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    Never Let Me Go

    by Ishiguro, Kazuo
    Kazuo Ishiguro’s “Never Let Me Go” is a poignant dystopian novel exploring themes of identity, mortality, and the ethics of human cloning. The story follows Kathy H., a caregiver reflecting on her childhood at Hailsham, an isolated English boarding school where students are raised to become organ donors. As Kathy reconnects with her friends Ruth and Tommy, they confront their predetermined fate and the fleeting nature of their existence. Ishiguro’s restrained prose and subtle world-building underscore the novel’s meditation on love, loss, and what it means to be human. A haunting and thought-provoking work, it challenges readers to consider the moral implications of scientific advancement.
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    Never Let Me Go

    Chapter 16: Sixteen

    by Ishiguro, Kazuo

    After return­ing from their Nor­folk trip, Kathy, Ruth, and Tom­my avoid dis­cussing it, leav­ing oth­ers to spec­u­late. Ruth remains silent, pos­si­bly due to embar­rass­ment or a desire to main­tain mys­tery, and the oth­ers fol­low her lead. This secre­cy allows Kathy to hide the fact that Tom­my bought her a Judy Bridge­wa­ter tape, though she occa­sion­al­ly wish­es to share it with Ruth. The tape becomes a guilty secret, and its even­tu­al dis­cov­ery by Ruth hap­pens at an unfor­tu­nate time, adding to the ten­sion between them.

    As spring arrives, more vet­er­ans leave the Cot­tages to begin train­ing, cre­at­ing a mix of envy and unease among those who remain. The depar­tures of Alice F. and Gor­don C., both from Hail­sham, mark a shift in the atmos­phere, mak­ing the real­i­ty of their futures more pal­pa­ble. Rumors about defer­rals for cou­ples in love resur­face, but the group who went to Nor­folk, includ­ing Chrissie and Rod­ney, now avoid such dis­cus­sions. The “Nor­folk effect” lingers, even affect­ing Kathy and Tommy’s con­ver­sa­tions about his Gallery the­o­ry.

    One excep­tion occurs when Tom­my shows Kathy his intri­cate draw­ings of imag­i­nary ani­mals in the dilap­i­dat­ed goose­house. The draw­ings, far more detailed than Kathy expect­ed, reveal Tommy’s cre­ativ­i­ty and vul­ner­a­bil­i­ty. Though she strug­gles to offer whole­heart­ed praise, she is drawn to the crea­tures, sens­ing Tommy’s under­ly­ing wor­ries about their imprac­ti­cal­i­ty. The men­tion of Madame, a fig­ure from Hail­sham, cre­ates an awk­ward moment, hint­ing at unre­solved ten­sions about their past and future.

    Tom­my con­tem­plates whether to keep his art­work pri­vate or share it more open­ly, as oth­er vet­er­ans do with their cre­ative pur­suits. Kathy’s hes­i­ta­tion to praise him reflects her uncer­tain­ty about the draw­ings’ sig­nif­i­cance and her con­cern for Tommy’s emo­tion­al state. The chap­ter under­scores the grow­ing unease among the char­ac­ters as they grap­ple with their iden­ti­ties, rela­tion­ships, and the loom­ing inevitabil­i­ty of their roles in soci­ety.

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    FAQs

    • 1. Why did Kathy and the others avoid discussing the Norfolk trip after their return?

      Answer:
      The group maintained silence about the Norfolk trip primarily out of deference to Ruth, waiting for her to take the lead in sharing details. Ruth herself remained closed on the subject, possibly due to embarrassment over how her encounter with her “possible” (a rumored biological relative) had unfolded or because she enjoyed the mystery it created. This collective reluctance allowed rumors to circulate until interest eventually faded. Kathy also mentions her own secret—Tommy’s gift of the Judy Bridgewater tape—which she withheld, further contributing to the atmosphere of secrecy (Chapter Sixteen).

