"...and though the tears rolled down my face, I wasn't sobbing or out of control." Page 288
The completion of Tommy and Ruth seem to have little effect on Kathy. Perhaps it is from her many years as a carer. She has been around pain, suffering, and death for so long that she no longer feels its loss. She is indeed sad, but as she said, not "out of control". This immunity to such grief is disturbing. Ishiguro ended the novel on a perfect note, making the reader question the emotional stability of Kathy. Her simple acceptance of her best and closest friend's deaths seems grotesquely insensitive compared to what the norm is in our own society. Perhaps this serves to contrast further clones from normal people.
Friday, August 12, 2011
The Gallery
"'Didn't the Gallery exist either?'" Page 259
The concept of the Gallery was so important to these two, especially being Halisham students, that even in young adulthood they refuse to let it go. Tommy even foolishly brought drawings of his own to prove his sincerity in his love to Kathy. One would think they would grow out of such an idea. However, this just yet again proves the effectiveness of conditioning. What's more is the real purpose of the Gallery, to prove that the clones had souls. Perhaps it was shock, but these two students seem numb to the reality of the situation.
The concept of the Gallery was so important to these two, especially being Halisham students, that even in young adulthood they refuse to let it go. Tommy even foolishly brought drawings of his own to prove his sincerity in his love to Kathy. One would think they would grow out of such an idea. However, this just yet again proves the effectiveness of conditioning. What's more is the real purpose of the Gallery, to prove that the clones had souls. Perhaps it was shock, but these two students seem numb to the reality of the situation.
You Can't Handle the Truth
""Now, I'll try and answer your questions the best I can.'" Page 257
Kathy and Tommy come upon a very unfortunate truth. Deferrals don't exist. Although crushed, they still learn much about themselves and the sort of world they live in. They discover that they are clones, hated by the world. However, they reacted rather cooly when given this news. Why do they accept that they are repulsive to others? Why do they not try to fight back? Perhaps it's because they were conditioned, even from a very early age, to accept that they were different somehow. Had I been in their shoes, I would have reacted rather differently.
Kathy and Tommy come upon a very unfortunate truth. Deferrals don't exist. Although crushed, they still learn much about themselves and the sort of world they live in. They discover that they are clones, hated by the world. However, they reacted rather cooly when given this news. Why do they accept that they are repulsive to others? Why do they not try to fight back? Perhaps it's because they were conditioned, even from a very early age, to accept that they were different somehow. Had I been in their shoes, I would have reacted rather differently.
What Is Love?
"'The main thing is, I kept you and Tommy apart.'" Page 233
Ruth reveals to Kathy her inner conflict. It seems that throughout the years, even back when Tommy and Ruth first became a couple, Ruth knew Tommy and Kathy were meant to be. She intentionally kept them apart, isolated and unhappy. One might wonder why she did such a cruel thing. However I believe it had to do with her own personal insecurities when it came to Kathy. She tried to prove she was better in that she had who Kathy wanted. It was malicious to say the least, but understandable.
Ruth reveals to Kathy her inner conflict. It seems that throughout the years, even back when Tommy and Ruth first became a couple, Ruth knew Tommy and Kathy were meant to be. She intentionally kept them apart, isolated and unhappy. One might wonder why she did such a cruel thing. However I believe it had to do with her own personal insecurities when it came to Kathy. She tried to prove she was better in that she had who Kathy wanted. It was malicious to say the least, but understandable.
Theories
"Ruth said in a mock whisper: 'Tommy's big gallery theory!'" Page 193
Throughout the story, we time and time again hear of theories. Even when Kathy was much younger, her group had a theory that someone was trying to kidnap Miss Geraldine. Up until the very end, when she and Tommy went on a search for theoretical deferrals, theories keep popping up. This is very peculiar, and hints that even from an early time, the clones felt insecure about themselves and consequently made theories. Many times, these theories are ridiculous and juvenile, but their existence alone means something more. Students grow up never knowing the truth about anything.
Throughout the story, we time and time again hear of theories. Even when Kathy was much younger, her group had a theory that someone was trying to kidnap Miss Geraldine. Up until the very end, when she and Tommy went on a search for theoretical deferrals, theories keep popping up. This is very peculiar, and hints that even from an early time, the clones felt insecure about themselves and consequently made theories. Many times, these theories are ridiculous and juvenile, but their existence alone means something more. Students grow up never knowing the truth about anything.
Protagonist
"My name is Kathy H." Page 3
Kathy is the protagonist of the novel. As it progresses, we see her struggles, both external and internal. We go through her significant experiences and watch her grow up. We see her deal with problems the best way she knows how to. Throughout this, we get to know Kathy as a character quite well. Even up to the end, when Ruth is completed and Tommy follows, we see that she keeps her head up. Yes, there is sadness. But Kathy goes on, unafraid and ready for whatever lies ahead.
