"The memories I value most, I don't see them ever fading. I lost Ruth, then I lost Tommy, but I won't lose my memories of them." -pg. 286
As the book ended, Tommy had passed away and Kathy is on her own. This quote perfectly wraps up the entire book. The anechdotes Kathy uses seem as if they happened to her yesterday. Her memories of Hailsham, the Cottages, Ruth, and Tommy are impecable. The whole story is told through her memories, and I believe they will never fade. One of the many themes of this story, I believe, are the importance of memories. After they donate all they can and have completed, all the students have left are memories. These memories are what make them actually human and not only clones. These memories make the whole process a little less inhumane. Hailsham and the Cottages also made the whole cloning and donating process less inhumane. This books creates a weird reality that may not be far off in today's world. It also creates a weird feeling within that makes you wonder if the whole process could be true or right.
Friday, July 8, 2011
Never Let Me Go 19
"We took away your art because we thought it would reveal your souls. Or to put it more finely, we did it to prove you had souls at all." -pg. 260
This chapter finally explains the whole book for me. While I thought Hailsham and the rest of the world was so inhumane to clone humans for donations, I realize it is the complete opposite. The clones, which we call students, can cure cancer, heart disease, or anything. These students have basically taken disease out of the world. Now that I look at it, these students seem not even human. Hailsham was out to prove they were human. This brings me so much more insight and respect for Hailsham and Miss Emily and Madame who ran Hailsham. The reason the students were not taught math and science was because it would be useless to them. The art and poetry was to prove they had souls and were actually human, even if they were cloned. Hailsham makes total sense to me now, and brings a complete sadness. It saddens me to think these students are not truly human, and the world sees them as robots. It saddens me even more that I think of them as only robots as well, and that they only have one purpose in life--to save others' lives.
This chapter finally explains the whole book for me. While I thought Hailsham and the rest of the world was so inhumane to clone humans for donations, I realize it is the complete opposite. The clones, which we call students, can cure cancer, heart disease, or anything. These students have basically taken disease out of the world. Now that I look at it, these students seem not even human. Hailsham was out to prove they were human. This brings me so much more insight and respect for Hailsham and Miss Emily and Madame who ran Hailsham. The reason the students were not taught math and science was because it would be useless to them. The art and poetry was to prove they had souls and were actually human, even if they were cloned. Hailsham makes total sense to me now, and brings a complete sadness. It saddens me to think these students are not truly human, and the world sees them as robots. It saddens me even more that I think of them as only robots as well, and that they only have one purpose in life--to save others' lives.
Never Let Me Go 18
"So that feeling came again...that we were doing all of this too late; that there'd once been a time for it, but we'd let that go by, and there was something ridiculous, reprehensible even, about the way we were now thinking and planning." -pg. 242
This particular quote applies to many aspects of the story as it is now. Ruth has died, and Kathy is caring for Tommy. The two start having sex, talking more, and even talk about going to see Madame. Their plan is to convince Madame into giving them a few years off to themselves because they are in love. Although I do not know what will happen, I believe the plan will not work. The two have so many theories about their art and getting years off, but I believe none of them are true. All of these theories could just be rumors. In the final chapters, I suspect disappointment in going to see Madame. Kathy keeps trying to bring back Hailsham into her present, yet that time has past. Her feeling of doing all this too late is true--it should have happened long before. However, I forsee them only being disappointed in the future for not moving on from Hailsham.
This particular quote applies to many aspects of the story as it is now. Ruth has died, and Kathy is caring for Tommy. The two start having sex, talking more, and even talk about going to see Madame. Their plan is to convince Madame into giving them a few years off to themselves because they are in love. Although I do not know what will happen, I believe the plan will not work. The two have so many theories about their art and getting years off, but I believe none of them are true. All of these theories could just be rumors. In the final chapters, I suspect disappointment in going to see Madame. Kathy keeps trying to bring back Hailsham into her present, yet that time has past. Her feeling of doing all this too late is true--it should have happened long before. However, I forsee them only being disappointed in the future for not moving on from Hailsham.
