Never Let Me Go

Question 1

Part 1

Answer 1

chap 1 - 9
- In Part 1 of Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro, the story is narrated by Kathy, a “carer,” who reflects on her childhood at Hailsham, a boarding school in England. The students are raised with a strong emphasis on creativity and health but are subtly prepared for a mysterious future. Kathy forms close bonds with her friends Tommy and Ruth.

Question 2

Part 2

Answer 2

chap 10 -17
-In Part 2 of Never Let Me Go, Kathy, Ruth, and Tommy leave Hailsham and move to the Cottages, a group of farmhouses where they live more independently. They begin to learn more about the outside world and their roles as donors. Tensions grow between Kathy and Ruth due to Ruth’s controlling behavior and her relationship with Tommy. Kathy begins to feel distant from the others and starts considering becoming a carer.

Question 3

Part 3

Answer 3

chap 18 - 23
- In Part 3 of Never Let Me Go, Kathy is now a carer, looking after donors as they go through organ donations. She reconnects with Ruth and Tommy, who are now donors themselves. Ruth, regretful of her past actions, encourages Kathy and Tommy to pursue the rumored deferrals and gives them Madame’s address. Kathy and Tommy visit Madame and Miss Emily, who reveal that deferrals don’t exist and that the students’ art was collected to prove clones had souls. Heartbroken, Kathy and Tommy accept their fate. Ruth dies after her donations, and Tommy completes soon after. Kathy is left alone, preparing for her own future as a donor.

Question 4

Kathy

Answer 4

The supporter and the narrator of the novel. Kathy H. is a thirty-one-year-old carer who wants to make sense of her memories before becoming a donor at the end of the year.

Question 5

Tommy

Answer 5

Kathy’s childhood friend, also a student at Hailsham. As a child, Tommy struggles with “being creative” and is teased for his lack of artistic abilities. He develops a violent temper, which he later learns to control.

Question 6

Ruth

Answer 6

Kathy’s childhood friend and a fellow student at Hailsham. Ruth grows up with Kathy at Hailsham, where Ruth’s charming and emontional personality makes her the natural leader in their friend group.

Question 7

Miss Emily

Answer 7

The head guardian at Hailsham. Miss Emily is older than the other guardians, and the students generally find her intimidating. However, they respect her decisions and her presence at Hailsham makes them feel safe. Miss Emily has a stern manner and a sharp mind

Question 8

Miss Lucy

Answer 8

One of the guardians at Hailsham. Miss Lucy has a brisk but sympathetic attitude, and works mostly with the older students. She is conflicted about her role at Hailsham, where she believes that the guardians are not explicit enough with the students about their futures.

Question 9

Madame

Answer 9

A Hailsham benefactor. Madame occasionally visits Hailsham to take away the best student artwork, which she is rumored to place in a personal gallery. Her attitude to the students is distant and cold, leading them to believe that she is afraid of them.

Question 10

Miss Geraldine

Answer 10

A kind and sympathetic guardian at Hailsham. Miss Geraldine works primarily with the younger students. The students adore her. Miss Geraldine teaches art classes.

Question 11

Themes

Answer 11

1. The Power of Memory
2. Value of human life
3. Growing up
4. Losing and finding
5. donation
6. Individual goals vs social expectations

Question 11

Structure of book

Answer 11

• 3 parts
• bildungsroman or coming-of-age novel, that follows the education of Kathy H. and her friends from childhood to adulthood.
• bildungsroman is a german word meaning bildung (education or forming) and Roman (novel)