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Never let me go

Never Let Me Go - Summary & Analysis for Kids

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Never Let Me Go - Summary & Analysis for Kids

tuli

@tuli_rgvu

52 Follower

Never Let Me Go summary: Kazuo Ishiguro's dystopian novel explores the lives of clones raised for organ donation, questioning the ethics of scientific advancement and human nature.

• The story follows Kathy, Tommy, and Ruth, friends raised in Hailsham, a boarding school for clones.
• Set in an alternate 1990s England, the novel depicts a society where clones are created to provide organs for "normal" humans.
• Key themes include the value of human life, the ethics of cloning, and the power of memory and relationships.
• The narrative style is non-linear, told from Kathy's perspective as she reflects on her past.
• Never Let Me Go combines elements of science fiction with a deeply emotional exploration of what it means to be human.

2.4.2021

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Key facts
5
QUESTION
author: Kazuo Ishiguro
published: book 2005 / movie 2010
genre: dystopian science fiction
time setting: late 1990's
na

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Visions of the Future in Literature

In literature, visions of the future have long captivated readers and writers alike. These imaginative projections typically fall into two main categories:

Utopias: Positive visions of an ideal future society
Dystopias: Negative portrayals of future worlds, often characterized by oppression or environmental disaster

Highlight: Dystopian literature gained significant popularity after World War II, reflecting growing anxieties about technology, totalitarianism, and the future of humanity.

Never Let Me Go takes a unique approach to this tradition. Rather than projecting far into the future, Ishiguro sets his story in an alternate version of the 1990s. This choice serves a specific purpose:

It emphasizes that the ethical dilemmas surrounding cloning and biotechnology are not distant concerns but present-day issues.
By setting the story in a familiar past, Ishiguro encourages readers to consider how easily society might accept such practices if they were introduced gradually.

Example: The novel's setting in a recognizable England with only slight alterations (such as the existence of clones) makes the story's premise more unsettling and immediate to readers.

This approach aligns with Ishiguro's intention to highlight that the ethical and moral questions raised by cloning and organ harvesting are already relevant in our current society, even if the technology itself is not yet fully realized.

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Characters in "Never Let Me Go"

The novel centers around three main characters, all of whom are clones raised at Hailsham:

Kathy H.
- The narrator and protagonist
- Age 31 at the start of the novel
- Works as an efficient carer
- Reserved and introspective
- Involved in an emotional triangle with Tommy and Ruth since youth
- Eventually becomes Ruth's carer, and later Tommy's carer and lover

Highlight: Kathy's role as narrator allows readers to experience the story through the perspective of someone deeply embedded in the clone system, yet questioning it.

Ruth
- Kathy's best friend
- Often portrayed as manipulative and commanding
- Has a relationship with Tommy
- Keeps Tommy and Kathy apart for much of their youth
- Asks for forgiveness before her death

Quote: "I kept you and Tommy apart because I was jealous. But I also kept you apart for another reason... I wanted to be the one to tell you."

Tommy
- A social outsider due to his tantrums and perceived lack of creativity
- Initially in a relationship with Ruth, later with Kathy
- Begins painting in an attempt to get a deferral from donations

Other significant characters include:

Miss Emily
- Hailsham's head guardian
- Respected and feared by the students
- Advocates for better treatment of clones but doesn't tell them the whole truth about their future
Madame
- Collects the students' artwork at Hailsham
- Seems afraid of the clones but also feels sorry for them
- Attempts to prove that the clones have souls through their art
Miss Lucy
- A popular and idealistic guardian at Hailsham
- Wants the students to be more aware of their future
- Hints at the clones' future purpose
- Eventually has to leave Hailsham due to her honesty

Example: Miss Lucy's attempts to tell the students the truth about their future illustrate the tension between protecting the clones' innocence and preparing them for their fate.

These characters and their interactions drive the narrative of "Never Let Me Go", exploring themes of friendship, love, and the search for identity in a world that denies their humanity.

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Places and Events in "Never Let Me Go"

The novel is structured around key locations and events that shape the characters' lives. These are divided into three main parts:

Part One (Chapters 1-9): Childhood at Hailsham

Setting: Hailsham, a secluded boarding school for clones
Time period: Characters' childhood until age 13 (the "golden age")
Key events:
1. Miss Lucy's hints about the students' future (Chapter 3)
2. Madame's visits to collect artwork (Chapter 3)
3. Kathy's dance to "Never Let Me Go" and Madame's emotional reaction (Chapter 6)

Highlight: Hailsham represents a protected environment where the clones experience a semblance of normal childhood, despite their predetermined fate.

