Final Reaction

"I lost Ruth, then I lost Tommy, but I won't lose my memories of them." - pg. 286

I figured you can listen to this song while you read my blog.

First I'm going to attempt to answer all of the questions I had at the beginning of the book.

1. What is a carer, recovery center, and donor (in relation to the book). The carers take care of the donors at the recovery center. That was common sense, I don't know why I didn't know.
2. What is so important about creativity in this society? It proved that they had souls.
3. Is Hailsham simply a school, or is it more than that? It's more. It's a place that basically raised clones that would be used for donation of organs.
4. Does Tommy have something wrong with him other than the fact that he doesn't have to be creative if he doesn't want to? No. Tommy is awesome.
5. Did Kathy realize there was something strange about their school, kind of how Bernard realized there was something strange about the World State in Brave New World? Yes and no. She knew more than some people, but she didn't have everything figured out. No one did.
6. What do they have against last names? They're not really coming from a family, so I think the last initial is just kind of there.

Now to my reaction. I genuinely like this book a lot! It had more of an actual, relatable plot to it than Brave New World. I also really enjoyed that it was a love story. I'm just all around happy with this book. The ending was somewhat sad, but most good books are sad at times. It makes it so much better!

Tommy = my favorite

"'Maybe I did know, somewhere deep down. Something the rest of you didn't.' " - pg. 275

Tommy is seriously my favorite character. He is so in love with Kathy and I think he knows that things aren't ever going to be perfect. It sort of breaks my heart. When it comes down to it, they're clones that will never get to live a full and happy life. I can see how the entire argument that's basically Team Emily or Team Lucy is very tough to pick a side for, but I am strongly going to agree with Miss Lucy. I know that Miss Emily and Madame were trying their hardest to give the students normal lives, but they did nothing to prepare them for the time when they left school. They were simply left alone to be used by other people. It would be nice to actually be aware of that before it happens in my opinion. Personally, I think cloning is a topic that I'm not even sure I can take a stance on yet. I realize it's creepy and very unfair to the actual clones, but if there was a way to make just the actual organs, not full humans, I'd be less hesitant. People's opinions change when they are affected personally by a disease that could've possible been cured. There are multiple different views in this novel, and I think I'll stick with Miss Lucy although I don't agree 100% at all. 

Kathy the Protagonist and... Miss Emily?!

"But now she was there in front of me, most of what I'd prepared seemed either unnecessary or completely wrong." - pg. 252

I needed to blog about one more literary term, so I'll briefly discuss how Kathy is the clear protagonist in this novel. She is the driving force behind everything that happens. Whether it is a quarrel with Ruth, an in depth talk with Tommy, or just standing up for someone at Hailsham, Kathy is the center of this entire novel. She even keeps Tommy in line when they go to visit Madame in this chapter. Ishiguro's writing leading up to the end of chapter 21 is incredible. I was trying to read and comprehend so quickly so I could figure out what was going on. I practically felt like I was sitting in a dark room with that nagging feeling that someone is watching me. I am still in shock a little that Miss Emily is the one in the shadows. I have no idea why she's there, but I don't think it's good, because Madame seems to feel awful for whatever is going to unfold. 

Kathy and Tommy

"We'd been thinking about the deferrals, the theory about the Gallery, all of it, for so long - and now, suddenly, here we were." - pg. 244

I called it! Not really called, I guess, more just hope for it! Kathy and Tommy are finally together. There's still 3 chapters left in this book, and if anything depressing happens I will be very upset. They've literally waited their entire lives to be together. They're best friends, and now they finally get the chance to be a couple. As much as I love the 2 of them together, I understand where Kathy is coming from when she talks about the feeling that it's too late. Most of these situations happened at Hailsham or the Cottages, but now they're out in the real world. I think I'll choose to ignore that feeling right now and hope for the best. Kathy seems to be doing the same. She is so excited right now to visit Madame, and I sincerely hope everything works out. 

