Never Let Me Go
Chapter 23: Twenty-Three
by Ishiguro, KazuoIn Chapter Twenty-Three of *Never Let Me Go*, Kathy observes subtle but significant changes in Tommy’s behavior following their trip to the Cottages. While he continues drawing his animal pictures, he becomes secretive about doing so in her presence, which she interprets as an attempt to avoid awkwardness. Their relationship remains strained, though they still share intimate moments, including occasional sex. However, Kathy notices Tommy increasingly aligning himself with fellow donors, often redirecting conversations to their experiences. This shift creates a growing emotional distance, as Tommy seems more invested in his donor friendships than in their shared past.
One poignant moment occurs when Kathy arrives at Kingsfield and finds Tommy engrossed in a conversation with other donors. Despite noticing her, he delays joining her, leaving her feeling excluded. This incident highlights Tommy’s deepening connection to the donor community and his subtle resentment toward Kathy’s role as his carer. The tension between them lingers even when they retreat to his room, marking a departure from their earlier dynamic. Kathy acknowledges her own feelings of resentment, recognizing parallels between Tommy’s donor group and her former clique at Hailsham, which stirs unresolved emotions.
Tommy’s attitude toward Kathy’s non-donor status becomes another source of friction. He occasionally dismisses her perspectives, joking that she wouldn’t understand certain things until she becomes a donor herself. While these remarks are often lighthearted, they underscore the growing divide between them. A more serious conflict arises when Tommy insists on handling his own laundry, implying Kathy’s care is unnecessary. These small clashes reflect the broader existential anxieties surrounding their roles, particularly as Tommy faces his fourth donation—a milestone fraught with uncertainty and fear.
The chapter culminates in a discussion about the ominous rumors surrounding the fourth donation, including speculation about what happens afterward. Tommy voices his fears about the possibility of never truly “completing,” a concern Kathy dismisses as baseless. Despite their attempts to navigate these fears together, the underlying tension remains unresolved. The chapter closes with Kathy and Tommy walking through the neglected field at Kingsfield, a metaphor for their uncertain future and the emotional wilderness they must traverse as their relationship continues to evolve.
FAQs
1. How does Tommy’s behavior toward Kathy change in this chapter, and what might this signify about his emotional state?
Answer:
Tommy becomes increasingly distant and identifies more with his fellow donors, marking a shift in his relationship with Kathy. He stops drawing animals in her presence and often redirects conversations to his donor friends, showing a growing alignment with their shared experiences. This change suggests Tommy is mentally preparing for his role as a donor and possibly distancing himself emotionally from Kathy to cope with his impending donations. His vague resentment when Kathy interrupts his time with other donors (like in the Square scene) hints at his internal conflict—balancing his bond with Kathy against his new identity as a donor.2. Analyze the significance of the “fourth donation” in the chapter. How do donors and staff treat it, and why might this ritual exist?
Answer:
The fourth donation is portrayed as a pivotal, anxiety-inducing milestone. Donors receive exaggerated respect (e.g., congratulations from staff), which seems to mask deeper fears about what comes after. Tommy reveals the underlying dread: donors worry they might not “complete” (die) after the fourth donation, instead facing indefinite suffering. This ritual likely serves to normalize the donation process and ease psychological distress, but it also highlights the dehumanizing system—where donors’ fates are uncertain, and their fears are met with performative reassurance rather than transparency.3. How does Kathy’s observation of the donors in the Square mirror her past experiences at Hailsham? What emotional effect does this have on her?
Answer:
Kathy notices the donors’ poses—studiedly relaxed, arranged in a semi-circle—echoing how she and her friends at Hailsham used to gather. This parallel evokes nostalgia and loneliness, emphasizing how her past bonds are irreplaceable. The comparison triggers resentment, as she feels excluded from Tommy’s new camaraderie. This moment underscores Kathy’s isolation and the inevitability of change, as both she and Tommy grapple with their roles in a system that ultimately separates them.4. Critical Thinking: Why might Tommy insist on handling his own laundry, telling Kathy, “If you were a donor, you’d understand”?
Answer:
Tommy’s insistence symbolizes his desire for autonomy amid a life where donors have little control. By rejecting Kathy’s help, he asserts his identity as a donor—a role she can’t yet comprehend. His comment hints at the unbridgeable gap between their experiences: donors face physical and psychological strains that carers, despite their empathy, can’t fully grasp. This small conflict reflects larger themes of agency and the isolating nature of their predetermined paths.5. Application: If you were a carer like Kathy, how would you respond to a donor expressing fears about post-fourth-donation rumors?
Answer:
A compassionate response would balance honesty with emotional support. Acknowledging the uncertainty (“I don’t know what happens after, but I’m here to help you through this”) might validate their fears without fueling panic. Creating space for open dialogue, as Kathy and Tommy initially do, could ease anxiety. However, dismissing concerns outright (as Kathy does) risks alienating the donor. Practical comfort—focusing on present moments together—might offer solace when answers are unavailable.
Quotes
1. “But what I couldn’t help noticing was how, more and more, Tommy tended to identify himself with the other donors at the centre.”
This quote marks a pivotal shift in Tommy’s behavior, showing his growing alignment with fellow donors rather than Kathy. It reflects the psychological divide forming between carers and donors in their dystopian reality.
2. “You know why it is, Kath, why everyone worries so much about the fourth? It’s because they’re not sure they’ll really complete.”
Tommy’s haunting question reveals the fundamental existential terror plaguing donors - the uncertainty about what “completion” truly means in their system. This represents the chapter’s central philosophical dilemma.
3. “It’s horror movie stuff, and most of the time people don’t want to think about it. Not the whitecoats, not the carers—and usually not the donors.”
This powerful metaphor captures the collective denial surrounding the donors’ fate. The comparison to horror movies underscores how society avoids confronting the ethical horrors of their system.
4. “But now and again, a donor will bring it up, as Tommy did that evening, and I wish now we’d talked about it.”
Kathy’s retrospective regret highlights the emotional core of the chapter - the missed opportunities for genuine connection and truth in the face of mortality. This reflects the novel’s themes of memory and remorse.
5. “How maybe, after the fourth donation, even if you’ve technically completed, you’re still conscious in some sort of way… how there’s nothing to do except watch your remaining donations until they switch you off.”
This chilling speculation about post-“completion” existence represents the ultimate fear of the donors - that their humanity might be preserved just enough to experience their own dehumanization. It’s the chapter’s most disturbing revelation.