Part Two (Chapters 10-17): The Cottages

Setting: The Cottages, a transitional living space for clones aged 16-18
Time period: Two years after leaving Hailsham
Key events:
1. Development of the "theory of possibles" (Chapter 12)
2. Trip to Norfolk (Chapters 13-15)
3. Tommy's gallery theory (Chapter 15)

Vocabulary: Theory of possibles - The clones' belief that they might find the humans they were modeled after in the outside world.

Part Three (Chapters 18-23): Donors and Carers

Settings: Various locations including Dover and Norfolk
Time period: Characters' adult lives as donors and carers
Key events:
1. Trip to a stranded boat (Chapter 19)
2. Kathy and Tommy become a couple (Chapter 20)
3. Kathy and Tommy's visit to Madame's house (Chapter 21)

Quote: "Maybe none of us really understand what we've lived through, or feel we've had enough time."

This structure allows Ishiguro to explore the characters' development from innocent children to adults grappling with their predetermined fates. The movement from the sheltered environment of Hailsham to the wider world mirrors the characters' growing awareness of their purpose as organ donors.

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Dystopian Literature and Its Representation in "Never Let Me Go"

Dystopian literature is characterized by its bleak portrayal of future societies, often serving as a critique of current social or technological trends taken to extremes. "Never Let Me Go" fits firmly within this genre, presenting a somber picture of a society that has embraced inhumane practices in the name of scientific progress.

Key dystopian elements in the novel include:

A Two-Class Society: The world is divided between "normal" humans and clones, with the latter treated as subhuman.
Parallel Worlds: The clones exist in a sort of parallel society, isolated from the wider world and unaware of their true purpose until later in life.
Predetermined Futures: The clones' lives are entirely mapped out from birth, with no possibility of escape from their fate as organ donors.
Lack of Resistance: Unlike many dystopian narratives, there is no organized resistance against the system, highlighting the clones' indoctrination and the hopelessness of their situation.
Language as an Ideological Tool: The novel employs euphemisms like "to complete" instead of "to die," and "donor" instead of "victim," masking the true nature of the clones' experiences.

Vocabulary: Euphemism - a mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing.

Knowledge vs. Ignorance: The clones are kept in a state of partial ignorance about their future, leading to rumors and speculation that fill the gaps in their understanding.

Quote: "We all know it. We're modeled from trash. Junkies, prostitutes, winos, tramps. Convicts, maybe, just so long as they aren't psychos. That's what we come from."

This quote illustrates how the lack of information leads the clones to create their own, often degrading, narratives about their origins.

By incorporating these dystopian elements, Ishiguro creates a world that is both familiar and deeply unsettling, forcing readers to confront difficult questions about the ethics of scientific advancement and the nature of humanity itself.

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Key Facts About "Never Let Me Go"

Never Let Me Go is a critically acclaimed novel by Kazuo Ishiguro, published in 2005 and later adapted into a film in 2010. This dystopian science fiction work is set in an alternate version of England in the late 1990s, offering a haunting exploration of ethics, humanity, and the consequences of scientific advancement.

The narrative structure of the novel is particularly noteworthy:

It employs a first-person narrator, with the story told entirely from the perspective of the main character, Kathy H.
The story is presented in retrospect, with Kathy recounting her experiences and memories.
The narrative is non-chronological, weaving between different time periods in Kathy's life.

Highlight: The non-linear storytelling technique adds depth to the characters' experiences and enhances the emotional impact of the revelations throughout the novel.

Vocabulary: Dystopian - relating to or denoting an imagined state or society where there is great suffering or injustice.

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Short Content and Meaning of the Title

"Never Let Me Go" tells the poignant story of three friends: Kathy, Tommy, and Ruth. Their lives unfold against the backdrop of Hailsham, a seemingly idyllic boarding school that harbors a dark secret.

The central premise of the novel revolves around a shocking truth:

The students at Hailsham are clones, created for the sole purpose of donating their organs to prolong the lives of ordinary humans.
Each "donor" is cared for by a "carer" - another clone who has not yet begun the donation process.
The donation process continues until the clone "completes," a euphemism for death.

Definition: Carer - In the context of the novel, a carer is a clone who looks after donors during their recovery periods between donations.

The title "Never Let Me Go" holds significant meaning within the story. It is the name of Kathy's favorite song on a cassette tape, which becomes a poignant symbol of the characters' desire for love, connection, and a life beyond their predetermined fate.

Quote: "The song was about a woman who can't have babies and who really, really wants them. And this is her holding a baby she's found, or maybe stolen, and she's going, 'Baby, baby, never let me go'... almost as if she's worried the baby's going to evaporate in her arms."