Rising Action

"'The main thing is, I kept you and Tommy apart.'" - pg. 232

Ruth finally saw the light! I don't know what made her want to make up for everything she'd done, but she finally redeemed herself. It makes me really happy to know that she died at peace with her and Kathy and Tommy's friendship. All of chapter 19 (it was a very long chapter) seemed like rising action. New developments kept coming up and lots of unexpected things happened. I didn't think. Ruth actually apologized for everything and she also found Madame's address. She turned out to be a truly great friend to Kathy, even though it took quite a few years. Kathy seemed so at peace with Ruth's "completion". I feel like the three of them have grown up so much since the beginning of the novel; their friendship was so much stronger than I expected.

Extended Metaphor

"I though about Hailsham closing, and how it was like someone coming along with a pair of shears and snipping the balloon strings just where they entwined above the man's fist."

This metaphor was awesome! I don't know how people think of things like this! It makes it so much more understandable when something is stated like this. The Hailsham kids had grown up together and they seemed bonded in a way that was very special, but then they're just thrown out into the world to fend for themselves. It really is just like balloons. They have no allegiance to each other after they are released, so the wind takes them in different directions. It doesn't mean some won't end up in the same place, but it also doesn't ensure that some won't end up stranded or get popped. The same thing happens when the Hailsham kids leave the actual school, and it happens on a larger scale when they leave to begin training. Most of them seem fine with this parting, but Kathy doesn't exactly know how to let go. Relating this with the title? Yes, of course!

Symbolism

"'You know, Ruth, we should try and sort it out, what happened the other day." - pg. 199

I think the bus shelters and barns that seem to surround the Cottages are very symbolic. The only problem is that I can't quite decide what exactly they symbolize. They just strike me as a safe place where they go to think and talk, a place where no one gets judged. It's certainty not an oasis or anything like that, because it isn't unreal nor does it guarantee happiness. It's just more of an honest place. Everyone seems to not be afraid to speak their mind there, no matter what the consequences may be. It's kind of like the sacrament of Reconciliation now that I think of it. It's just a place to escape to when you need to talk it out or think about things. With all the judging and petty drama that goes on at the Cottages, Kathy, Ruth, and Tommy need a place like those barns and shelters to get away and be alone. Of course, that's also the place where their friendship virtually broke off, but I think it's just a minor roadblock on their journey.

More Random Thoughts!

"Thats something that came to me years later, and probably wasn't a real option at the time, give the person I was, and they way the three of us were with each other." - pg. 195

Time for more bullet points!

• Ruth has been getting on my nerves lately, and I found yet another thing about her that irks me. She called Tommy sweet boy, sweety gums, and sweety all within about 4 lines of each other. My first thought was "she's so creative with her pet names..." , but then I remember the Jenna Marbles video that's all about awesome pet names. So now I'm just annoyed that Ruth couldn't think of something as wonderful as sparkly cupcake mouse or fluffy marshmallow kitten to call Tommy. He would have been flattered & wowed by her creativity. Double compliment! (I really hope someone who has seen this video reads this blog so it makes a little sense to someone). 
• I find it very odd that Ruth avoided talking about the cassette tape with Kathy. I really hope she doesn't bring it up later and suddenly become very offended. Although, judging by how she's acted thus far, I wouldn't put it past her.
• I think there's a specific hierarchy between the three friends. Ruth is definitely at the top of this a majority of the time. Kathy is a little bit to meek to be in charge, and she knows that. Tommy basically answers to the both of them. They all have unwritten rules with each other and I feel like I'm outside the loop a lot of the time. There friendship confuses me.

Dialect and another AHA! moment

"For the first weeks after we arrived, she made a big deal of it, always putting her arm around Tommy, sometimes snogging him in the corner of a room while other people were still about." - pg. 120

Snogging, rubbish, cottage, "dogs on leads", car parks, and lots of other words and phrases have been used multiple times by the author. If it wasn't clear enough on the first page, where it says "England, late 1990's", then the dialect would give the setting away. The only reason I know what snogging is, is because of Harry Potter (when Ron talks about Ginny and Dean) and the British movie Angus, Thongs, and Perfect Snogging that is on Nickelodeon sometimes. All of these British terms make this book all the more enjoyable, because everything is better when it's foreign! 


