Never Let Me Go
Chapter 22: Twenty-Two
by Ishiguro, KazuoIn Chapter Twenty-Two of *Never Let Me Go*, Kathy and Tommy reunite with Miss Emily, a former guardian from Hailsham, who is now elderly and confined to a wheelchair. Miss Emily reminisces about their time at Hailsham, acknowledging their growth and expressing pride in their accomplishments. She reveals that she and Madame (Marie-Claude) have become disillusioned with their past efforts, though Miss Emily still believes their work deserves respect. The conversation takes a somber turn as Miss Emily prepares to leave momentarily, insisting on supervising the removal of a cherished bedside cabinet from her Hailsham days, highlighting her attachment to the past.
Kathy and Tommy confront Miss Emily about a long-standing rumor among Hailsham students: the possibility of deferring their fate as donors. Miss Emily dismisses the rumor, explaining that it has persisted for years but has never been true, despite occasional hopeful couples seeking confirmation. She admits feeling regret for those who genuinely believed in the rumor but maintains that it served as a harmless fantasy for most. Her tone suggests a deeper, unspoken truth, leaving Kathy with a sense that there may be more to the story than Miss Emily is revealing.
Tommy presses further, questioning why Hailsham collected students’ artwork if the rumor of deferrals was false. Miss Emily confirms the existence of the Gallery, now housed in her home, though scaled down. Kathy then raises a more profound question: why were they educated and encouraged to create art if their ultimate fate was inevitable? Madame interjects, echoing this existential inquiry, asking, “Why Hailsham at all?” This moment underscores the central mystery of their upbringing and its purpose, hinting at unresolved tensions between the guardians’ ideals and the harsh reality of the students’ lives.
The chapter ends with Miss Emily reflecting on her longstanding skepticism about Hailsham’s mission, contrasting it with Madame’s recent disillusionment. She implies that she was the only one who questioned their efforts from the beginning, while others, like Madame, only began to doubt after the Morningdale scandal. The exchange leaves Kathy and Tommy with more questions than answers, deepening the novel’s exploration of identity, purpose, and the ethics of their existence.
FAQs
1. What is the “rumour” that Kathy and Tommy are asking Miss Emily about, and how does she respond to their inquiry?
Answer:
The rumour refers to the belief among Hailsham students that couples in love could apply for a “deferral” to delay or avoid their fate as donors. Kathy and Tommy have come to ask Miss Emily if this is true. Miss Emily explains that the rumour has persisted for years but has no basis in reality. She states it was “never true,” even during Hailsham’s prime, and calls it a “wishful rumour” that naturally resurfaces among students. While she sympathizes with their disappointment, she firmly denies the existence of any deferral system (e.g., “It was never true. Even before the Morningdale scandal…”).2. How does Miss Emily justify the purpose of Hailsham and the Gallery, given that the students’ art had no practical impact on their eventual donations?
Answer:
Miss Emily implies that Hailsham’s mission was about more than just preparing students for donations. The Gallery, which still exists in her home, collected students’ artwork as proof of their creativity and humanity. When Tommy and Kathy question why they were encouraged to produce art if it wouldn’t change their fate, Miss Emily doesn’t provide a direct answer, but Madame interjects with the broader question: “Why Hailsham at all?” This suggests the school’s purpose was ideological—to demonstrate that clones like Kathy and Tommy had souls and deserved dignity, even if society ultimately treated them as expendable (e.g., “Why did we do all of that work in the first place?… Why Hailsham at all?”).3. Analyze the dynamic between Miss Emily and Madame (Marie-Claude) in this chapter. How do their attitudes toward Hailsham and its students differ?
Answer:
Miss Emily takes a resigned but somewhat proud stance, acknowledging Hailsham’s failures while still valuing its achievements (e.g., “You’ve turned out well”). She seems to care about the students’ feelings, expressing regret for disappointing them. In contrast, Madame is disillusioned and bitter, dismissively calling the rumour a foolish belief and questioning Hailsham’s entire purpose. Their conflict is evident when Madame snaps, “What good does it do you or them?” and later when Miss Emily notes that Madame “never did worry about” the rumour. Their tension reflects broader disagreements about whether Hailsham’s humane approach was meaningful or futile.4. What does Kathy’s reaction to Miss Emily’s revelation reveal about her character and her relationship with Tommy?
Answer:
Kathy remains surprisingly calm despite the devastating news, focusing on the possibility that Miss Emily might be withholding information (e.g., “something being held back”). This shows her analytical nature and emotional resilience. She also avoids looking at Tommy, suggesting she’s protecting both herself and him from the full weight of their shared disappointment. Her quiet follow-up questions (“Is it the case, then, that deferrals don’t exist?”) demonstrate her determination to confront the truth, even as she subtly shields Tommy from its immediate impact. Their dynamic highlights her role as both a carer and a partner in their quest for answers.5. Why might Ishiguro include the detail about Miss Emily’s bedside cabinet in this scene? How does it contribute to the themes of the chapter?
Answer:
The cabinet symbolizes Miss Emily’s attachment to the past and her futile efforts to preserve value in a system that discards people. Her insistence on guarding it from rough handling mirrors her earlier role at Hailsham—trying to protect students’ dignity in a world that sees them as commodities. The interruption (“Oh dear, is that the men come for the cabinet?”) also underscores the inevitability of loss, paralleling Kathy and Tommy’s realization that their hopes for deferral are being “taken away.” The detail reinforces the novel’s themes of memory, transience, and the fragility of human efforts to resist a predetermined fate.
Quotes
1. “Look at the two of you. You’ve turned out well. I’m sure you have much you could tell me to make me proud.”
Miss Emily reflects on the success of her educational project at Hailsham, expressing pride in how Kathy and Tommy have developed despite the controversial nature of their existence. This quote introduces the theme of legacy and the moral ambiguity surrounding the school’s purpose.
2. “I came to believe that this rumour, it’s not just a single rumour. What I mean is, I think it’s one that gets created from scratch over and over.”
Miss Emily explains the persistent myth about deferrals for clones in relationships, revealing how such hopes are repeatedly kindled and crushed. This captures the central deception and psychological manipulation inherent in the Hailsham system.
3. “Why did we do all of that work in the first place? Why train us, encourage us, make us produce all of that? If we’re just going to give donations anyway, then die, why all those lessons?”
Kathy’s poignant question cuts to the heart of the ethical dilemma - why cultivate creativity and humanity in beings destined for organ harvesting. This represents the chapter’s climactic challenge to Hailsham’s foundational hypocrisy.
4. “Why Hailsham at all? It’s a good question for you to ask.”
Madame’s interjection underscores the fundamental existential question about the purpose of the school. This brief but powerful line encapsulates the growing doubt about the entire experiment’s morality and validity.
5. “Long before Morningdale, right from the very beginning, I asked that. And that made it easy for the rest of them… they could all carry on…”
Miss Emily reveals she was the only one questioning Hailsham’s purpose from the start, exposing the collective denial among the guardians. This concluding insight shows how systemic injustice persists through willful ignorance.