This metaphor resonates deeply with the clones' own longing for a future they can never truly have, making the title a powerful encapsulation of the novel's themes.

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Ethics of Science in "Never Let Me Go"

The novel "Never Let Me Go" grapples with profound ethical questions surrounding scientific advancement, particularly in the realm of genetic engineering and cloning. These issues resonate strongly with real-world debates in bioethics.

Current Scientific Developments:

Genome Editing: Technology allowing specific changes to DNA, including the potential to correct defective cells.
Therapeutic Cloning: Creating stem cells from cloned embryos to develop tissues or cells for medical treatments.
Reproductive Cloning: Producing a genetic copy of an entire individual (currently prohibited for humans in most countries).

Definition: Genome editing - a type of genetic engineering in which DNA is inserted, deleted, modified or replaced in the genome of a living organism.

Ethical Dilemmas:

The potential to cure diseases and extend life through these technologies.
The destruction of embryos to obtain stem cells.
The question of whether humans should have the power to create life in this manner.

In "Never Let Me Go", Ishiguro explores these ethical quandaries through the lens of a society that has fully embraced reproductive cloning for organ harvesting. The novel doesn't delve deeply into the technical aspects of cloning but instead focuses on its moral implications:

Dehumanization: The clones are regarded as less than human, mere tools for organ harvesting.
Instrumentalization: Human beings (the clones) are degraded to the status of organ suppliers, denied basic rights and autonomy.
Lack of Self-Determination: The clones have no say in their fate, raised from birth for a predetermined purpose.

Quote: "We took away your art because we thought it would reveal your souls. Or to put it more finely, we did it to prove you had souls at all."

This quote highlights the ethical struggle even among those who advocate for the clones, revealing the deep-seated prejudice against them as potentially soulless beings.

By presenting these issues in a narrative form, Ishiguro encourages readers to confront difficult questions about the limits of scientific progress and the potential consequences of prioritizing medical advancement over human dignity.

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Ich liebe diese App ❤️, ich benutze sie eigentlich immer, wenn ich lerne.

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Never let me go

Never Let Me Go - Summary & Analysis for Kids

tuli

@tuli_rgvu

52 Follower

Never Let Me Go summary: Kazuo Ishiguro's dystopian novel explores the lives of clones raised for organ donation, questioning the ethics of scientific advancement and human nature.

2.4.2021

2146

12/13

Englisch

Visions of the Future in Literature

In literature, visions of the future have long captivated readers and writers alike. These imaginative projections typically fall into two main categories:

Utopias: Positive visions of an ideal future society
Dystopias: Negative portrayals of future worlds, often characterized by oppression or environmental disaster

Highlight: Dystopian literature gained significant popularity after World War II, reflecting growing anxieties about technology, totalitarianism, and the future of humanity.

It emphasizes that the ethical dilemmas surrounding cloning and biotechnology are not distant concerns but present-day issues.
By setting the story in a familiar past, Ishiguro encourages readers to consider how easily society might accept such practices if they were introduced gradually.

Example: The novel's setting in a recognizable England with only slight alterations (such as the existence of clones) makes the story's premise more unsettling and immediate to readers.

Characters in "Never Let Me Go"

The novel centers around three main characters, all of whom are clones raised at Hailsham:

Kathy H.
- The narrator and protagonist
- Age 31 at the start of the novel
- Works as an efficient carer
- Reserved and introspective
- Involved in an emotional triangle with Tommy and Ruth since youth
- Eventually becomes Ruth's carer, and later Tommy's carer and lover

Highlight: Kathy's role as narrator allows readers to experience the story through the perspective of someone deeply embedded in the clone system, yet questioning it.

Ruth
- Kathy's best friend
- Often portrayed as manipulative and commanding
- Has a relationship with Tommy
- Keeps Tommy and Kathy apart for much of their youth
- Asks for forgiveness before her death

Quote: "I kept you and Tommy apart because I was jealous. But I also kept you apart for another reason... I wanted to be the one to tell you."

Tommy
- A social outsider due to his tantrums and perceived lack of creativity
- Initially in a relationship with Ruth, later with Kathy
- Begins painting in an attempt to get a deferral from donations

Other significant characters include:

Miss Emily
- Hailsham's head guardian
- Respected and feared by the students
- Advocates for better treatment of clones but doesn't tell them the whole truth about their future
Madame
- Collects the students' artwork at Hailsham
- Seems afraid of the clones but also feels sorry for them
- Attempts to prove that the clones have souls through their art
Miss Lucy
- A popular and idealistic guardian at Hailsham
- Wants the students to be more aware of their future
- Hints at the clones' future purpose
- Eventually has to leave Hailsham due to her honesty

Example: Miss Lucy's attempts to tell the students the truth about their future illustrate the tension between protecting the clones' innocence and preparing them for their fate.