      2. How does the departure of veterans and Hailsham peers affect the atmosphere at the Cottages?

      Answer:
      The increasing departures of veterans and Hailsham students like Alice F. and Gordon C. create a mix of envy and unease among those remaining. While the departures suggest entry into a “bigger, more exciting world,” they also heighten anxiety about the inevitable future awaiting the clones—training and eventual donations. The exodus disrupts the Cottages’ social dynamics, making the reality of their purpose harder to ignore. Rumors about deferrals for couples in love resurface, but even Chrissie and Rodney, who once fueled such talk, now avoid the topic, reflecting a growing tension (Chapter Sixteen).

      3. Analyze the significance of Tommy’s animal drawings and Kathy’s reaction to them.

      Answer:
      Tommy’s drawings—intricate, mechanical yet vulnerable creatures—symbolize his attempt to reconcile his artistic expression with the unresolved question of Madame’s Gallery at Hailsham. Kathy’s hesitant praise stems from her uncertainty about their artistic merit and fear of reigniting past conflicts over creativity’s role in their lives. Her mention of Madame creates tension, hinting at lingering hopes that art might prove their humanity. The drawings also reveal Tommy’s inner world: his preoccupation with protection and functionality mirrors his anxieties about their fragile existence (Chapter Sixteen).

      4. How does the “Norfolk effect” manifest in Kathy and Tommy’s interactions post-trip?

      Answer:
      The “Norfolk effect” refers to their unspoken avoidance of deeper conversations, particularly about Tommy’s Gallery theory, despite their earlier closeness during the trip. This distance is broken only once—when Tommy shares his drawings in the goosehouse. Their reluctance to engage suggests unresolved emotional baggage from the trip or fear of confronting painful truths. Even then, their exchange is tinged with awkwardness, especially when Kathy mentions Madame, highlighting how the trip’s unresolved questions continue to haunt them (Chapter Sixteen).

      5. What role does secrecy play in this chapter, and how does it impact relationships?

      Answer:
      Secrecy operates on multiple levels: the group’s silence about Norfolk, Kathy’s concealment of Tommy’s gift, and Tommy’s private artwork. These omissions create emotional barriers, as seen in Kathy’s guilt over the tape and Tommy’s cautious sharing of his drawings. Secrecy also fuels rumors (e.g., deferrals for couples), which the group avoids discussing, suggesting a collective avoidance of hope or disappointment. Ultimately, these silences strain trust and intimacy, as characters prioritize self-preservation over vulnerability (Chapter Sixteen).

    Quotes

    • 1. “The odd thing about our Norfolk trip was that once we got back, we hardly talked about it. So much so that for a while all kinds of rumours went around about what we’d been up to.”

      This opening line establishes the chapter’s central mystery—the unspoken tension surrounding the Norfolk trip—while revealing the characters’ tendency toward secrecy and the social dynamics at the Cottages.

      2. “As spring came on, there seemed to be more and more veterans leaving to start their training, and though they left without fuss in the usual way, the increased numbers made them impossible to ignore.”

      This quote captures the growing unease about the students’ inevitable fate (training for organ donation), marking a turning point where their carefree existence gives way to unavoidable reality.

      3. “For all their busy, metallic features, there was something sweet, even vulnerable about each of them. I remembered him telling me, in Norfolk, that he worried, even as he created them, how they’d protect themselves or be able to reach and fetch things.”

      This description of Tommy’s artwork reveals the deeper thematic connection between his fantastical creatures and the students’ own vulnerable existence, mirroring their anxieties about survival and protection.

      4. “I wonder what Madame would say if she saw these.”

      This seemingly casual remark carries significant weight, invoking the mysterious Madame and the Gallery—key elements of the novel’s exploration of art, humanity, and the students’ purpose.

      5. “I suppose I’ll have to get a lot better before she gets to see any of it.”

      Tommy’s response reveals his lingering hope about the Gallery’s purpose and his artistic validation, representing the students’ desperate search for meaning in their constrained lives.

    Quotes

    1. “The odd thing about our Norfolk trip was that once we got back, we hardly talked about it. So much so that for a while all kinds of rumours went around about what we’d been up to.”

    This opening line establishes the chapter’s central mystery—the unspoken tension surrounding the Norfolk trip—while revealing the characters’ tendency toward secrecy and the social dynamics at the Cottages.

    2. “As spring came on, there seemed to be more and more veterans leaving to start their training, and though they left without fuss in the usual way, the increased numbers made them impossible to ignore.”

