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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 17: Seventeen

    by Ishiguro, Kazuo

    The chap­ter reflects on a piv­otal moment in the rela­tion­ships between Kathy, Ruth, and Tom­my, reveal­ing how a seem­ing­ly minor con­flict in the church­yard marked the begin­ning of their emo­tion­al dis­tance. Kathy ini­tial­ly dis­miss­es the inci­dent as triv­ial but lat­er real­izes it sym­bol­ized deep­er ten­sions pulling them apart. The bonds formed at Hail­sham, once unbreak­able, begin to fray as their pri­or­i­ties shift, par­tic­u­lar­ly with more stu­dents leav­ing to become car­ers. Kathy’s attempts to main­tain their shared aca­d­e­m­ic pur­suits feel increas­ing­ly futile, high­light­ing the ero­sion of their col­lec­tive iden­ti­ty.

    The dynam­ics between the trio grow strained, espe­cial­ly between Ruth and Tom­my, who main­tain a super­fi­cial close­ness despite grow­ing apart. Kathy observes their fad­ing con­nec­tion but finds it dif­fi­cult to address direct­ly, as open com­mu­ni­ca­tion has become fraught. Tommy’s sen­si­tiv­i­ty about his art­work and Ruth’s dis­mis­sive atti­tude cre­ate unre­solved ten­sion. Kathy regrets not resolv­ing the con­flict ear­li­er, rec­og­niz­ing that time and chang­ing cir­cum­stances have made rec­on­cil­i­a­tion more com­pli­cat­ed, par­tic­u­lar­ly with Tommy’s new rela­tion­ship with Lenny adding anoth­er lay­er of dis­tance.

    A can­did con­ver­sa­tion between Kathy and Ruth in an aban­doned bus shel­ter expos­es under­ly­ing ten­sions. Ruth admits to mis­han­dling her rela­tion­ship with Tom­my, acknowl­edg­ing his hurt over her com­ments about his art. The dis­cus­sion takes a sharp­er turn when Ruth reveals her belief that Tom­my would nev­er see Kathy as a roman­tic part­ner, cit­ing his pref­er­ence for inex­pe­ri­enced girls. This rev­e­la­tion stuns Kathy, who masks her hurt with detach­ment. Ruth frames the dis­clo­sure as nec­es­sary hon­esty, but it leaves Kathy reel­ing, unable to respond mean­ing­ful­ly.

    The chap­ter under­scores the inevitabil­i­ty of change and the fragili­ty of rela­tion­ships as the char­ac­ters nav­i­gate adult­hood. Kathy’s intro­spec­tion reveals her grow­ing aware­ness of how their shared past at Hail­sham no longer shields them from con­flict or emo­tion­al drift. Ruth’s blunt hon­esty, though painful, forces Kathy to con­front real­i­ties she had avoid­ed. The bus shel­ter con­ver­sa­tion becomes a micro­cosm of their unrav­el­ing con­nec­tions, marked by missed oppor­tu­ni­ties, unspo­ken feel­ings, and the lin­ger­ing weight of unre­solved his­to­ry.

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    FAQs

    • 1. How does Kathy retrospectively view the significance of the argument in the churchyard, and what does this reveal about the relationships between the main characters?

      Answer:
      Kathy initially believed the argument in the churchyard was just another minor disagreement, but later realizes it marked a turning point in their relationships. She reflects that powerful forces were already pulling them apart, and the argument “only needed something like that to finish the task.” This reveals how fragile their bonds had become despite their shared history at Hailsham. The chapter shows how Kathy, Tommy, and Ruth struggle to maintain their connections as they grow apart, with Kathy noting their interactions became more superficial (“they still did the punching-on-the-arm thing”) even as emotional distance increased.

      2. Analyze how the changing attitudes toward the Hailsham essays symbolize the students’ evolving identities and social bonds.

      Answer:
      The essays represent their fading connection to Hailsham and their shared identity as students. Initially, not finishing the essays was “unthinkable,” but as Hailsham grows more distant, the work seems less important. Kathy recognizes this shift, fearing that losing enthusiasm for the essays means losing what “bound us together as Hailsham students.” This symbolizes their transition into adulthood and their acceptance of their roles as carers and donors—a reality that ultimately undermines their childhood bonds. The essays serve as a metaphor for how institutional ties and shared purpose give way to individual paths.

