Never Let Me Go
Kathy Characteristics Quotes Analysis
Nostalgic and dependent Chapter 1 - ‘The fact that we’d grown up together at Hailsham, the fact that Repetition ‘the fact’ and collective pronoun ‘we’ → their relationship and memories together, inseparable connection -
on her memories → Her we knew and remembered things no one else did’ Kathy’s reliance on her memories of her childhood and her identity as a Hailsham student
memories of her childhood
and past is her form of Chapter 1 - ‘I started seeking out for my donors people from the past, and Nostalgic imagery → Kathy’s attachment shows her human nature and desire to escape from her inevitable fate
escapism from facing the whenever I could, people from Hailsham’ (donation) + impending doom (completing), reaching out to those from her past to seek a sense of comfort after losing
reality of their impending the people around her
doom and a way to heal her
traumas of losing the Chapter 1 - ‘There have been times over the years when I’ve tried to leave Time imagery → Her attempt to hold onto Hailsham establishes her relentless and characteristic impulse to look back
friends around her. Hailsham behind … but then there came a point when I just stopped on the past, which guides the rest of the novel + highlights the centrality of Hailsham where Kathy grew up with her
resisting.’ friends. She realises that one of her patients wishes to forget his own possibly traumatic childhood memories, as she
recognises how lucky she was to grow up at Hailsham - somewhat exceptional and privileged. "Resisting" implies a
force that is necessary, which could imply Kathy would have to force herself away from her memories which cling to her.
Chapter 1 - ‘Driving around the country now, I still see things that will remind Hyperbole + driving imagery
me of Hailsham… I keep looking over to it for as long as possible, and one
day I’ll crash the car like that’
Chapter 7 - ‘I always knew about donations in some vague way…nothing Nostalgic imagery + irony → Kathy can't remember how she learned about donations, suggesting the unreliability of her
came as a complete surprise’ narration. This caused the reader to wonder if Kathy is fooling herself. This acknowledgement gives her responsibility
for her fate as if she and Tommy knew where their lives were headed, they had the power to do something about it.
Chapter 11 - ‘I never appreciated in those days the sheer effort Ruth was Triplets → Shows Kathy’s dependence on her past memories and suggests that moving on can be hard to do, which
making to move on, to grow up and leave Hailsham behind.’ contrasts with how Ruth tries to move on from Hailsham by getting rid of her "collection."
Chapter 18 - “once that happened, there’d be no real sense in which these Symbolism + metaphor → emphasises Kathy's dependence on Hailsham and how lost she feels without this
balloons belonged to each other” connection. The clown on the "deserted" street emphasises this, could link to Kathy feeling lost and out of place, like a
clown on a deserted pier street from any children. Mirrors Kathy's dependence on Ruth remaining her "Ruth from
Hailsham" in the cottages; she doesn't want to believe anyone from Hailsham can change.
Chapter 23 - "Imagined this was the spot where everything I'd ever lost Metaphor + symbolism → last chapter of the novel and emphasises Kathy's desire to return to her childhood. Conveys a
since my childhood had washed up" sense of grief, regret and longing. This could be grief for Tommy and Ruth, as well as herself. Ishiguro could be
reflecting on our childhoods and the parts we treasure about them, as well as the innocence, losing that innocence is a
necessary part of growing up. Kathy may be expressing a wish to regain that innocence and return to her childhood.
Additionally, this occurrence in Norfolk is significant, a place where lost things end up - her childhood and innocence.
Chapter 23 - "the memories I value most, I don't see them ever fading. I lost Repetition of ‘lost’ → Kathy's dependence on her memories is emphasised. Her memories are very important to her,
Ruth, then I lost Tommy, but I won't lose my memories of them" and we see this in how Kathy interprets her present and future through the lens of her past. Kathy has lost every
tangible link she has to her past and Hailsham - Hailsham itself is closed and unreachable, Tommy and Ruth have both
"completed". The only reminder Kathy has of her childhood is her memories - why she is so dependent on them.
Chapter 23 - “I’ll have Hailsham with me, safely in my head, and that’ll be Possessive imagery → theme of dependence/ independence, reflecting Kathy's possessive nature of Hailsham. Evokes
something no one can take away” the image of a toy or possession that belongs to Kathy. Emphasised by the description of "with me... my head" - Kathy
keeping Hailsham somewhere no one else can reach and access her memories of Hailsham.