Never Let Me Go 17
"But just for once, as she was twisting herself in a way that seemed scarily unnatural...she looked straight at me and she knew exactly who I was." -pg. 236
This chapter has great significance in Tommy, Ruth, and Kathy's relationship. As Kathy is caring for Ruth, they decide to pick Tommy up and go on a fieldtrip to see a boat. During this fieldtrip, Ruth makes a statement about how she's sorry she kept Tommy and Kathy from eachother and they were meant to be together all along. Not long after, Ruth died after her second donation. The quote above, however, describes the significant moment Kathy and Ruth had before she died. Even though there had been tensions before, the two became best friends again. This significant chapter makes the whole book a cycle. Their friendship is taken back to Hailsham days, even after it has closed. The real signficance between the three friends is that no matter what tore them apart, Hailsham and their past brought them back together. In that moment before Ruth died, they promised without words that Kathy would become Tommy's donor.
This chapter has great significance in Tommy, Ruth, and Kathy's relationship. As Kathy is caring for Ruth, they decide to pick Tommy up and go on a fieldtrip to see a boat. During this fieldtrip, Ruth makes a statement about how she's sorry she kept Tommy and Kathy from eachother and they were meant to be together all along. Not long after, Ruth died after her second donation. The quote above, however, describes the significant moment Kathy and Ruth had before she died. Even though there had been tensions before, the two became best friends again. This significant chapter makes the whole book a cycle. Their friendship is taken back to Hailsham days, even after it has closed. The real signficance between the three friends is that no matter what tore them apart, Hailsham and their past brought them back together. In that moment before Ruth died, they promised without words that Kathy would become Tommy's donor.
Never Let Me Go 16
"I'd meant us, all the students who'd grown up with me and were now spread across the country, carers and donors, all separated now but still somehow linked by the place we'd come from." -pg. 212
At this point in the book, Kathy has finished talking about her time at Hailsham and the Cottages and is talking about her current time as a donor. Particularly, we find out that Hailsham has closed. Shocked and upset, Kathy reflects on this, and I would like to reflect as well. The whole point of the connections of the characters in this book is the fact they all went to Hailsham. Yes, we meet new characters at the Cottages, but all the talk is still at Hailsham. The closing of Hailsham represents the closing of a huge chapter in Kathy's life, as well as the rest of the students. In the book particularly, it represents the closing of the stories of Hailsham. We now move into a new chapter in Kathy's life, which is her life as a carer. The closing of Hailsham lets the reader know we are moving on to a point in Kathy's life where she reflects and learns new things.
At this point in the book, Kathy has finished talking about her time at Hailsham and the Cottages and is talking about her current time as a donor. Particularly, we find out that Hailsham has closed. Shocked and upset, Kathy reflects on this, and I would like to reflect as well. The whole point of the connections of the characters in this book is the fact they all went to Hailsham. Yes, we meet new characters at the Cottages, but all the talk is still at Hailsham. The closing of Hailsham represents the closing of a huge chapter in Kathy's life, as well as the rest of the students. In the book particularly, it represents the closing of the stories of Hailsham. We now move into a new chapter in Kathy's life, which is her life as a carer. The closing of Hailsham lets the reader know we are moving on to a point in Kathy's life where she reflects and learns new things.
Never Let Me Go 15
"Ruth, don't give me that. There's no way you've forgotten." -pg. 202
The above quote has been said about three times in the past few chapters. This quote is called a refrain. Kathy has repeated this over and over to Ruth when talking about Hailsham. Ruth puts on a front that she doesn't remember certain things about Hailsham that she would not forget. The purpose of this refrain is to show Kathy's frustration with Ruth. It also shows the reader how naive Ruth is being by pretending to forget all this stuff about Hailsham. The refrain is effective because I actually get frustrated with Ruth and can relate to Kathy. Because Ruth keeps "forgetting" and Kathy has to repeat the same sentence, I am disappointed in Ruth's changes. She has wanted to forget about Hailsham and keeps pretending she has.
The above quote has been said about three times in the past few chapters. This quote is called a refrain. Kathy has repeated this over and over to Ruth when talking about Hailsham. Ruth puts on a front that she doesn't remember certain things about Hailsham that she would not forget. The purpose of this refrain is to show Kathy's frustration with Ruth. It also shows the reader how naive Ruth is being by pretending to forget all this stuff about Hailsham. The refrain is effective because I actually get frustrated with Ruth and can relate to Kathy. Because Ruth keeps "forgetting" and Kathy has to repeat the same sentence, I am disappointed in Ruth's changes. She has wanted to forget about Hailsham and keeps pretending she has.
