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.