NLMG Quotes + AO2 Flashcards
What type of language does Kathy use a lot?
Euphemistic
“Donor” “carer”
What style of writing did Ishiguro use in NLMG?
Minimalistic
What type of narration is used by Kathy?
Non-linear; analepsis is used to tell her story
Why is Kathy referred to as ‘Kathy H’
- shows lack of significant identity
- level of anonymity (not fully a human)
Why is euphemistic language used?
- irony - sugarcoats the brutal reality of the clones lives that society doesn’t want to have to face
What is verisimilitude?
The use of familiarity. This is shown in NLMG with mentions to places such as Dorset and Norfolk. Reader has an empathetic response
Analyse: “the duck pond, the food”
- asyndetic listing to emphasise the positive aspects of Hailsham
- Kathy lists quite mundane things that she finds exciting - suggests an exceptional childhood in terms of what other clones have been subjected to
Analyse: “maybe that’s it! I’ve found it! This actually is Hailsham!”
- somewhat excessive use of exclamation marks presents Kathy’s excitement at the prospect of seeing Hailsham again
- deep emotional connection
Analyse:
“The corner of a misty field”
“In the distance”
- society has tried to hide the evidence of their transgressive behaviour by putting clones outside of society
- shows marginalised nature of clones existence
Analyse: “like a dog doing a pee”
“Mad animal”
- animalistic imagery used to dehumanise Tommy
- highlights social hierarchy among ‘othered’ characters - Tommy at the bottom of the hierarchy and is humiliated
Analyse: “like he was doing shakespeare”
- Tommy’s show of emotions seen as a spectacle
- emotions seen as a performance to entertain them
- ironic - Tommy’s emotions are very human like, which makes the other clone’s uncomfortable as it’s not the expected behaviour
Analyse: “Tommy never even tried to be creative”
- creativity seen as a valuable attribute in their society
- further others Tommy
Analyse Kathy’s reaction to Tommy:
“Immediately irritated me”
“I was genuinely angry”
- Tommy is highly emotional, which is different and more human to them, and makes them uncomfortable and is seen as a bad thing - ironic
- Tommy doesn’t confirm which angers the other clone as it highlights their own conformity
Analyse: “a good runner [who] would quickly open up ten, fifteen yards between him and the rest”
- positive aspect but irrelevant in their society
- individuality/ humanness
Analyse: “gleaming white tiles”
- cold and dystopian
- verisimilitude (similar to hospitals irl)