These characters and their interactions drive the narrative of "Never Let Me Go", exploring themes of friendship, love, and the search for identity in a world that denies their humanity.

Places and Events in "Never Let Me Go"

The novel is structured around key locations and events that shape the characters' lives. These are divided into three main parts:

Part One (Chapters 1-9): Childhood at Hailsham

Setting: Hailsham, a secluded boarding school for clones
Time period: Characters' childhood until age 13 (the "golden age")
Key events:
1. Miss Lucy's hints about the students' future (Chapter 3)
2. Madame's visits to collect artwork (Chapter 3)
3. Kathy's dance to "Never Let Me Go" and Madame's emotional reaction (Chapter 6)

Highlight: Hailsham represents a protected environment where the clones experience a semblance of normal childhood, despite their predetermined fate.

Part Two (Chapters 10-17): The Cottages

Setting: The Cottages, a transitional living space for clones aged 16-18
Time period: Two years after leaving Hailsham
Key events:
1. Development of the "theory of possibles" (Chapter 12)
2. Trip to Norfolk (Chapters 13-15)
3. Tommy's gallery theory (Chapter 15)

Vocabulary: Theory of possibles - The clones' belief that they might find the humans they were modeled after in the outside world.

Part Three (Chapters 18-23): Donors and Carers

Settings: Various locations including Dover and Norfolk
Time period: Characters' adult lives as donors and carers
Key events:
1. Trip to a stranded boat (Chapter 19)
2. Kathy and Tommy become a couple (Chapter 20)
3. Kathy and Tommy's visit to Madame's house (Chapter 21)

Quote: "Maybe none of us really understand what we've lived through, or feel we've had enough time."

Dystopian Literature and Its Representation in "Never Let Me Go"

Key dystopian elements in the novel include:

A Two-Class Society: The world is divided between "normal" humans and clones, with the latter treated as subhuman.
Parallel Worlds: The clones exist in a sort of parallel society, isolated from the wider world and unaware of their true purpose until later in life.
Predetermined Futures: The clones' lives are entirely mapped out from birth, with no possibility of escape from their fate as organ donors.
Lack of Resistance: Unlike many dystopian narratives, there is no organized resistance against the system, highlighting the clones' indoctrination and the hopelessness of their situation.
Language as an Ideological Tool: The novel employs euphemisms like "to complete" instead of "to die," and "donor" instead of "victim," masking the true nature of the clones' experiences.

Vocabulary: Euphemism - a mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing.

Knowledge vs. Ignorance: The clones are kept in a state of partial ignorance about their future, leading to rumors and speculation that fill the gaps in their understanding.

Quote: "We all know it. We're modeled from trash. Junkies, prostitutes, winos, tramps. Convicts, maybe, just so long as they aren't psychos. That's what we come from."

This quote illustrates how the lack of information leads the clones to create their own, often degrading, narratives about their origins.

Key Facts About "Never Let Me Go"

The narrative structure of the novel is particularly noteworthy:

It employs a first-person narrator, with the story told entirely from the perspective of the main character, Kathy H.
The story is presented in retrospect, with Kathy recounting her experiences and memories.
The narrative is non-chronological, weaving between different time periods in Kathy's life.

Highlight: The non-linear storytelling technique adds depth to the characters' experiences and enhances the emotional impact of the revelations throughout the novel.

Vocabulary: Dystopian - relating to or denoting an imagined state or society where there is great suffering or injustice.

Short Content and Meaning of the Title

The central premise of the novel revolves around a shocking truth:

The students at Hailsham are clones, created for the sole purpose of donating their organs to prolong the lives of ordinary humans.
Each "donor" is cared for by a "carer" - another clone who has not yet begun the donation process.
The donation process continues until the clone "completes," a euphemism for death.

Definition: Carer - In the context of the novel, a carer is a clone who looks after donors during their recovery periods between donations.

Quote: "The song was about a woman who can't have babies and who really, really wants them. And this is her holding a baby she's found, or maybe stolen, and she's going, 'Baby, baby, never let me go'... almost as if she's worried the baby's going to evaporate in her arms."

This metaphor resonates deeply with the clones' own longing for a future they can never truly have, making the title a powerful encapsulation of the novel's themes.