Never Let Me Go 14
"For all their busy, metallic features, there was something sweet, even vulnerable about each of them." -pg. 188
Kathy is describing Tommy's drawings as if they have human qualities. This is known as an anthropomorphism, or personification. Tommy has shown Kathy his drawings of animals. However, she sees them with nails and metallic features. Drawings aren't physically sweet or vulnerable, because they do not talk or have emotion. This anthropomorphism is effective because it brings the pictures to life. It also relates the reader to the feeling Kathy got while looking at Tommy's drawings. These creatures in his drawings were done in such a way that gave Kathy a feeling of innocence and vulnerability. The personification relates that feeling towards the reader.
Kathy is describing Tommy's drawings as if they have human qualities. This is known as an anthropomorphism, or personification. Tommy has shown Kathy his drawings of animals. However, she sees them with nails and metallic features. Drawings aren't physically sweet or vulnerable, because they do not talk or have emotion. This anthropomorphism is effective because it brings the pictures to life. It also relates the reader to the feeling Kathy got while looking at Tommy's drawings. These creatures in his drawings were done in such a way that gave Kathy a feeling of innocence and vulnerability. The personification relates that feeling towards the reader.
Never Let Me Go 13
"Let's have a bit of fun pretending." -pg. 166
The example above is a paradox. A paradox is an apparent contradiction that somehow reveals a little truth. The contradiction is the "fun" and "pretending". Those words don't have the same connotation. Fun has good connotation, and pretending is not a good thing. This paradox is very effective in that way. Contradicting two opposite words makes you realize how wrong the statement is. The paradox is effective because the students, while roaming around town, were actually trying to have fun while pretending Ruth's possible was really a "possible". While the statement sounds as if it is nonsense, it has loads of truth in it. The students pretended that a successful office worker was able to be Ruth's possible. However, possibles are probably not that successful in real life. The purpose of the paradox was to make the reader realize the foolishness of their outing into town.
The example above is a paradox. A paradox is an apparent contradiction that somehow reveals a little truth. The contradiction is the "fun" and "pretending". Those words don't have the same connotation. Fun has good connotation, and pretending is not a good thing. This paradox is very effective in that way. Contradicting two opposite words makes you realize how wrong the statement is. The paradox is effective because the students, while roaming around town, were actually trying to have fun while pretending Ruth's possible was really a "possible". While the statement sounds as if it is nonsense, it has loads of truth in it. The students pretended that a successful office worker was able to be Ruth's possible. However, possibles are probably not that successful in real life. The purpose of the paradox was to make the reader realize the foolishness of their outing into town.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Never Let Me Go 12
"As it turned out, though, it was just about the last moment like that between me and Ruth for the rest of that ougoing." -pg. 149
This chapter is a perfect example of tone and tone shift. The tone at the beginning of the chapter is light-hearted and adventurous. The gorup of students from the Cottages are adventuring into town to find Ruth's possible. Demonstrated in this quote, the tone shifts from light-hearted to tense. It foreshadows that Ruth and Kathy will have tensions in the following scene. The purpose of this tone is to direct the story towards frustration and tension between the two friends. The tense tone emphasizes how much Ruth and Kathy are changing as people and how their frienship is changing. Tensions are rising between the two girls and in their relationship.
This chapter is a perfect example of tone and tone shift. The tone at the beginning of the chapter is light-hearted and adventurous. The gorup of students from the Cottages are adventuring into town to find Ruth's possible. Demonstrated in this quote, the tone shifts from light-hearted to tense. It foreshadows that Ruth and Kathy will have tensions in the following scene. The purpose of this tone is to direct the story towards frustration and tension between the two friends. The tense tone emphasizes how much Ruth and Kathy are changing as people and how their frienship is changing. Tensions are rising between the two girls and in their relationship.
