Never Let Me Go
Chapter 14: Fourteen
by Ishiguro, KazuoThe chapter begins with Kathy and her friends leaving their accommodation in a somber mood, their initial excitement faded. Tensions are palpable, particularly between Ruth and Tommy, while Rodney and Chrissie seem suspicious that Kathy and the others are hiding secrets about Hailsham. The group navigates narrow streets before reaching the bustling High Street, where Rodney and Chrissie suggest buying birthday cards in bulk at Woolworth’s. Ruth is visibly annoyed, but the group enters the store, where Kathy finds comfort in the cheerful atmosphere. Meanwhile, Ruth and Chrissie engage in a private conversation about a rumored Hailsham secret, which Kathy inadvertently interrupts, worsening the group’s strained dynamics.
Inside Woolworth’s, the group disperses to explore different aisles, and Kathy overhears Ruth and Chrissie discussing the rumored secret. Chrissie presses Ruth about why she hasn’t pursued the mystery, to which Ruth responds that Hailsham students have always known they could investigate if they wanted. When Kathy is noticed, Ruth gives her a hostile look, deepening the tension. The group eventually leaves the store, and Rodney leads them on a frustrating search for an office where he claims to have seen Ruth’s “possible”—a woman who might be her genetic predecessor. After several wrong turns, they finally spot the office, which resembles a cozy, modern workplace.
Through the glass front, they observe a woman in her fifties who shares some physical traits with Ruth, including her hairstyle and facial expressions. The group watches intently until office workers notice them, causing them to flee in playful panic. Outside, they excitedly discuss the resemblance, relieved that the woman aligns with Ruth’s expectations. Ruth remains quiet but seems cautiously pleased, and the others support her, hoping the discovery will lift her spirits. The chapter hints at a temporary reprieve from the day’s tensions, as the group believes the encounter has validated Ruth’s hopes.
However, Ruth suggests they wait and observe the woman again, revealing her lingering uncertainty. Chrissie agrees a bit too eagerly, hinting at unresolved tensions beneath the surface. The chapter ends on an ambiguous note, leaving open whether this discovery will truly resolve Ruth’s inner conflict or if the group’s underlying issues will resurface. The encounter with the “possible” serves as a pivotal moment, blending hope with the ever-present shadows of their shared past and unspoken grievances.
FAQs
1. How does the mood shift among the characters from the beginning to the end of their outing, and what events contribute to this change?
Answer:
The mood begins tense and somber, with the group walking in silence through narrow backstreets, their “rotten mood” barely concealed (p. 1). The tension stems from unresolved conflicts—likely Ruth’s earlier confrontation with Tommy and suspicions about Hailsham secrets. A temporary lift occurs in Woolworth’s, where the narrator finds cheer in the store’s lively atmosphere (p. 2). However, Ruth’s private conversation with Chrissie about the “rumour” (possibly related to Hailsham’s mysteries) reignites tension, especially when the narrator overhears (p. 3). The discovery of Ruth’s “possible” (her potential model) briefly unites the group in excitement, but Ruth’s insistence on revisiting the office hints at lingering unease (p. 5). The outing thus cycles through tension, fleeting relief, and unresolved conflict.
2. Analyze the significance of the office scene. How does it reflect themes of identity and aspiration in the novel?
Answer:
The office represents a idealized, “self-contained world” (p. 4) of normalcy that contrasts with the clones’ uncertain futures. Its details—potted palms, shared lunches, laughter—mirror Ruth’s fantasies of a conventional life, making her potential connection to the woman in blue emotionally charged. The group’s collective relief (“none of us wanted Ruth to return home despondent,” p. 5) underscores their shared longing for validation and human connection. Yet the scene’s voyeuristic nature (they flee when noticed, p. 4) highlights their outsider status. This moment encapsulates the novel’s exploration of identity: the clones grapple with borrowed dreams while confronting the impossibility of truly belonging in the human world.
3. What role does setting play in this chapter, particularly in Woolworth’s and the office?
Answer:
Settings act as emotional barometers. The cramped backstreets mirror the group’s stifled tensions (p. 1), while Woolworth’s—with its “bright plastic toys” and tolerant atmosphere (p. 2)—offers temporary escape, symbolizing youthful nostalgia and a rare space where clones aren’t scrutinized. The office, by contrast, is a stage for Ruth’s aspirations; its transparency (the “big glass front,” p. 4) ironically contrasts with the opacity of her origins. The characters’ movement through these spaces reflects their liminality: they are observers, not participants, in human spaces, reinforcing their marginalization.
4. How does Ruth’s behavior in this chapter reveal her internal conflicts?
Answer:
Ruth oscillates between defiance and vulnerability. Her “dirty look” (p. 3) at the narrator for overhearing her conversation suggests defensiveness about Hailsham’s secrets, yet her silent intensity while observing the office (p. 4) reveals longing. Her half-smile (p. 5) and later insistence on revisiting the office betray unresolved tension: she craves validation but fears disappointment. This mirrors her broader struggle to reconcile her clone identity with human aspirations. Her aggression (e.g., earlier “having a go at Tommy,” p. 1) masks deeper insecurity about her place in the world.
5. Why might the author include the detail of Rodney and Chrissie mocking the group by suggesting they buy generic birthday cards?
Answer:
The birthday card exchange (p. 2) serves multiple purposes. It highlights the veterans’ (Rodney and Chrissie) performative normalcy—their insistence on mundane rituals like card-giving underscores their own insecurities about being clones. The mockery (“something a little bit mocking around the edges of his smile”) also isolates the Hailsham group, emphasizing social hierarchies even among clones. Additionally, the cards’ implied sameness (“a lot of cards the same”) subtly mirrors the clones’ manufactured existence, foreshadowing themes of individuality versus predestination explored later in the novel.
Quotes
1. “It was a relief to come out onto the High Street where the noise made our rotten mood less obvious.”
This quote captures the tension among the characters after their earlier excitement has faded, highlighting how external distractions can momentarily mask interpersonal conflicts. It sets the tone for the strained dynamics that unfold throughout the chapter.
2. “Today, if I’m in a town and find myself with some time to kill, I’ll stroll into somewhere just like that, where you can hang around and enjoy yourself, not buying a thing, and the assistants don’t mind at all.”
This reflective moment reveals the narrator’s enduring appreciation for simple, unpressured spaces—a contrast to the emotional weight of their mission. It offers insight into the protagonist’s personality and coping mechanisms.
3. “If you were from Hailsham, then you’d see. It’s never been such a big deal for us. I suppose we’ve always known if we ever wanted to look into it, all we’d have to do is get word back to Hailsham…”
This cryptic exchange hints at the deeper mysteries surrounding Hailsham and the characters’ shared history. The interrupted conversation creates suspense about the institution’s role in their lives and future choices.
4. “It looked like a smart, cosy, self-contained world.”
This observation of the office environment encapsulates both the allure and alienation the characters feel toward “normal” adult lives. The description underscores the thematic tension between their reality and the conventional world they observe through glass.
5. “Regardless of what had been going on between us that day, deep down, none of us wanted Ruth to return home despondent.”
This moment of group solidarity amidst interpersonal tension reveals the complex bonds between the characters. It shows how shared history and unspoken care persist even during conflict.