Tommy Flashcards
“The thing is, it might sound strange, but I think Miss Lucy was right. Not Miss Emily. Miss Lucy.”
Chapter 22, around page 272-275
- Tommy realizes that Miss Lucy’s honesty about the clones’ fate was better than the secrecy of Miss Emily.
- Highlights Tommy’s frustration with being kept in the dark.
- Shows his desire for the truth, even when it’s painful.
“I suppose it was a bit cruel. But sometimes that’s what I feel like doing.”
Chapter 3, around page 27-30
- Tommy acknowledges his outbursts of anger, often triggered by his sense of isolation.
- This suggests a lack of control over his emotions, which contrasts with Kathy’s calmness.
- Shows that deep down, he understands his actions but still struggles with them.
“The gallery, the drawings, the whole lot. It’s all just rubbish. It’s like they cast you out because you’re not creative.”
Chapter 15, around page 178-181
Tommy expresses bitterness about Hailsham’s emphasis on creativity.
His lack of artistic talent made him feel unworthy or different, reinforcing the novel’s themes of self-worth and conformity.
He later starts drawing animals obsessively, hoping it will prove he has a soul—a heartbreaking misunderstanding of how society views him.
“We all complete. Maybe none of us really understand what we’ve lived through, or feel we’ve had enough time.”
Chapter 23, around page 283-285
- One of Tommy’s most profound and tragic lines, acknowledging the inevitability of death.
- The word “complete” is chilling—it dehumanizes them, as if they’re fulfilling a task rather than living a life.
- Raises existential questions: do any of us truly understand our own lives before they end?
[Tommy’s final outburst and scream in the field]
Chapter 22, around page 277-280
- Symbolizes his frustration and helplessness upon realizing that hope for deferral was an illusion.
- His primal scream contrasts with Kathy’s quiet resignation, showing two different ways of dealing with their fate.
- This is one of the rawest emotional moments in the novel, highlighting how unfair their situation is.
Part 1 (5)
– The Outsider with a Temper
- often bullied for his lack of creativity and his temper tantrums.
- He struggles with fitting in, as he does not produce artwork that is valued by the school, leading to frustration and isolation.
- Miss Lucy offers him a new perspective, suggesting that creativity doesn’t define his worth. This boosts his confidence and helps him control his temper.
- His relationship with Kathy is established—she shows empathy toward him, and he begins to trust her.
Part 2 (4)
- Maturing and Searching for Meaning
- Tommy becomes more self-assured but remains naïve in some ways.
- He develops a relationship with Ruth, though it is clear that Kathy and he share a deeper connection.
- While he has grown emotionally, he still struggles with understanding human relationships
Part 3 ()
- Acceptance and Tragedy
- Tommy fully realizes the reality of his fate—he cannot escape donations, and deferrals do not exist.
- He rediscovers his bond with Kathy and confesses his long-standing feelings for her.
- In the end, he accepts his fate, preparing for his final donation, showing that he has grown from the frustrated child at Hailsham into someone who can confront his destiny with a sense of peace.