    This quote captures the growing unease about the students’ inevitable fate (training for organ donation), marking a turning point where their carefree existence gives way to unavoidable reality.

    3. “For all their busy, metallic features, there was something sweet, even vulnerable about each of them. I remembered him telling me, in Norfolk, that he worried, even as he created them, how they’d protect themselves or be able to reach and fetch things.”

    This description of Tommy’s artwork reveals the deeper thematic connection between his fantastical creatures and the students’ own vulnerable existence, mirroring their anxieties about survival and protection.

    4. “I wonder what Madame would say if she saw these.”

    This seemingly casual remark carries significant weight, invoking the mysterious Madame and the Gallery—key elements of the novel’s exploration of art, humanity, and the students’ purpose.

    5. “I suppose I’ll have to get a lot better before she gets to see any of it.”

    Tommy’s response reveals his lingering hope about the Gallery’s purpose and his artistic validation, representing the students’ desperate search for meaning in their constrained lives.

    FAQs

    1. Why did Kathy and the others avoid discussing the Norfolk trip after their return?

    Answer:
    The group maintained silence about the Norfolk trip primarily out of deference to Ruth, waiting for her to take the lead in sharing details. Ruth herself remained closed on the subject, possibly due to embarrassment over how her encounter with her “possible” (a rumored biological relative) had unfolded or because she enjoyed the mystery it created. This collective reluctance allowed rumors to circulate until interest eventually faded. Kathy also mentions her own secret—Tommy’s gift of the Judy Bridgewater tape—which she withheld, further contributing to the atmosphere of secrecy (Chapter Sixteen).

    2. How does the departure of veterans and Hailsham peers affect the atmosphere at the Cottages?

    Answer:
    The increasing departures of veterans and Hailsham students like Alice F. and Gordon C. create a mix of envy and unease among those remaining. While the departures suggest entry into a “bigger, more exciting world,” they also heighten anxiety about the inevitable future awaiting the clones—training and eventual donations. The exodus disrupts the Cottages’ social dynamics, making the reality of their purpose harder to ignore. Rumors about deferrals for couples in love resurface, but even Chrissie and Rodney, who once fueled such talk, now avoid the topic, reflecting a growing tension (Chapter Sixteen).

    3. Analyze the significance of Tommy’s animal drawings and Kathy’s reaction to them.

    Answer:
    Tommy’s drawings—intricate, mechanical yet vulnerable creatures—symbolize his attempt to reconcile his artistic expression with the unresolved question of Madame’s Gallery at Hailsham. Kathy’s hesitant praise stems from her uncertainty about their artistic merit and fear of reigniting past conflicts over creativity’s role in their lives. Her mention of Madame creates tension, hinting at lingering hopes that art might prove their humanity. The drawings also reveal Tommy’s inner world: his preoccupation with protection and functionality mirrors his anxieties about their fragile existence (Chapter Sixteen).

    4. How does the “Norfolk effect” manifest in Kathy and Tommy’s interactions post-trip?

    Answer:
    The “Norfolk effect” refers to their unspoken avoidance of deeper conversations, particularly about Tommy’s Gallery theory, despite their earlier closeness during the trip. This distance is broken only once—when Tommy shares his drawings in the goosehouse. Their reluctance to engage suggests unresolved emotional baggage from the trip or fear of confronting painful truths. Even then, their exchange is tinged with awkwardness, especially when Kathy mentions Madame, highlighting how the trip’s unresolved questions continue to haunt them (Chapter Sixteen).

    5. What role does secrecy play in this chapter, and how does it impact relationships?

    Answer:
    Secrecy operates on multiple levels: the group’s silence about Norfolk, Kathy’s concealment of Tommy’s gift, and Tommy’s private artwork. These omissions create emotional barriers, as seen in Kathy’s guilt over the tape and Tommy’s cautious sharing of his drawings. Secrecy also fuels rumors (e.g., deferrals for couples), which the group avoids discussing, suggesting a collective avoidance of hope or disappointment. Ultimately, these silences strain trust and intimacy, as characters prioritize self-preservation over vulnerability (Chapter Sixteen).

    Note