"'All this is something else. Kath, I don't want to be that way in front of you.'" Pg. 281
Tommy's decision to send Kathy away for his fourth donation was probably the most courageous and loving gestures in this book. It was loving because Tommy had grown to love Kathy great enough to know the things of greatest value to Kathy were her memories; not some old tape. It was also unselfish. Giving up your significant other to save them the pain of secondhand suffering takes courage and understanding. Kathy had always admired the motherly imagine from her cassette because it was a representation of miraculous love. I suppose the same could be said for Ruth, Kathy, and Tommy. They were utility beings that were never supposed to have any expression of passion or love. Out of some miracle, these three ultimately found true love for each other during a life of miraculous privelege. Through all the confusion and bickering, they also found out what love was not. They lived more, thought more, and felt more than any persons of their kind. In the end they had their memories, which, like the pillow, they never had to let go.
Friday, July 8, 2011
Explication-The Revelations and Rewards
"'But think of it. You were lucky pawns. There was a certain climate and now its gone.'" Pg. 266
This chapter revealed the scary and devastating nature of a society that could exist one day. When I try to read objectively and eliminate emotion it usually helps to analyze the story more effectively. However, this second to last chapter is just wrought with pure devastation at what humans have the power and ethics to create. The thought of clones growing up in the environment that Hailsham provided to be farmed for organs sounded cruel enough to me. Then Miss Emily explains how Tommy and Kathy are the lucky ones. For the sake of an ethical demonstration, they grew up not knowing they had it good. Of course Ishiguro created a storyline that is ethically debatable on many levels, but by hinting at the human factories that evidently exist while Tommy and Kathy are together makes Miss Emily and Madame seem like saviors. Throughout the book the reader has the understanding that the donors are stuck in a grim predicament. They are given hope when the deferral surfaces and then crushed by the words of Miss Emily. I believe it causes both the characters and the reader to appreciate the social maturity all the Hailsham kids have reached in light of the current clone world.
This chapter revealed the scary and devastating nature of a society that could exist one day. When I try to read objectively and eliminate emotion it usually helps to analyze the story more effectively. However, this second to last chapter is just wrought with pure devastation at what humans have the power and ethics to create. The thought of clones growing up in the environment that Hailsham provided to be farmed for organs sounded cruel enough to me. Then Miss Emily explains how Tommy and Kathy are the lucky ones. For the sake of an ethical demonstration, they grew up not knowing they had it good. Of course Ishiguro created a storyline that is ethically debatable on many levels, but by hinting at the human factories that evidently exist while Tommy and Kathy are together makes Miss Emily and Madame seem like saviors. Throughout the book the reader has the understanding that the donors are stuck in a grim predicament. They are given hope when the deferral surfaces and then crushed by the words of Miss Emily. I believe it causes both the characters and the reader to appreciate the social maturity all the Hailsham kids have reached in light of the current clone world.
Madame Oz
"'Poor creatures. What did we do to you ? With all our schemes and plans?'" Pg. 254
Just as with Ruth, the walls of their childhood begin to fall down for Kathy and Tommy. Now face-to-face with Madame and Miss Emily, they are confronted with women who have compassion beyond anything Hailsham students could have imagined. Madame hints that the way the students were brought up was unfair and not transparent. I believe it was done for a reason though. The Hailsham students were a whole new kind of nature and a whole new kind of being. The guardians were still figuring things out as these students grew up. They tried things like Madame's gallery without an explanation, leading to wild speculation and rumors among the students. At the heart of the operation though, I believe they had the best interest of the kids in mind. Just because they were copies of someone who already existed did not mean they were to be treated like lab rats. They were not trying to judge each student's self-expression. They had the task of nurturing something they knew little about.
Just as with Ruth, the walls of their childhood begin to fall down for Kathy and Tommy. Now face-to-face with Madame and Miss Emily, they are confronted with women who have compassion beyond anything Hailsham students could have imagined. Madame hints that the way the students were brought up was unfair and not transparent. I believe it was done for a reason though. The Hailsham students were a whole new kind of nature and a whole new kind of being. The guardians were still figuring things out as these students grew up. They tried things like Madame's gallery without an explanation, leading to wild speculation and rumors among the students. At the heart of the operation though, I believe they had the best interest of the kids in mind. Just because they were copies of someone who already existed did not mean they were to be treated like lab rats. They were not trying to judge each student's self-expression. They had the task of nurturing something they knew little about.
Let the Guard Down
"'Kathy,' she said, 'I don't really expect you to forgive me ever. I cant even see why you should. But I'm going to ask you to all the same.'" Pg. 231
Illness does amazing and profound things to the dying. Ruth is not exception. When all three go to see the boat, Ruth is weak and reserved. Kathy takes advantage of this to an extent, poking fun at Ruth that she should have done more to find her possible or a new future. Ruth finally breaks down and admits she kept Tommy and Kathy apart, urges them to seek a deferral, and enjoys a wonderful last summer with Kathy as her carer. I feel that it took the face of suffering and death to show Ruth what was important. She had spent a lifetime afraid of what she might experience if Kathy was truly happy with Tommy. She made Kathy feel isolated and alone. Now she was weak and felt that within herself. She knew she had to reconcile with Kathy to enjoy her last days as close friends. She stopped the battle and let her guard down with the intention of her two best friends continuing life together in sincere happiness.
