Dystopia, Hailsham and Tommy's Tantrum Flashcards
Prose Revision
In what year was the novel published?
2005
In what time and place is the novel set?
‘England, late 1990s’
The novel is most obviously influenced by the conventions of which genre?
Dystopia
Which word (beginning with o) means all-powerful and could be used to describe the anonymous ‘they’ of the novel?
omnipotent
What does ‘omnipotent’ mean and who/what could be described like this?
omnipotent = all-powerful. This could be used to describe the anonymous ‘they’ authority figure of the novel.
In the opening chapters, how does Kathy refer to the faceless authority that she works for?
‘they’
Which word (beginning with e) means a mild or indirect word used instead of one that might be deemed too harsh?
euphemism
What is a euphemism?
A mild or indirect word that is used instead of one that might be deemed too harsh.
What are some examples of euphemisms used in the novel?
‘carer’, ‘donor’, ‘recover centres’, ‘completing’
Why does Ishiguro present a society full of euphemisms - e.g. ‘complete’ is used instead of die.
To show how society does not want to face the blunt truth of what is taking place; language has been adapted to make the cloning programme seem less horrific.
Which word (beginning with v) means creating the appearance of reality?
verisimilitude
What does ‘verisimilitude’ mean?
The appearance of reality
What are some of the ways that Ishiguro creates verisimilitude?
Through referring to real places (e.g. Dover, Norfolk etc.) and real things (e.g. Walkmans, the novel Daniel Deronda etc.)
Why is the novel set in ‘England, late 1990s’ and not some futuristic alternate reality (as might be expected of a dystopian text)
Ishiguro wants to make the horrific events of the novel seem plausible.
Which word (beginning with n) means a longing for the past?
nostalgia
Which does nostalgic mean?
A longing for the past
Which word (beginning with n) might we use to describe Kathy’s narrative voice, and particularly her view of Hailsham?
nostalgic
‘there are times over the years when I’ve tried to leave _______ behind’ (page 4)
Hailsham
‘the view from the Art room over the fields on a ________ morning’ (page 5)
foggy
‘I might pass the corner of a ______ field’ (page 5)
misty
‘Maybe that’s it! I’ve found it! This actually is __________’ (page 6)
Hailsham
‘it reminded me of those _________ little cottages people always had in picture books’ (page 6)
sweet
‘row of windows _________ high up’ (page 6)
unnaturally
‘down the side of a _______ even a particular arrangement of poplar trees up on a hillside’ (page 6)
valley
‘One day I’ll __________/__________/__________ like that’ (page 6)
crash the car
Which phrase is repeated throughout the novel to make Kathy’s story seem directly relevant to the reader?
‘I don’t know what it was like where you were…’ (page 13, (page 67, page 94 etc.)
‘all we could see was a __________ fringe of trees, but I wasn’t the only one to feel their presence night and day’ (page 49)
dark
‘It’s just as well the fences at Hailsham aren’t ______________’ (page 77)
electrified
What is the significance of Miss Lucy describing that ‘It’s just as well the fences at Hailsham aren’t electrified’ (page 77)
This slightly unnerving observation by Miss Lucy shows how Hailsham is perhaps not as idyllic as Kathy suggests, but rather is a place of boundaries and hidden restrictions.
What is the significance of the ‘dark fringe of trees’ around Halsham?
It presents this setting as somewhat sinister and foreboding, contrasting Kathy’s idyllic depiction.
What is the significance of Hailsham being described as being like ‘those sweet little cottages people always had in picture books’
It presents how Kathy sees it as idyllic and a place of innocence; however, it also suggests that there is something slightly unreal and fictional about this perspective.
When first describing Hailsham, Kathy describes a ‘foggy morning’ (page 5) and a ‘misty field’ (page 5) - why?
This presents Hailsham as slightly mysterious and romantic, but also suggests that Kathy’s memories of it are hazy and somewhat unreliable.
What is the significance of the repeated exclamations used by Ishiguro when Kathy talks about Hailsham, e.g: ‘Maybe that’s it! I’ve found it! This actually is Hailsham!’?
It conveys her excitement about Hailsham and her desire to recapture her past there.
During his first tantrum, how is Tommy described animalistically?
he’s describes as ‘like a dog doing a pee’ (p10) and called a ‘Mad animal’ (p12)
During his first tantrum, Ruth refers to Tommy as a ‘mad….
animal (p12)
Who is described as ‘flinging his limbs about, at the sky, at the wind, at the nearest fence post’?
Tommy during his first tantrum.
What is the significance of Tommy being described as a ‘mad animal’ (p12) and compared to ‘a dog doing a pee’ (p10)?
It shows how the other children see his as ‘other’ and lesser than them, due to his lack of creativity.
What is significant about Tommy’s tantrum being compared to ‘like he was doing Shakespeare’ (p11)
It shows how the other children see his tantrums as exaggerated and theatrical; however, it also conveys how they view Tommy’s upset as a form of entertainment.
During his first tantrum what do the other children call Tommy, suggesting they see his reluctance to be creative as lazy?
a ‘layabout’ (p10)
What is the technique used by Ishiguro when he describes Tommy to be ‘flinging his limbs about, at the sky, at the wind, at the nearest fence post’?
The listing used conveys the uncontrolled and deeply emotional nature of Tommy’s tantrum.
