NRJ #2

In the novel, Ishiguro uses symbolism to demonstrate that self-identity is incredibly fragile. In the beginning of the novel, art is used to identify who the students really are and if they had souls at all. The students of Hailsham find pride in their art and it reassures them that their art truly illustrates who they really are. Individuality is also very important to Kathy. When talking about her secret Judy Bridgewater tape she claims “maybe we all had little secrets like that – little private nooks created of thin air where we could go off along with our fears and belongings.” (74). She claims that everyone has their own secrets so no one could possibly be the same. Kathy yearns to be individual and not like the rest of her friends. However, at the end of the novel, Kathy and Tommy never doubted their self-identity and truly believed they had souls. When Miss Emily tells Tommy and Kathy the guardians had the students create art to reveal their souls, Kathy questions Miss Emily by saying “Why did you have to prove a thing like that, Miss Emily? Did someone think that we didn’t have souls?” (260). Kathy and Tommy both were shocked that their souls and individuality were even a question. Not only is self-individuality important in our society, but it is also important to these students at Hailsham. No matter what and who we are, everyone seeks to obtain their own individuality.

NRJ #1

In the novel, Never Let Me Go, Ishiguro uses character to illustrate how fate can make or break a person. The characters Kathy, Ruth, Tommy, and all the students at Hailsham all have the same fate.  However, it is whether they truly accept it or not. In the beginning of the book, they have all learned to accept what they’re meant to do in life. Although they know what they’re meant to do, they still wonder about their possible futures. Some students want to become actors or actresses in America. However, Miss Lucy says “none of you will go to America, none of you will become film stars.”(Ishiguro 81). These donors know that they’re not going to decide what their fate is going to be like but they believe there is still a chance. Further in the book, Ruth decides that her fate could end up being like her “possible.” Since her possible worked in an office, Ruth could see herself doing the same. Kathy states “Ruth began telling us about the sort of office she ideally would work in..” (Ishiguro 144). When she found out her possible really wasn’t her, she decided her true fate was to be a donor. She realized she couldn’t change her fate and it broke her. However, Kathy always knew her fate was to be a donor. At the end of the novel, she felt peace at where she was with her life because she had the memories of Tommy and Ruth with her. For these students at Hailsham, fate is already decided for them. However, the way they accept it can truly hurt them or help them in the future.