Madame

Question 1

“Poor creatures. I wish I could help you. But now you’re by yourselves.”

Chapter 22, around page 276-279

Answer 1

• The phrase “poor creatures” is patronizing, showing that even though Madame pities the clones, she still sees them as different from real humans.
• Her resignation emphasizes how society has abandoned the clones.
• Highlights a key theme: pity without action is meaningless—Madame feels sorry for them but does nothing to change their fate.

Question 2

“We’re all afraid of you. I myself had to fight back my dread of you almost every day I was at Hailsham.”

Chapter 22, around page 262-265

Answer 2

• Madame admits the deep-rooted fear society has toward clones, despite raising them in Hailsham.
• The phrase “fight back my dread” suggests that she sees them as unnatural, reinforcing the idea that they are fundamentally outsiders.
• This shows how prejudice works—even those who claim to care about clones still instinctively see them as “other.”

Question 3

“You believe this? That you’re deeply in love? And therefore you think you should have a special treatment?”

Chapter 22, around page 271-274

Answer 3

• Madame’s skepticism toward the idea of deferrals shatters Tommy and Kathy’s hope.
• The phrase “special treatment” is ironic—Kathy and Tommy only wanted to live a little longer, not be treated as equals.
• This moment reinforces how the clones are powerless, as even those who once “helped” them never believed in giving them real rights.

Question 4

“There was no truth in the rumour. I’m sorry. I truly am.”

Chapter 22, around page 272-275

Answer 4

• Madame confirms that deferrals were never real, destroying any last hope Tommy and Kathy had.
• Her apology feels empty—she acknowledges the cruelty of their fate, but does nothing to change it.
• Shows how the clones were given false hope, making their suffering even worse.

Question 5

[When Madame sees Kathy and the other students at Hailsham, she looks at them with “revulsion” and fear.]

Chapter 6, around page 67-70

Answer 5

• Madame’s disgusted reaction to the clones, despite advocating for them, reveals her subconscious prejudice.
• The contrast between her public support for Hailsham and her personal fear of the clones highlights the hypocrisy of society.
• This moment foreshadows the revelation that even the people who “cared” for the clones never truly saw them as human.