Illness does amazing and profound things to the dying. Ruth is not exception. When all three go to see the boat, Ruth is weak and reserved. Kathy takes advantage of this to an extent, poking fun at Ruth that she should have done more to find her possible or a new future. Ruth finally breaks down and admits she kept Tommy and Kathy apart, urges them to seek a deferral, and enjoys a wonderful last summer with Kathy as her carer. I feel that it took the face of suffering and death to show Ruth what was important. She had spent a lifetime afraid of what she might experience if Kathy was truly happy with Tommy. She made Kathy feel isolated and alone. Now she was weak and felt that within herself. She knew she had to reconcile with Kathy to enjoy her last days as close friends. She stopped the battle and let her guard down with the intention of her two best friends continuing life together in sincere happiness.
Going Back
"It was almost like a part of me had alread made that decison, and Laura's words had simply pulled away a veil that had been covering it over." Pg.213
As soon as Ruth is mentioned by Laura in Chapter 18, the reconciliation with Kathy becomes inevitable. Predictably, caring takes much of the emotion out of Kathy and Ruth, but ultimately Kathy knows she be with her friend once again. Unlike many of the donors and carers, Kathy still feels her deepest connections to Hailsham because of its foundation in her short and fragile life. At a basic level, this is what sets Kathy apart from nearly every other carer/donor. She does not exactly have a rebel mentality, but she knows where to find solace. Throughout the whole book, she has reminisced about her journey. This is where she finds comfort. Not that the others have given up on being content; they have found that elsewhere. I suppose it is a bit of unfinished business as well. Kathy can sense that there is something more to be had from her friendships with Tommy and Ruth.
As soon as Ruth is mentioned by Laura in Chapter 18, the reconciliation with Kathy becomes inevitable. Predictably, caring takes much of the emotion out of Kathy and Ruth, but ultimately Kathy knows she be with her friend once again. Unlike many of the donors and carers, Kathy still feels her deepest connections to Hailsham because of its foundation in her short and fragile life. At a basic level, this is what sets Kathy apart from nearly every other carer/donor. She does not exactly have a rebel mentality, but she knows where to find solace. Throughout the whole book, she has reminisced about her journey. This is where she finds comfort. Not that the others have given up on being content; they have found that elsewhere. I suppose it is a bit of unfinished business as well. Kathy can sense that there is something more to be had from her friendships with Tommy and Ruth.
Abrupt Goodbye
"It wasn't long after that I made my decision, and once I'd made it , I never wavered." Pg.202
In a way, this could be Kathy's snap. Since returning from Norfolk, she, Ruth and Tommy had been growing ever farther apart. The incident in the churchyard seemed to indicate that Ruth had no true feelings for Tommy and she was bent on Tommy never having any for Kathy either. Then comes the bus stop conversation. Ruth hints that she probably will not be with Tommy much longer after they leave the Cottages, but Tommy does not look at Kathy as partner material anyway. Everything starts to add up here for Kathy. Ruth obviously has no intention for her best friend to be happy, and she senses that Tommy truly does not see her as a romantic pursuit. She is ready to move on. Unfortunately the only place she has to go is the lonliness and death of being a carer. Rightly so, she has given up on the "daft" hope of happiness and fulfillment. She even hints at what a shame it was that they all wasted their time "having rows" at each other during the freedom on their lives. They could have experienced so much more.
In a way, this could be Kathy's snap. Since returning from Norfolk, she, Ruth and Tommy had been growing ever farther apart. The incident in the churchyard seemed to indicate that Ruth had no true feelings for Tommy and she was bent on Tommy never having any for Kathy either. Then comes the bus stop conversation. Ruth hints that she probably will not be with Tommy much longer after they leave the Cottages, but Tommy does not look at Kathy as partner material anyway. Everything starts to add up here for Kathy. Ruth obviously has no intention for her best friend to be happy, and she senses that Tommy truly does not see her as a romantic pursuit. She is ready to move on. Unfortunately the only place she has to go is the lonliness and death of being a carer. Rightly so, she has given up on the "daft" hope of happiness and fulfillment. She even hints at what a shame it was that they all wasted their time "having rows" at each other during the freedom on their lives. They could have experienced so much more.
Subdued Warfare
"But I didn't say or do anything. It was partly, I suppose, that I was so floored by the fact that Ruth would come out with such a trick." Pg. 195
With this latest incident in the churchyard, I began to question the strength of Ruth's friendship with Kathy. Beyond the periodic irritations Ruth throws on Kathy (consciously or not), she has a perceived plan to make sure Tommy never sees Kathy as more than a platonic friend. She feels threatened by the way they are able to connect on a deep level and this concerns her. This goes back to her happiness before anyone else. She takes advantage of Tommy, making him think he needs Ruth for guidance and reassurance. Kathy, on the other hand, accepts Tommy as his own person. The aspect of Ruth and Kathy's relationship that is so perplexing is the personal agenda Ruth holds. Beyond the common friend behavior of laughing and comforting someone, Ruth holds out the valuable friend advice she is so capable of giving. Kathy endures the mind games, hoping one day Tommy might come around.
With this latest incident in the churchyard, I began to question the strength of Ruth's friendship with Kathy. Beyond the periodic irritations Ruth throws on Kathy (consciously or not), she has a perceived plan to make sure Tommy never sees Kathy as more than a platonic friend. She feels threatened by the way they are able to connect on a deep level and this concerns her. This goes back to her happiness before anyone else. She takes advantage of Tommy, making him think he needs Ruth for guidance and reassurance. Kathy, on the other hand, accepts Tommy as his own person. The aspect of Ruth and Kathy's relationship that is so perplexing is the personal agenda Ruth holds. Beyond the common friend behavior of laughing and comforting someone, Ruth holds out the valuable friend advice she is so capable of giving. Kathy endures the mind games, hoping one day Tommy might come around.
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