Now to my AHA! moment. I didn't think any of this talk about deferrals was true, but apparently it is. Tommy had a stroke of genius when he figured out that Madame's gallery is what reveals people's true soul. I am in shock that he could think of something so deep; he's a lot more intellectual than I thought. The scene when Kathy was dancing with her pillow must have really touched Madame. Too bad she's not in love with anyone. :( I hope there's still time for Tommy to realize he belongs with Kathy!

I don't like where this is going...

"But he had a smile on his face like he didn't expect for one moment to be blamed for anything." - pg. 165

I remember reading this and thinking "wow, Rodney is such a jerk". I don't know if that's what the author intended or not though. He makes Rodney and Chrissie out to be somewhat nice people who are just a little overbearing and annoying sometimes, but other times they are downright rude. They're like the Regina George from Mean Girls. 

She forces people to change their personality and basically controls their social life. That's what  Rodney and Chrissie seem to be doing to Ruth. It's quite aggravating, because Ruth is STILL with Tommy right now. She doesn't strike me as the kind of girl who deserves him. I think Tommy staying in town with Kathy at the end of chapter 14 might be the last straw in the relationship though. I guess I should keep reading and figure it out.

Mood

"A look had appeared in Tommy's eyes that made me catch my breath. It was one I hadn't seem for a long time and that belonged to the Tommy who'd had to be barricaded inside a classroom while he kicked over desks." - p. 155

The general mood from the trip to Norfolk, to my understanding, is an uncomfortable atmosphere where no one is truly acting like themselves. Chrissie and Rodney lied to Ruth about seeing her possible. Ruth is trying so hard to impress them, that she totally disregards Tommy and Kathy's feelings. The entire trip just sounded awkward. It seems like Ruth is that typical girl who wants so badly to be popular that she's willing to treat her real friends like dirt. I don't know why Tommy and Kathy put up with her. She doesn't sound like a good friend at all. 


The whole scene at the restaurant where Ruth basically makes fun of Tommy and Kathy reminds me of a Full House episode. I knew watching that show every day for years would come in handy some day! In the episode, Kimmy Gibbler befriends two older girls who seem so mature. She ditches DJ for them and realizes eventually that they were just using her. I think that's probably what is going to happen to Ruth eventually, if it's not already happening now.

Antithesis

"In those first months at the Cottages, our friendship had stayed intact because, on my side at least, I'd had this notion there were two quite separate Ruths." - p. 129

The antithesis in this chapter comes from Kathy's description of Ruth's split personalities. She can best be described as two-faced.

Just as I suspected, Ruth cares more about what people think of her than most people. I think she feels like the veterans are constantly judging her every move. She's very self conscious around them, which means she'll do anything to please them. I think this might be because she and Tommy had been considered a respected couple at Hailsham, and now the veterans see them as just more new kids at the Cottages. But then, Kathy describes Ruth in a way that makes her sound like an incredible best friend. The two of them talk and enjoy each others company just like my friends and I do,  and they also get over their petty fights and go back to normal by bedtime. They fight a lot more than my friends and I, but the way they can just talk and talk and talk together reminds me a lot of my best friends. I've figured out that Ruth and Kathy stay friends, because Kathy talks about caring for her in Dover. This is very reassuring, but it also makes me wonder what happened to make it that way.

Coping with the Cottages

"In those early months, we'd somehow developed this idea that how well you were settling in at the Cottages - how well you were coping - was somehow reflected by how many books you'd read." - p. 123

The Cottages seem like a small scale version of Hailsham. It can't be too positive if it's something they have to cope with. They still have people from the real world who seem to be judging them for being different. They still have to deal with the stress of couples and not looking too immature. Kathy is still friends with the exact same people, and she is still, I think, secretly very jealous of Ruth. I don't know if she's jealous of Ruth's relationship with Tommy, her new friends, or her apparent intelligence. So far, the Cottages seem to be bringing out the worst in people. They all are trying way to hard to impress each other. I hope Ruth and Kathy can come to an understanding soon, but mainly I just want Ruth and Tommy to break up. Tommy seems to be too nice and genuine for Ruth.

Satire? Maybe?

"If you can't find someone with whom you truly wish to share this experience, then don't!" - p. 98

There are so many thoughts running around in my head right now, so I'm going to use bullet points.

