A discussion was sparked in class about the lack of fleeing from the carer-donor cycle in Ishiguro’s Never Let Me Go, as Kathy and Tommy resign themselves to their fates after talking to Madame. On the way home they “hardly discussed” that fact that there was no way out of the clone cycle towards death and ignored the fact that they were directly confronted with the reality that they were raised for organ harvest (272). Reading this part and noticing how calm they were about their fate struck me as odd when compared to most other YA fiction novels, as they usually involve the main characters fighting passionately against their fate or government or whatever other opposing force poses an obstacle for them. In most other YA novels, this conflict is the central point of the theme- leading the audience to extract morals like “don’t give up” or “stand up for what’s right” and things of that sort, and Ishiguro’s lack of conflict, on first glance, seems to be teaching wrong morals or simply no morals at all.
However, I would argue that Ishiguro’s overall theme and message are more accessible to his readers than those of other YA books. Most of us don’t have an (extremely) corrupt government that we’re warring with or a faction system that aims to kill those who don’t follow it, but all of us do have to face the concept of our own morality, and Ishiguro’s tale of quietly accepting that with dignity, due to the presence of friends and gratitude for the life we’ve led, is a comforting balm to the fear of death that most people possess. Additionally, I think the lack of deferral makes this story more realistic to the audience- people read YA fiction to access worlds that aren’t our own and read about people doing things that we can only fantasize about doing. Even though Never Let Me Go takes place in a world where clones are real and people are raised to be organ farms, Kathy and Tommy’s quiet acceptance and resignation to their fate is something people can relate to. Fighting against opposing forces isn’t always a viable option and seeing succumbing to one’s fate presented in such a dignified way in a context that typically deifies rebelling places their resignation on the same pedestal as Harry’s sacrifice or Katniss’s revolution, which can make the reader feel better and more validated when it comes to their lack of rebelling in their own life.
The concept of rebellion in Kazuo Ishiguro's Never Let Me Go certainly differs from other popular YA novels, such as Harry Potter and The Hunger Games as you’ve mentioned. Ishiguro communicated through his novel that accepting defeat can prove admirable at times, which contrasts those novels. Additionally, it seems that the Hailsham students have been conditioned to maintain low expectations and have mastered appreciating simple life activities. When Ruth, Kathy and Tom arrive at the Cottages, they have the opportunity to travel across England; however, their one and only road trip is to Norfolk. They either do not understand the possibility that awaits them or are not particularly interested. Additionally, when Kathy and Tommy do finally become a couple, Kathy states they would “have been happy...if [they] could have whiled away more afternoons chatting, having sex, reading aloud and drawing” (242). Kathy and Tommy did not need or even particularly want a grand life, they just wanted their life together. Of course, Tommy nears his time for a fourth donation, which ruins their future plans together. They resolve to find Madame and request a deferral, which is a rather small act of rebellion. Furthermore, they do not get their hopes up that they will even be granted extra time together. Through the characters’ less-than-ideal living conditions and objective outlooks on life, Ishiguro suggests a certain necessity and honor in accepting whatever people and path life hands out.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your claim that the theme presented in Never Let Me Go connects with the audience more than the themes presented in books like The Hunger Games or Harry Potter. Not everyone can be the hero they desire to be and most of the time, people must accept their fate and live their lives without any regrets. Kathy, throughout the entirety of the book, never had thoughts of rebellion and accepted her fate. Even at the end, her continuing to be a carer is an acceptance of her fate as she states that "it's important [that] there are good carers. And I'm a good carer" (Ishiguro, 282) when asked if she ever wishes that she would hurry up and become a donor. She is not a carer because she wants to, she is a carer because she is fit for the role, just like how all clones eventually become donors. They are "fit" (more specifically made) for the role that they set out to do; it is their fate. And while many of the YA books written today like to state that "you have the power to change your destiny", Ishiguro's rather down to Earth theme of accepting your destiny and making it as enjoyable as possible sends readers a life message that is more real and possible.
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