Ethics of Science in "Never Let Me Go"

Current Scientific Developments:

Genome Editing: Technology allowing specific changes to DNA, including the potential to correct defective cells.
Therapeutic Cloning: Creating stem cells from cloned embryos to develop tissues or cells for medical treatments.
Reproductive Cloning: Producing a genetic copy of an entire individual (currently prohibited for humans in most countries).

Definition: Genome editing - a type of genetic engineering in which DNA is inserted, deleted, modified or replaced in the genome of a living organism.

Ethical Dilemmas:

The potential to cure diseases and extend life through these technologies.
The destruction of embryos to obtain stem cells.
The question of whether humans should have the power to create life in this manner.

Dehumanization: The clones are regarded as less than human, mere tools for organ harvesting.
Instrumentalization: Human beings (the clones) are degraded to the status of organ suppliers, denied basic rights and autonomy.
Lack of Self-Determination: The clones have no say in their fate, raised from birth for a predetermined purpose.

Quote: "We took away your art because we thought it would reveal your souls. Or to put it more finely, we did it to prove you had souls at all."

This quote highlights the ethical struggle even among those who advocate for the clones, revealing the deep-seated prejudice against them as potentially soulless beings.

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Knowunity ist die #1 unter den Bildungs-Apps in fünf europäischen Ländern

Knowunity wurde bei Apple als "Featured Story" ausgezeichnet und hat die App-Store-Charts in der Kategorie Bildung in Deutschland, Italien, Polen, der Schweiz und dem Vereinigten Königreich regelmäßig angeführt. Werde noch heute Mitglied bei Knowunity und hilf Millionen von Schüler:innen auf der ganzen Welt.

Laden im

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Laden im

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4.9+

Durchschnittliche App-Bewertung

13 M

Schüler:innen lieben Knowunity

#1

In Bildungs-App-Charts in 12 Ländern

950 K+

Schüler:innen haben Lernzettel hochgeladen

Immer noch nicht überzeugt? Schau dir an, was andere Schüler:innen sagen...

iOS User

Ich liebe diese App so sehr, ich benutze sie auch täglich. Ich empfehle Knowunity jedem!! Ich bin damit von einer 4 auf eine 1 gekommen :D

Philipp, iOS User

Die App ist sehr einfach und gut gestaltet. Bis jetzt habe ich immer alles gefunden, was ich gesucht habe :D

Lena, iOS Userin

Never Let Me Go - Summary & Analysis for Kids

Visions of the Future in Literature

Characters in "Never Let Me Go"

Places and Events in "Never Let Me Go"

Dystopian Literature and Its Representation in "Never Let Me Go"

Key Facts About "Never Let Me Go"

Short Content and Meaning of the Title

Ethics of Science in "Never Let Me Go"

Ähnliche Inhalte

Nichts passendes dabei? Erkunde andere Fachbereiche.

Knowunity ist die #1 unter den Bildungs-Apps in fünf europäischen Ländern

4.9+

13 M

#1

950 K+

Immer noch nicht überzeugt? Schau dir an, was andere Schüler:innen sagen...

Ich liebe diese App so sehr, ich benutze sie auch täglich. Ich empfehle Knowunity jedem!! Ich bin damit von einer 4 auf eine 1 gekommen :D

Die App ist sehr einfach und gut gestaltet. Bis jetzt habe ich immer alles gefunden, was ich gesucht habe :D

Ich liebe diese App ❤️, ich benutze sie eigentlich immer, wenn ich lerne.

Never Let Me Go - Summary & Analysis for Kids

Visions of the Future in Literature

Characters in "Never Let Me Go"

Places and Events in "Never Let Me Go"

Dystopian Literature and Its Representation in "Never Let Me Go"

Key Facts About "Never Let Me Go"

Short Content and Meaning of the Title

Ethics of Science in "Never Let Me Go"

Ähnliche Inhalte

Nichts passendes dabei? Erkunde andere Fachbereiche.

Knowunity ist die #1 unter den Bildungs-Apps in fünf europäischen Ländern

4.9+

13 M

#1

950 K+

Immer noch nicht überzeugt? Schau dir an, was andere Schüler:innen sagen...

Ich liebe diese App so sehr, ich benutze sie auch täglich. Ich empfehle Knowunity jedem!! Ich bin damit von einer 4 auf eine 1 gekommen :D

Die App ist sehr einfach und gut gestaltet. Bis jetzt habe ich immer alles gefunden, was ich gesucht habe :D

Ich liebe diese App ❤️, ich benutze sie eigentlich immer, wenn ich lerne.