Never Let Me Go - Context

Question 1

Explain the medical breakthroughs context

Answer 1

1990’s development of cloning (Dolly) and cloning at a cellular level in stem cell research (farming cells to construct organs for donation)

Question 2

Explain the Medical and Scientific Ethics context

Answer 2

Scientific developments prompted ethical debate. The novel presumes a more complex system of organ farming - biological and ethical issues in background

Question 3

Explain the Literary context

Answer 3

Literary tradition of science fiction: there are links to Frankenstein, Brave New World, The Handmaid’s Tale, Remains of the Day

Question 4

Describe Kazuo Ishiguro as the author

Answer 4

Nobel Prize for Literature winner (2017). Moved to Britain from Japan when he was young - his father had a new job.