      3. What does Ruth’s revelation in the bus shelter reveal about the dynamics between the three friends, and how does Kathy respond?

      Answer:
      Ruth’s confession—that Tommy would never see Kathy as a “proper girlfriend”—exposes the underlying tensions and unspoken feelings among the trio. While framed as concern (“I wouldn’t forgive myself if I kept quiet”), her words carry a possessive edge, reinforcing her claim on Tommy. Kathy’s measured response (“It’s always good to know these things”) masks her hurt, showing her emotional restraint. This moment highlights the complex power dynamics in their friendship, where Ruth controls narratives about relationships, and Kathy suppresses her feelings to maintain peace, even as their bonds deteriorate.

      4. How does the setting of the abandoned bus shelter reflect the themes of transition and impermanence in the chapter?

      Answer:
      The decaying bus shelter—with its removed sign, broken notice frame, and discontinued service—mirrors the characters’ transitional state. Like the shelter, they are in limbo between their past (Hailsham) and future (as carers/donors). The shelter’s lingering structure, despite its lost purpose, parallels how the friends cling to fading relationships (“still made a show of being a couple”). The open side facing the valley suggests both possibility and impermanence, echoing Kathy’s realization that their lives are unraveling despite efforts to “keep a tighter hold of one another.”

      5. Evaluate how Kathy’s role as an observer and mediator affects her relationships with Ruth and Tommy.

      Answer:
      Kathy’s tendency to observe and mediate (e.g., initiating the bus shelter talk, noting subtle tensions) strains her connections. While she tries to reconcile conflicts (“we should try and sort it out”), her interventions often highlight the growing divides. Her awareness of Ruth and Tommy’s distance (“I knew them well enough to see”) isolates her, as she understands more than they acknowledge. This role leaves her emotionally burdened, unable to express her own feelings (like her hurt over Ruth’s revelation) and trapped as relationships change around her while she remains the stabilizing, yet increasingly lonely, figure.

    Quotes

    • 1. “But the fact was, I suppose, there were powerful tides tugging us apart by then, and it only needed something like that to finish the task. If we’d understood that back then—who knows?—maybe we’d have kept a tighter hold of one another.”

      This quote captures the central theme of growing apart and missed opportunities for connection. It reflects Kathy’s later realization about the fragility of relationships under external pressures, setting the tone for the chapter’s exploration of drifting friendships.

      2. “That’s why I tried for a while to keep going our enthusiasm for all the reading and note-taking. But with no reason to suppose we’d ever see our guardians again, and with so many students moving on, it soon began to feel like a lost cause.”

      This passage reveals Kathy’s attempt to maintain the Hailsham identity and intellectual pursuits as a bonding mechanism. It shows how institutional ties weaken over time and foreshadows the characters’ inevitable separation.

      3. “What you have to realise is that Tommy doesn’t see you like that. He really, really likes you, he thinks you’re really great. But I know he doesn’t see you like, you know, a proper girlfriend.”

      This pivotal quote from Ruth to Kathy reveals the emotional core of their triangular relationship. It exposes Ruth’s manipulative tendencies while addressing the unrequited romantic tensions that have been building throughout their time together.

      4. “Besides, you know how Tommy is. He can be fussy… Tommy doesn’t like girls who’ve been with… well, you know, with this person and that. It’s just a thing he has.”

      This cutting remark demonstrates Ruth’s psychological manipulation of Kathy, using Tommy’s supposed preferences as a weapon. It highlights the cruelty that can emerge in close relationships and the pain of unrequited affection.

    Quotes

    1. “But the fact was, I suppose, there were powerful tides tugging us apart by then, and it only needed something like that to finish the task. If we’d understood that back then—who knows?—maybe we’d have kept a tighter hold of one another.”

    This quote captures the central theme of growing apart and missed opportunities for connection. It reflects Kathy’s later realization about the fragility of relationships under external pressures, setting the tone for the chapter’s exploration of drifting friendships.

    2. “That’s why I tried for a while to keep going our enthusiasm for all the reading and note-taking. But with no reason to suppose we’d ever see our guardians again, and with so many students moving on, it soon began to feel like a lost cause.”

