Norfolk and Moral Issues

Norfolk plays a significant role in the novel as a place of myth and hope for the characters:

• It is described as "where all lost things are found"
• Kathy's lost tape is eventually discovered in Norfolk, giving the place a sense of magic and possibility

The novel raises several moral issues through its exploration of the clones' lives:

1. The treatment of clones as less than human
2. The instrumentalization of clones for organ harvesting
3. The denial of clones' right to self-determination

Highlight: The novel forces readers to confront the ethical implications of creating human beings solely for the purpose of harvesting their organs.

Key messages conveyed through the story include:

• The importance of appreciating moments before they become memories
• The need to address wrongdoings and make amends before it's too late
• A warning about potential future scenarios where human cloning could become a reality

Quote: "Never destroy one's happiness" - This sentiment underscores the novel's exploration of the fragility of human joy and the importance of preserving it.

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:

1. Teaching students to give away personal items
2. Helping students create a sense of identity and individuality
3. 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.