Moment 2 - Ruth Pencil Case Flashcards
“Didn’t we all dream from time to time about one guardian…doing something special for us?
clones are fundamentally human and desire elements of the human experience (like having parents)–even those elements to which they have never been exposed.
strict rules at Hailsham discourage human intimacy; any special relationship with a guardian is strictly forbidden and must be conducted in secret.
intimacy is the only way the clones rebel against the system. - Tommy and Kathy deferrals
“I can see the thing now” “shiny like a polished shoe”
“My actions seemed to me”
“I don’t know what I expected”
Image burned into memory. Jealousy of Ruth and craving for parental relation still within her today
“I can see the thing now” vs “I don’t know what I expected”
Juxtaposes mindset before and after her “plan”. Change from clarity in language to haziness shows her emotions led her to lose autonomy –> link to “my actions seemed to me…”. Kathy loses control of herself as if a different person.
Furthermore, the analogy of a shiny shoe reflects the lack of exposure to the outside world as the only example the clones know of something shiny is merely a shoe.
“Let’s just agree…she gave us all a knowing smile…”
Deceitful nature and perception of superiority above others.
Indulges in fantasy to compensate for lack of normal relationships and human love.
“knowing” - arrogance of Ruth. Audacity to belittle others for her own gain - Kathy feels jealous and inferior. Intention shown through, “as she’d intended me to” - shows conscientious of malice
“Sometimes I’d see that one of these moments was coming… I’d brace myself”
High frequency. Obvious to Kathy but unavoidable. “brace” emotional impact translates to physical pain. Expected pain from Ruth, showing issues in their relationship
“there was fog and drizzle that day” “ruth walked off into the rain”
I1- “fog and drizzle” shield vision, only see what is directly in front of you. Kathy blinded by emotions and doesn’t foresee negative repercussions
I2 - Representative of shrouding truth. Ruth chooses to indulge in fantasy over reality
“gorgeous item like that wouldn’t have gone unnoticed”
High value on such meaningless and trivial items.
“this was the opportunity I’d been waiting for”
“opportunity” - looks forward to this as something to gain. Perverted view of friendship - nothing positive gained, mere delusion
“Been waiting” - actively “planning” and hoping to undermine Ruth as jealousy clouds her judgement. Persistent and malicious
“All this effort, all this planning just to upset my dearest friend”
Repetition of “all”, encompassed vast amounts of time. Reinforces the sheer amount of thought she has invested.
Also conveys her frustration at her actions as they seem alien to her. “Just” - realisation of the fruitlessness of actions
“Planning” - pre-meditated, conscious choices over extensive period of time. Reflects her own jealously and feelings of inferiority to Ruth that cloud her judgement.
“My behaviour seemed to me utterly baffling”
“I now felt awful and I was confused”
Analyzing own actions as she disassociates herself immediately after. Her actions seem so alien to her that they are as if done by another.
“baffling”, “confused” - reflects change in emotions and confidence in herself. Can’t comprehend her own actions
“I was never the sort of kid who brooded over things for hours”
Highly ironic as contrasts with actions - “planning”, “fantasies”. Suggests great disparity from her own perception AND reality.
