Never Let Me Go
Chapter 15: Fifteen
by Ishiguro, KazuoIn Chapter Fifteen, Kathy and Tommy share a quiet moment together after the others have left, discussing Ruth’s recent behavior. Tommy dismisses her comments as mere venting, insisting that their origins or “models” don’t define them. Kathy agrees, though her mood is subdued. Their conversation shifts when Tommy reveals he had been searching for a replacement for Kathy’s lost Judy Bridgewater tape, a sentimental item from their time at Hailsham. His earnest but clumsy efforts to find it in a Woolworth’s store earlier that day end in failure, as he couldn’t recall the tape’s details. Kathy is touched by his thoughtfulness, and their shared nostalgia lightens the atmosphere.
The pair decide to embark on a spontaneous search for the tape in Norfolk, playfully embracing the idea of it being the “lost corner of England.” Tommy’s childlike belief in the possibility of finding it amuses Kathy, but she humors him, suggesting they look in second-hand shops. Their quest becomes less about the tape and more about the joy of spending time together, exploring dusty stores filled with eclectic items. The experience rekindles a sense of carefree connection, as they lose themselves in the thrill of the hunt, momentarily forgetting the weight of their circumstances.
As they rummage through various shops, their focus shifts from the tape to the simple pleasure of each other’s company. Kathy describes the warmth she feels during this shared adventure, a rare moment of uncomplicated happiness. Tommy’s enthusiasm is infectious, and even when their initial searches prove fruitless, they continue with lighthearted determination. The chapter captures the bittersweet beauty of their bond, as the search becomes a metaphor for their deeper longing for meaning and connection in a world that often denies them both.
The chapter culminates in Kathy’s unexpected discovery of the tape in a second-hand shop. Her reaction is mixed—surprise, hesitation, and even a fleeting desire to ignore it, as its appearance threatens to end their joyful escapade. When she finally shows it to Tommy, his skepticism mirrors her own ambivalence. The moment is poignant, underscoring how the tape symbolizes both their shared past and the fleeting nature of happiness. The chapter ends on an unresolved note, leaving their emotions and the significance of the find open to interpretation.
FAQs
1. How does Tommy attempt to comfort Kathy after Ruth’s upsetting remarks, and what does this reveal about their relationship?
Answer:
Tommy reassures Kathy by dismissing Ruth’s comments as mere venting, emphasizing that their origins (their “models”) don’t define them. He repeatedly says, “It’s not worth getting upset about,” showing his protective instinct (Chapter Fifteen). This reveals their deep emotional bond—Tommy prioritizes Kathy’s feelings, and she responds physically by bumping his shoulder, signaling mutual comfort. His effort to deflect Ruth’s negativity highlights his loyalty to Kathy and their shared history at Hailsham, where they developed a nuanced understanding of each other’s emotional needs.2. Analyze the significance of Tommy’s quest to find Kathy’s lost tape. How does this subplot reflect broader themes in their lives?
Answer:
Tommy’s search for Judy Bridgewater’s tape symbolizes his desire to restore something precious Kathy lost, mirroring their attempts to reclaim fragments of their childhood at Hailsham. The tape represents nostalgia and the fragility of memory—Tommy forgets its title, just as their past becomes hazy. Their playful hunt through Norfolk (“the lost corner of England”) parallels their larger search for meaning and identity in a world that treats them as expendable. The moment they find the tape underscores bittersweet joy: it’s a fleeting triumph in a life marked by impermanence.3. How does the tone shift when Kathy and Tommy begin searching for the tape, and what literary devices contribute to this change?
Answer:
The tone shifts from melancholic to whimsical as their search becomes an adventure. Imagery like “dusty boxes lit up by a shaft of sun” creates a sense of warmth and possibility. Kathy’s internal monologue (“every cloud had blown away”) uses metaphor to convey sudden optimism. Their laughter and competition over bric-a-brac employ lighthearted dialogue, contrasting earlier tension. This shift highlights how small joys temporarily eclipse their grim reality, emphasizing the novel’s theme of finding beauty in transience.4. Why does Kathy hesitate when she finds the tape, and what does this reveal about her character?
Answer:
Kathy pauses because the tape’s discovery threatens to end their shared moment of carefree connection. She considers hiding it, fearing the return to reality—where the tape symbolizes a childish attachment she’s “supposed to have grown out of.” This reveals her self-awareness and vulnerability: she clings to nostalgia but feels embarrassed by its persistence. Her conflict reflects the clones’ struggle to reconcile their human emotions with society’s dehumanization of them, as even small pleasures are tinged with complexity.5. Evaluate the role of Norfolk as a symbolic setting in this chapter. How does it connect to the novel’s larger exploration of loss and hope?
Answer:
Norfolk, dubbed “the lost corner of England,” mirrors the clones’ marginalized existence—a place where misplaced things (and people) might be found. It represents both hope (Tommy’s belief in miracles) and futility (Kathy’s skepticism). Their actual discovery of the tape there subverts expectations, suggesting that meaning can emerge from randomness. This duality reflects the novel’s tension between fate and agency, as characters navigate a world that denies them permanence yet allows ephemeral moments of connection.
Quotes
1. “It’s just talk. The guardians never told us anything like that.”
This quote captures Tommy’s attempt to rationalize and dismiss troubling rumors, reflecting the clones’ conditioned acceptance of their fate and their reliance on authority figures (the guardians) for truth. It reveals the psychological coping mechanisms they’ve developed at Hailsham.
2. “I just said to myself, one day I’ll go to Norfolk and I’ll find it there for her. The lost corner of England.”
Tommy’s earnest belief in the mythical “lost corner” concept shows how the clones cling to childhood legends and small hopes. This moment foreshadows their later realization that these comforting myths (like Norfolk being a place for lost items) are just illusions.
3. “Everything suddenly felt perfect: an hour set aside, stretching ahead of us, and there wasn’t a better way to spend it.”
Kath’s reflection captures a rare, joyful moment of normalcy and connection between the clones. The tape search becomes symbolic of their fleeting attempts to reclaim childhood innocence and human experiences denied to them.
4. “I stood there quite still, looking at the plastic case, unsure whether or not I was delighted.”
This complex reaction to finding the tape reveals how the clones’ relationship to their past is fraught with ambiguity. The moment symbolizes how achieving long-held desires can be bittersweet when it means confronting difficult truths about one’s identity and limitations.