Chapter 23 - ‘The fantasy never got beyond that—I didn’t let it—and though Emotional / nostalgic imagery → Kathy's self-control as well as the theme of time with the inevitability of the passing of
the tears rolled down my face, I wasn’t sobbing or out of control. I just time. Kathy states how she "didn't let" herself imagine anything further than Tommy in the distance, emphasising the
waited a bit…to drive off to wherever it was I was supposed to be’ way she controls her emotions and fantasies, not letting herself become too hopeful. This links to the nature of the
clones being controlled and restrained, they cannot allow their fantasies to go too far because any future that they
imagine other than the one they are living is unachievable. The vagueness of "wherever it was I was supposed to be"
could imply a loss of direction felt by Kathy and a reluctance to move forward. This reluctance is emphasised by the
syntax of the sentence - the repeated use of commas slows the pace of the sentence down and could reflect Kathy's
internal desire to slow her life down and remain in Norfolk, the place where she imagines her childhood to remain.
, Unreliable narrator → Chapter 1 - “Or maybe I’m remembering it wrong.” Unreliable narrator, creates a doubting and unsure tone
reflect the unreliability of
memory itself, which is Chapter 2 - "this was all a long time ago so I might have some of it wrong" Time imagery → Kathy is our only narrator so the events that she retells are only heard through her perspective and are
necessarily incomplete and potentially biased. Introduces the possible unreliability of Kathy's narration and whether or not she is a good narrator.
episodic.Kathy never
explicitly states the depths Chapter 2 - ‘Ruth and I often found ourselves remembering these things a Unreliable narrator
of her feelings for Tommy, few years ago, when I was caring for her down at the recovery centre in
although her love becomes Dover’
increasingly clear
Chapter 3 - ‘It must have been a Friday or a weekend, because I remember Unreliable narrator
we had on our clothes’
Caring / Sympathetic / Chapter 1 - "But I kept going - even when I heard Ruth's urgent whisper to highlights Kathy's determination + kindness. Despite the way Tommy has been outcasted from the students, Kathy still
emotional → encourages me to come back" goes to him even when it risks ostracising herself. Ruth's "urgent whisper" implies a fear of Tommy, and a fear for Kathy,
reader to sympathise with but Kathy still does what she knows is right. Kathy's character trait - strong moral compass and a determination.
her situation and makes her
likeable as this gives her Chapter 2 - ‘You notice everything, don’t you, Kath?’ (Tommy says this) Rhetorical question → demonstrates Kathy’s caring and nurturing nature, emphasis their close relationship and their
human qualities despite connection - caring nature also indicates why Kathy is a carer for so long - emotional intelligence
being a clone
Chapter 18 - “I don’t claim I’ve been immune to all of this, but I’ve learnt to Kathy despises the way some of the carers put their own feelings before those of the donors they have been assigned
live with it…” to. Kathy’s caring side is shown because she is able to be more concerned with her patients’ needs. Even though her
role as a carer is a constant reminder of her own future, she does not hesitate to liaise with the doctors to discuss her
patients’ most recent organ donation and any of the accompanying side effects.
Determined Chapter 22 - “But this dream of yours, this dream of being able to defer.” Repetition of ‘dream’ → all of their hopes and ambitions can only be in their ‘dreams’ but it can never come true,
suggests how the clones uses the belief of deferral as an escapism from their impending doom and inescapable fate
Chapter 14 - “It wasn’t long after I made my decision, and once I’d made it, I Kathy’s decision to leave The Cottages and begin her training due to her irritation with Ruth. Ruth tells Kathy that
never wavered.” Tommy would never want to be in a relationship with her as she has had too many one night stands. Kathy is also
infuriated when Ruth pretends to have forgotten Hailsham. ‘wavered’ →determined + no intention of changing her mind.
