Nostalgia in Never Let Me Go
During the course of the novel, Kathy spends a great deal of her time reminiscingTo look back over past events. about the past. She feels nostalgic about the time she spent in Hailsham and, on the whole, has only fond memories of the years she lived there, I can remember us back in the Juniors, pleading with guardians to hold the next lesson in the pavilion instead of the usual room.
When she is a carer Kathy gets to speak to many donors and one of them complains to her about their memories fading rather quickly. Kathy however disagrees with this, commenting, The memories I value most, I don鈥檛 see them ever fading. I lost Ruth, then I lost Tommy, but I won鈥檛 lose my memories of them.
This is the reason why Kathy鈥檚 memories of the past are so important to her and why the majority of the novel is told in flashbackA scene in a novel or film set in the past, or earlier than the time used in the main story..
By the time Kathy is in her thirties, she has lost everyone and everything that has ever been of any importance; Hailsham School has closed and both Ruth and Tommy have completed. All Kathy has left are her memories. Looking back with nostalgia to the past is all Kathy can do in order to comfort herself. Everything that has ever meant anything to Kathy now exists entirely in her head; her memories are her only link to the past and are therefore extremely precious to her. It is for this reason that the reader finds out very little about Kathy鈥檚 present life. Even when she is describing her life as it presently is, she quickly begins recalling the past.
How is the theme of nostalgia shown in the novel?
In Never Let Me Go Kazuo Ishiguro shows the theme of nostalgia through:
- Kathy鈥檚 constant comments about her past
- the comments Kathy makes about the importance of allowing herself to reminisce
Kathy鈥檚 constant comments about her past
How does Kazuo Ishiguro show this?
Throughout Kathy鈥檚 narration it becomes obvious that whatever she does and wherever she is, aspects of her past are constantly on Kathy鈥檚 mind.
Evidence
Driving around the country now, I still see things that will remind me of Hailsham. I might pass the corner of a misty field or see part of a large house in the distance as I come down the side of a valley鈥
Analysis
Even when Kathy is driving from one recovery centre The medical centre where donors are sent to recover. to another, she cannot help but recall the past. Here, for example, she tries to find what remains of Hailsham as she journeys through the countryside. It is as if thoughts of her past fill every moment of Kathy鈥檚 life.
The comments Kathy makes about the importance of allowing herself to reminisce
How does Kazuo Ishiguro show this?
Kathy admits that there have been times when she has wondered if she should try to leave her past behind in order to focus on the present.
Evidence
There have been times over the years when I鈥檝e tried to leave Hailsham behind; when I鈥檝e told myself I shouldn鈥檛 look back so much. But then there came a point when I stopped resisting.
Analysis
Kathy finds it comforting to remember the past so she realises there is no point in resisting the urge to be nostalgic about it. Everyone she has ever cared for has died; reminiscing about Tommy and Ruth is the only way to keep them alive in her memory. Also, as a clone, she has a limited future. There is little point in Kathy making plans for a life she will never have. Therefore, the past is a safe havenA place of safety. and something that cannot be taken away from her.