    This passage reveals Kathy’s attempt to maintain the Hailsham identity and intellectual pursuits as a bonding mechanism. It shows how institutional ties weaken over time and foreshadows the characters’ inevitable separation.

    3. “What you have to realise is that Tommy doesn’t see you like that. He really, really likes you, he thinks you’re really great. But I know he doesn’t see you like, you know, a proper girlfriend.”

    This pivotal quote from Ruth to Kathy reveals the emotional core of their triangular relationship. It exposes Ruth’s manipulative tendencies while addressing the unrequited romantic tensions that have been building throughout their time together.

    4. “Besides, you know how Tommy is. He can be fussy… Tommy doesn’t like girls who’ve been with… well, you know, with this person and that. It’s just a thing he has.”

    This cutting remark demonstrates Ruth’s psychological manipulation of Kathy, using Tommy’s supposed preferences as a weapon. It highlights the cruelty that can emerge in close relationships and the pain of unrequited affection.

    FAQs

    1. How does Kathy retrospectively view the significance of the argument in the churchyard, and what does this reveal about the relationships between the main characters?

    Answer:
    Kathy initially believed the argument in the churchyard was just another minor disagreement, but later realizes it marked a turning point in their relationships. She reflects that powerful forces were already pulling them apart, and the argument “only needed something like that to finish the task.” This reveals how fragile their bonds had become despite their shared history at Hailsham. The chapter shows how Kathy, Tommy, and Ruth struggle to maintain their connections as they grow apart, with Kathy noting their interactions became more superficial (“they still did the punching-on-the-arm thing”) even as emotional distance increased.

    2. Analyze how the changing attitudes toward the Hailsham essays symbolize the students’ evolving identities and social bonds.

    Answer:
    The essays represent their fading connection to Hailsham and their shared identity as students. Initially, not finishing the essays was “unthinkable,” but as Hailsham grows more distant, the work seems less important. Kathy recognizes this shift, fearing that losing enthusiasm for the essays means losing what “bound us together as Hailsham students.” This symbolizes their transition into adulthood and their acceptance of their roles as carers and donors—a reality that ultimately undermines their childhood bonds. The essays serve as a metaphor for how institutional ties and shared purpose give way to individual paths.

    3. What does Ruth’s revelation in the bus shelter reveal about the dynamics between the three friends, and how does Kathy respond?

    Answer:
    Ruth’s confession—that Tommy would never see Kathy as a “proper girlfriend”—exposes the underlying tensions and unspoken feelings among the trio. While framed as concern (“I wouldn’t forgive myself if I kept quiet”), her words carry a possessive edge, reinforcing her claim on Tommy. Kathy’s measured response (“It’s always good to know these things”) masks her hurt, showing her emotional restraint. This moment highlights the complex power dynamics in their friendship, where Ruth controls narratives about relationships, and Kathy suppresses her feelings to maintain peace, even as their bonds deteriorate.

    4. How does the setting of the abandoned bus shelter reflect the themes of transition and impermanence in the chapter?

    Answer:
    The decaying bus shelter—with its removed sign, broken notice frame, and discontinued service—mirrors the characters’ transitional state. Like the shelter, they are in limbo between their past (Hailsham) and future (as carers/donors). The shelter’s lingering structure, despite its lost purpose, parallels how the friends cling to fading relationships (“still made a show of being a couple”). The open side facing the valley suggests both possibility and impermanence, echoing Kathy’s realization that their lives are unraveling despite efforts to “keep a tighter hold of one another.”

    5. Evaluate how Kathy’s role as an observer and mediator affects her relationships with Ruth and Tommy.

    Answer:
    Kathy’s tendency to observe and mediate (e.g., initiating the bus shelter talk, noting subtle tensions) strains her connections. While she tries to reconcile conflicts (“we should try and sort it out”), her interventions often highlight the growing divides. Her awareness of Ruth and Tommy’s distance (“I knew them well enough to see”) isolates her, as she understands more than they acknowledge. This role leaves her emotionally burdened, unable to express her own feelings (like her hurt over Ruth’s revelation) and trapped as relationships change around her while she remains the stabilizing, yet increasingly lonely, figure.

    Note