Kathy is the protagonist of the novel. As it progresses, we see her struggles, both external and internal. We go through her significant experiences and watch her grow up. We see her deal with problems the best way she knows how to. Throughout this, we get to know Kathy as a character quite well. Even up to the end, when Ruth is completed and Tommy follows, we see that she keeps her head up. Yes, there is sadness. But Kathy goes on, unafraid and ready for whatever lies ahead.
Motivation
"All this effort, all this planning, just to upset my dearest friend." Page 60
This episode reveals much about Kathy as a character. Her motivation for her actions is simply to humiliate and put down her best friend. This reveals that from a very early age, Kathy loathed Ruth. However it also shows that she is a decent and moral girl, because of the guilt she felt about the whole incident. This indirect characterization gives us insight into the kind of person Kathy is. Additionally, this could be seen as a sort of foreshadowing for the future conflicts with Ruth and Kathy. And again, it could foreshadow their ultimate relationship. They made up and became friends again, just as after this problem.
This episode reveals much about Kathy as a character. Her motivation for her actions is simply to humiliate and put down her best friend. This reveals that from a very early age, Kathy loathed Ruth. However it also shows that she is a decent and moral girl, because of the guilt she felt about the whole incident. This indirect characterization gives us insight into the kind of person Kathy is. Additionally, this could be seen as a sort of foreshadowing for the future conflicts with Ruth and Kathy. And again, it could foreshadow their ultimate relationship. They made up and became friends again, just as after this problem.
Flashbacks
"But that's not really what I want to talk about just now. What I want to do now is get a few things down about Ruth, about how we met and became friends, about our early days together." Page 45
Ishiguro is apparently a huge fan of flashbacks. This entire novel, start to finish, is basically a compilation of flashbacks of Kathy's past. Perhaps there is a point to this though. Ishiguro might be hinting at the true solitary loneliness Kathy feels in her later life. If she is constantly remembering and reflecting, then she must have lots of time to herself. Additionally, it is interesting that as the book progresses on, the flashbacks also change. In the beginning they are short stories about a significant event. but later on, especially around the times at the cottages, they change into chapter long narrations on a particular event.
Ishiguro is apparently a huge fan of flashbacks. This entire novel, start to finish, is basically a compilation of flashbacks of Kathy's past. Perhaps there is a point to this though. Ishiguro might be hinting at the true solitary loneliness Kathy feels in her later life. If she is constantly remembering and reflecting, then she must have lots of time to herself. Additionally, it is interesting that as the book progresses on, the flashbacks also change. In the beginning they are short stories about a significant event. but later on, especially around the times at the cottages, they change into chapter long narrations on a particular event.
Anthropomorphism
"I loved visiting her there, loved those meandering talks we had." Page 18
To meander is to wander at random. Ishiguro here uses personification to describe the conversation. Every reader can relate to meandering, wandering around at random. The flow of the conversation followed this pattern. It weaved in and out of relevance, of important events of their lives or minor details. Through his use of personification, Ishiguro is utilizing descriptive writing. The concept of meandering conversations also says much about Ruth and Kathy's redeveloping relationship. They seem to be becoming carefree friends once again, which hand't occurred in years.
To meander is to wander at random. Ishiguro here uses personification to describe the conversation. Every reader can relate to meandering, wandering around at random. The flow of the conversation followed this pattern. It weaved in and out of relevance, of important events of their lives or minor details. Through his use of personification, Ishiguro is utilizing descriptive writing. The concept of meandering conversations also says much about Ruth and Kathy's redeveloping relationship. They seem to be becoming carefree friends once again, which hand't occurred in years.
Anaphora
"...all our differences- while they didn't exactly vanish- seemed not nearly as important as all the other things: like the fact that we had grown up together at Halisham, the fact that we knew and remembered things no one else did." Page 5
Ishiguro here uses anaphora to emphasize Kathy's point. His repetition of "the fact that" further proves her connection with Ruth. Although they had been friends throughout their childhood and young adulthood, this is not first what Kathy remembers. She simply feels a connection to her because of Halisham. This is ironic, since later on in the book they sit and reminisce for hours about their times together. Yet this is an example of how the terms between the former best friends weren't at all their best when they last saw each other. This connection with Ruth also brings out something in Kathy: a sense of superiority. She somehow feels that because they attended Halisham, they are somehow better than everyone else and more entitled to privileges.
Ishiguro here uses anaphora to emphasize Kathy's point. His repetition of "the fact that" further proves her connection with Ruth. Although they had been friends throughout their childhood and young adulthood, this is not first what Kathy remembers. She simply feels a connection to her because of Halisham. This is ironic, since later on in the book they sit and reminisce for hours about their times together. Yet this is an example of how the terms between the former best friends weren't at all their best when they last saw each other. This connection with Ruth also brings out something in Kathy: a sense of superiority. She somehow feels that because they attended Halisham, they are somehow better than everyone else and more entitled to privileges.
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