Never Let Me Go 11
"I suppose it was mainly us newcomers who talked about dream futures that winter, though a number of veterans did too." -pg. 142
At the Cottages, many of the younger kids talked about things called "dream futures". Dream futures were what they could picture themselves doing if they weren't born to be a donor. This is comparable to The Giver. In that book, they are trained to do only one job, and at an early age. However, we find out in this chapter that these kids were not born. They were "modeled" after another person. They assume it's an adult, yet are not sure of the age. The thought of not physically birthing children baffles me. These kids have no parents or family, and are made like machines. Dream futures are not in their reach because of the way they were made. Although our technology is close to achieving this, I could not imagine creating humans in such an inhumane way.
At the Cottages, many of the younger kids talked about things called "dream futures". Dream futures were what they could picture themselves doing if they weren't born to be a donor. This is comparable to The Giver. In that book, they are trained to do only one job, and at an early age. However, we find out in this chapter that these kids were not born. They were "modeled" after another person. They assume it's an adult, yet are not sure of the age. The thought of not physically birthing children baffles me. These kids have no parents or family, and are made like machines. Dream futures are not in their reach because of the way they were made. Although our technology is close to achieving this, I could not imagine creating humans in such an inhumane way.
Never Let Me Go 10
"What I'm saying is that we were all of us struggling to adjust to our new life, and I suppose we all did things back then we later regretted." -pg. 131
This part of the story is easily relatable to teenage and high school life. Things are changing as they move to the Cottages from Hailsham. I could compare it to moving from middle school to high school. People mature, yet are still childish in some ways. Ruth and Kathy are changing as well. Tommy and Ruth are a couple again. However, they are different this time. They both start picking up on the habits the veteran couples have. This is comparable to freshman looking up to seniors. The kids are still naive. Looking back, they regret the dumb arguments and decisions. Anyone can relate to that feeling.
This part of the story is easily relatable to teenage and high school life. Things are changing as they move to the Cottages from Hailsham. I could compare it to moving from middle school to high school. People mature, yet are still childish in some ways. Ruth and Kathy are changing as well. Tommy and Ruth are a couple again. However, they are different this time. They both start picking up on the habits the veteran couples have. This is comparable to freshman looking up to seniors. The kids are still naive. Looking back, they regret the dumb arguments and decisions. Anyone can relate to that feeling.
Never Let Me Go 9
"It was like when you make a move in chess and just as you take your finger off the piece, you see the mistake you've made, and there's this panic." -pg. 124
This analogy is very effective in more ways than one. First off, it accurately describes how Kathy was feeling. This is the first time Kathy and Ruth have argued. Now that they have moved into the Cottages, their surroundings as well as themselves are changing. The analogy of a feeling of moving a chess piece is effective because games are universal. The "mistake made" during chess is relatable and opens your opponent up to many options to take you down. Another reason this analogy is effective is because they previously had played chess at Hailsham. The author is bringing back a previous topic in order to connect the feeling.
This analogy is very effective in more ways than one. First off, it accurately describes how Kathy was feeling. This is the first time Kathy and Ruth have argued. Now that they have moved into the Cottages, their surroundings as well as themselves are changing. The analogy of a feeling of moving a chess piece is effective because games are universal. The "mistake made" during chess is relatable and opens your opponent up to many options to take you down. Another reason this analogy is effective is because they previously had played chess at Hailsham. The author is bringing back a previous topic in order to connect the feeling.
Never Let Me Go 8
"...how stupid he was being,...how differently they'd do things next time around, how they'd keep much more private, how they'd have sex in better places at better times." -pg. 105
The quote above is an example of an anaphora. Kathy is talking about her talk with Ruth. Ruth told her that things would be different between her and Tommy if they got back together. The purpose of the anaphora is to demonstate the way Ruth went on and on about her new relationship with Tommy. Kathy had to listen to Ruth tell her these things many times. It is effective because the repeated "how" gives the reader a drolling effect that goes on and on. This feeling is expressed by Kathy through the anaphora. It really gives the reader a taste of what Kathy was feeling at the time and why.
The quote above is an example of an anaphora. Kathy is talking about her talk with Ruth. Ruth told her that things would be different between her and Tommy if they got back together. The purpose of the anaphora is to demonstate the way Ruth went on and on about her new relationship with Tommy. Kathy had to listen to Ruth tell her these things many times. It is effective because the repeated "how" gives the reader a drolling effect that goes on and on. This feeling is expressed by Kathy through the anaphora. It really gives the reader a taste of what Kathy was feeling at the time and why.
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