Accepting of her fate - Chapter 4 - ‘I won't be a carer any more come the end of the year… I have Kathy sounds like an old woman despite her young age. To us, this seems like an early age to be ready to "rest" (give
Throughout the novel, to admit I'll welcome the chance to rest—to stop and think and remember.’ away the organs and die). But Kathy's always expected to complete around this age, so it's not a big deal
Kathy struggles with the
acceptance of her fate as a Chapter 18 - ‘But I didn't say or do anything…It was like being given a maths Simile → Sometimes Kathy can be strong and determined, but here she just gives up. In fact, she doesn't even try to
clone whose purpose is to problem when your brain's exhausted …something in me just gave up.’ find a solution to her squabble with Ruth and Tommy about his drawings.
donate organs. Themes of
Chapter 22 - “it seemed like we were holding onto each other because that Metaphor → Tommy and Kathy visit Madame’s house. As they are driving back to his recovery centre, Tommy asks
inevitability and resignation
was the only way to stop us being swept away into the night.” Kathy to pull the car over, walks into the woods at the side of the road, and starts screaming. Recalls Tommy’s temper
are woven into her
tantrum (expressing his frustrations) at Hailsham, where Kathy also attempted to calm him down. In holding one
narrative.
another, Kathy and Tommy also evoke the novel’s title, and Kathy’s favourite song, “Never Let Me Go.” The winds
tugging at their clothes suggest the force of the future that threatens to pull them apart, while their embrace expresses a
deeply human impulse to hold on in the face of this devastating future - impending doom and fate of completing
Chapter 23 - ‘The fantasy never got beyond that—I didn’t let it—and though Emotional / nostalgic imagery → final line to the novel and demonstrates Kathy's self-control as well as the theme of
the tears rolled down my face, I wasn’t sobbing or out of control. I just time with the inevitability of the passing of time. Kathy states how she "didn't let" herself imagine anything further than
waited a bit…to drive off to wherever it was I was supposed to be’ Tommy in the distance, emphasising the way she controls her emotions and fantasies, not letting herself become too
hopeful. This links to the nature of the clones being controlled and restrained, not allowed to feel too much or want too
much - they cannot allow their fantasies to go too far because any future that they imagine other than the one they are
living is unachievable. The abrupt ending of her turning back around to leave contributes to the inevitability of time and
Kathy Characteristics Quotes Analysis
Nostalgic and dependent Chapter 1 - ‘The fact that we’d grown up together at Hailsham, the fact that Repetition ‘the fact’ and collective pronoun ‘we’ → their relationship and memories together, inseparable connection -
on her memories → Her we knew and remembered things no one else did’ Kathy’s reliance on her memories of her childhood and her identity as a Hailsham student
memories of her childhood
and past is her form of Chapter 1 - ‘I started seeking out for my donors people from the past, and Nostalgic imagery → Kathy’s attachment shows her human nature and desire to escape from her inevitable fate
escapism from facing the whenever I could, people from Hailsham’ (donation) + impending doom (completing), reaching out to those from her past to seek a sense of comfort after losing
reality of their impending the people around her
doom and a way to heal her
traumas of losing the Chapter 1 - ‘There have been times over the years when I’ve tried to leave Time imagery → Her attempt to hold onto Hailsham establishes her relentless and characteristic impulse to look back
friends around her. Hailsham behind … but then there came a point when I just stopped on the past, which guides the rest of the novel + highlights the centrality of Hailsham where Kathy grew up with her
resisting.’ friends. She realises that one of her patients wishes to forget his own possibly traumatic childhood memories, as she
recognises how lucky she was to grow up at Hailsham - somewhat exceptional and privileged. "Resisting" implies a
force that is necessary, which could imply Kathy would have to force herself away from her memories which cling to her.
Chapter 1 - ‘Driving around the country now, I still see things that will remind Hyperbole + driving imagery
me of Hailsham… I keep looking over to it for as long as possible, and one
day I’ll crash the car like that’
Chapter 7 - ‘I always knew about donations in some vague way…nothing Nostalgic imagery + irony → Kathy can't remember how she learned about donations, suggesting the unreliability of her
came as a complete surprise’ narration. This caused the reader to wonder if Kathy is fooling herself. This acknowledgement gives her responsibility
for her fate as if she and Tommy knew where their lives were headed, they had the power to do something about it.
