Themes (Part 1)

Question 1

How is the power of memory established? (1)

Answer 1

• established from start of novel as key theme through flashback and idyllic descriptions of past

Question 2

What do the opening lines show about the theme of identity? (1)

Answer 2

‘ My name is Kathy H. I’m thirty-one years old, and I’ve been a carer now for over eleven years’
- establishes what Kathy believes her most important characteristics are

Question 3

How is the theme of art and creativity presented as important? (2)

Answer 3

• Kathy gets ‘genuinely angry’ when Tommy says Miss Lucy said creativity doesn’t matter

Question 4

How is the theme of freedom and confinement presented? (4)

Answer 4

• motif of war prevalent in description of Miss Emily’s assemblies: punishment, explosions, coercion - foreshadow what we learn about the controversy of clones in Chapters 21+22
• motif of war also signifies how they are like prisoners of war and have no freedom

Question 5

How is the theme of art and creativity presented? (9)

Answer 5

• Miss Lucy tells Tommy that being creative is important, and ’not just for evidence’ - this is ironic, as art is usually seen as the opposite of science and research