• I googled this movie because I wanted to know what charactrrs looked like, and I realized they have an incredibly attractive cast. Watching this movie when I'm done reading is probably my number one motivation right now. It's killing me to see videos and trailers when I know I can't watch them because they'll give too much away.

• Tommy and Ruth dated? What? From the beginning, Kathy has stuck with Tommy and Ruth has always been kind of annoying and arrogant in my opinion. If Tommy and Kathy don't end up together or something terrible happens I will be very upset. 

• Finally to the actual literary point: I think the entire eighth chapter is making fun of our current culture's obsession with sex. The satirical advice given to the students is basically "politically correct" advice given to teenagers by the media today. They're told that sex is "special" and they just need to be careful.  So naturally, sex is the normal, popular thing at Hailsham. The same is true in shows like Secret Like of the American Teenager, 90210, and Teen Mom. Of course these shows weren't around in 2005, when the book was first published, but media was still the same. Pressure to have sex is virtually everywhere, and I think Ishiguro was pointing out how outrageous it can be sometimes.

Lots of Connections

"You were brought into the world for a purpose, and your futures, all of them, have been decided." - p. 81

So the purpose of these kids lives is simply to donate their vital organs. I don't think it's a half bad idea, except for the fact that it totally takes advantage of letting people respectable human lives. This chapter brought about many connections to Brave New World. They both discuss technological advances that our society has developed, but they are taken to an extreme. The mass cloning if Brave New World is similar to the mass organ donation in Never Let Me Go. For the first time in Never Let Me Go, sex is discussed. It was a very popular discussion in Brave New World, and I think it will probably become more prominent in Never Let Me Go soon. The main difference I've seen is that the kids at Hailsham are taught that sex is a special thing to the outside world and they must treat it that way if they are ever to leave. In the world state, they had no consideration to how other cultures felt about things. They were ignorant to the point of being slightly unintelligent. The last similarity I noticed was that certain people in both communities are very educated about the outside world, but they don't like to share that fact. The Director knew all about the savage reservation, but that was not something to brag about. Miss Lucy seems to know things that no one else does, but she is also troubled by something. I think it  has something to do with the world beyond Hailsham, but I'm not sure what yet.

Imagery

"There'd be little villages with streams going through them, white monuments on hillsides, old churches beside fields; if she was telling us about a coastal place, there'd be beaches crowded with people, cliffs with seagulls." - pg. 65

The imagery used here sounds absolutely beautiful! Too bad Kathy and her peers have never seen it for themselves. I'm assuming they're confined to the countryside in England where the school was built. Kathy says that she's traveled throughout different counties as a carer, but I don't know exactly what that means. She seemed to be a little more knowledgeable about the outside world than some others as a child.

I'm also very curious about Norfolk. It seems so secretive and I think there may be something more there. Apparently lost things end up in Norfolk? And Kathy has been there? I'm a little confused, but I'm sure it'll clear up soon.

Just in case anyone was wondering (because I know I was), this is what the Norfolk coast looks like.

Blair Witch Project forest?!

"I certainly wasn't the only one of my age to feel their presence day and night. When it got bad, it was like they cast a shadow over the whole of Hailsham; all you had to do was turn your head or move towards a window and there they'd be, looming in the distance." p. 50

The creepy woods at Hailsham bring one thing to my mind - The Blair Witch Project. I watched this movie the summer before my freshman year, and I was terrified to say the least. The stories the Hailsham kids hear about this mysterious place paint a vivid picture of the woods in Maryland where the Blair Witch Project supposedly took place. The connection I made is really helping me understand how Kathy and Ruth feel about the woods. I'm legitimately scared for them to ever go there. I can see it now - they find a little stick man made of tree branches and before you know it they're disappearing and standing in corners like zombies. Hopefully this doesn't happen, but if anything like it does I can guarantee I'll be thoroughly creeped out. This whole situation with the secret guard, kidnapping plot, and Kathy being isolated from her group of friends strikes me as odd. I personally think the woods will come into play soon. I don't know how or when, but there seems to be something very strange about them; if this book is anything like Brave New World, then strange is a fairly prominent characteristic.

Writing this blog made me really want to watch The Blair Witch Project, so just in case you were wondering I'm going to go rent it now. So I'll probably be curled up in a corner for the rest of the night.