Chapter 11 - ‘I never appreciated in those days the sheer effort Ruth was Triplets → Shows Kathy’s dependence on her past memories and suggests that moving on can be hard to do, which
making to move on, to grow up and leave Hailsham behind.’ contrasts with how Ruth tries to move on from Hailsham by getting rid of her "collection."
Chapter 18 - “once that happened, there’d be no real sense in which these Symbolism + metaphor → emphasises Kathy's dependence on Hailsham and how lost she feels without this
balloons belonged to each other” connection. The clown on the "deserted" street emphasises this, could link to Kathy feeling lost and out of place, like a
clown on a deserted pier street from any children. Mirrors Kathy's dependence on Ruth remaining her "Ruth from
Hailsham" in the cottages; she doesn't want to believe anyone from Hailsham can change.
Chapter 23 - "Imagined this was the spot where everything I'd ever lost Metaphor + symbolism → last chapter of the novel and emphasises Kathy's desire to return to her childhood. Conveys a
since my childhood had washed up" sense of grief, regret and longing. This could be grief for Tommy and Ruth, as well as herself. Ishiguro could be
reflecting on our childhoods and the parts we treasure about them, as well as the innocence, losing that innocence is a
necessary part of growing up. Kathy may be expressing a wish to regain that innocence and return to her childhood.
Additionally, this occurrence in Norfolk is significant, a place where lost things end up - her childhood and innocence.
Chapter 23 - "the memories I value most, I don't see them ever fading. I lost Repetition of ‘lost’ → Kathy's dependence on her memories is emphasised. Her memories are very important to her,
Ruth, then I lost Tommy, but I won't lose my memories of them" and we see this in how Kathy interprets her present and future through the lens of her past. Kathy has lost every
tangible link she has to her past and Hailsham - Hailsham itself is closed and unreachable, Tommy and Ruth have both
"completed". The only reminder Kathy has of her childhood is her memories - why she is so dependent on them.
Chapter 23 - “I’ll have Hailsham with me, safely in my head, and that’ll be Possessive imagery → theme of dependence/ independence, reflecting Kathy's possessive nature of Hailsham. Evokes
something no one can take away” the image of a toy or possession that belongs to Kathy. Emphasised by the description of "with me... my head" - Kathy
keeping Hailsham somewhere no one else can reach and access her memories of Hailsham.
Chapter 23 - ‘The fantasy never got beyond that—I didn’t let it—and though Emotional / nostalgic imagery → Kathy's self-control as well as the theme of time with the inevitability of the passing of
the tears rolled down my face, I wasn’t sobbing or out of control. I just time. Kathy states how she "didn't let" herself imagine anything further than Tommy in the distance, emphasising the
waited a bit…to drive off to wherever it was I was supposed to be’ way she controls her emotions and fantasies, not letting herself become too hopeful. This links to the nature of the
clones being controlled and restrained, they cannot allow their fantasies to go too far because any future that they
imagine other than the one they are living is unachievable. The vagueness of "wherever it was I was supposed to be"
could imply a loss of direction felt by Kathy and a reluctance to move forward. This reluctance is emphasised by the
syntax of the sentence - the repeated use of commas slows the pace of the sentence down and could reflect Kathy's
internal desire to slow her life down and remain in Norfolk, the place where she imagines her childhood to remain.
, Unreliable narrator → Chapter 1 - “Or maybe I’m remembering it wrong.” Unreliable narrator, creates a doubting and unsure tone
reflect the unreliability of
memory itself, which is Chapter 2 - "this was all a long time ago so I might have some of it wrong" Time imagery → Kathy is our only narrator so the events that she retells are only heard through her perspective and are
necessarily incomplete and potentially biased. Introduces the possible unreliability of Kathy's narration and whether or not she is a good narrator.
episodic.Kathy never
explicitly states the depths Chapter 2 - ‘Ruth and I often found ourselves remembering these things a Unreliable narrator
of her feelings for Tommy, few years ago, when I was caring for her down at the recovery centre in
although her love becomes Dover’
increasingly clear
Chapter 3 - ‘It must have been a Friday or a weekend, because I remember Unreliable narrator
we had on our clothes’
Caring / Sympathetic / Chapter 1 - "But I kept going - even when I heard Ruth's urgent whisper to highlights Kathy's determination + kindness. Despite the way Tommy has been outcasted from the students, Kathy still
emotional → encourages me to come back" goes to him even when it risks ostracising herself. Ruth's "urgent whisper" implies a fear of Tommy, and a fear for Kathy,
reader to sympathise with but Kathy still does what she knows is right. Kathy's character trait - strong moral compass and a determination.
