Life at Hailsham
The novel "Never Let Me Go" is set in a dystopian version of late 1990s England, where human clones are created for the purpose of organ donation. The story revolves around Kathy H., a clone raised at Hailsham boarding school, and is told through her first-person narration and flashbacks.
At Hailsham, the students' lives are strictly controlled:
- No smoking or drugs are allowed to maintain their health
- Weekly medical examinations ensure their physical well-being
- Students are not permitted to leave the campus, limiting their freedom of movement
- Information about the outside world is withheld, and questions are discouraged
Highlight: The school's primary intention is to prepare the students to become perfect organ donors.
Activities at Hailsham include:
- Art lessons, sports, music, and writing poetry
- Theatre performances and exchanges
- Sales events held four times a year
Example: During sales, students can acquire second-hand items from the outside world, such as clothes and toys.
The school also organizes exchanges where students trade personal possessions. This practice serves multiple purposes:
- Teaching students to give away personal items
- Helping students create a sense of identity and individuality
- Allowing teachers to gain insight into students' minds
Vocabulary: Carer - In the context of the novel, a carer is a clone who looks after other clones as they go through the organ donation process.