her situation and makes her
likeable as this gives her Chapter 2 - ‘You notice everything, don’t you, Kath?’ (Tommy says this) Rhetorical question → demonstrates Kathy’s caring and nurturing nature, emphasis their close relationship and their
human qualities despite connection - caring nature also indicates why Kathy is a carer for so long - emotional intelligence
being a clone
Chapter 18 - “I don’t claim I’ve been immune to all of this, but I’ve learnt to Kathy despises the way some of the carers put their own feelings before those of the donors they have been assigned
live with it…” to. Kathy’s caring side is shown because she is able to be more concerned with her patients’ needs. Even though her
role as a carer is a constant reminder of her own future, she does not hesitate to liaise with the doctors to discuss her
patients’ most recent organ donation and any of the accompanying side effects.
Determined Chapter 22 - “But this dream of yours, this dream of being able to defer.” Repetition of ‘dream’ → all of their hopes and ambitions can only be in their ‘dreams’ but it can never come true,
suggests how the clones uses the belief of deferral as an escapism from their impending doom and inescapable fate
Chapter 14 - “It wasn’t long after I made my decision, and once I’d made it, I Kathy’s decision to leave The Cottages and begin her training due to her irritation with Ruth. Ruth tells Kathy that
never wavered.” Tommy would never want to be in a relationship with her as she has had too many one night stands. Kathy is also
infuriated when Ruth pretends to have forgotten Hailsham. ‘wavered’ →determined + no intention of changing her mind.
Accepting of her fate - Chapter 4 - ‘I won't be a carer any more come the end of the year… I have Kathy sounds like an old woman despite her young age. To us, this seems like an early age to be ready to "rest" (give
Throughout the novel, to admit I'll welcome the chance to rest—to stop and think and remember.’ away the organs and die). But Kathy's always expected to complete around this age, so it's not a big deal
Kathy struggles with the
acceptance of her fate as a Chapter 18 - ‘But I didn't say or do anything…It was like being given a maths Simile → Sometimes Kathy can be strong and determined, but here she just gives up. In fact, she doesn't even try to
clone whose purpose is to problem when your brain's exhausted …something in me just gave up.’ find a solution to her squabble with Ruth and Tommy about his drawings.
donate organs. Themes of
Chapter 22 - “it seemed like we were holding onto each other because that Metaphor → Tommy and Kathy visit Madame’s house. As they are driving back to his recovery centre, Tommy asks
inevitability and resignation
was the only way to stop us being swept away into the night.” Kathy to pull the car over, walks into the woods at the side of the road, and starts screaming. Recalls Tommy’s temper
are woven into her
tantrum (expressing his frustrations) at Hailsham, where Kathy also attempted to calm him down. In holding one
narrative.
another, Kathy and Tommy also evoke the novel’s title, and Kathy’s favourite song, “Never Let Me Go.” The winds
tugging at their clothes suggest the force of the future that threatens to pull them apart, while their embrace expresses a
deeply human impulse to hold on in the face of this devastating future - impending doom and fate of completing
Chapter 23 - ‘The fantasy never got beyond that—I didn’t let it—and though Emotional / nostalgic imagery → final line to the novel and demonstrates Kathy's self-control as well as the theme of
the tears rolled down my face, I wasn’t sobbing or out of control. I just time with the inevitability of the passing of time. Kathy states how she "didn't let" herself imagine anything further than
waited a bit…to drive off to wherever it was I was supposed to be’ Tommy in the distance, emphasising the way she controls her emotions and fantasies, not letting herself become too
hopeful. This links to the nature of the clones being controlled and restrained, not allowed to feel too much or want too
much - they cannot allow their fantasies to go too far because any future that they imagine other than the one they are
living is unachievable. The abrupt ending of her turning back around to leave contributes to the inevitability of time and
