Never Let Me Go--- If you're afraid of spiders, beware!

Quote from pg. 35:

But she was afraid of us in the same way someone might be afraid of spiders. We hadn't been ready for that. It had never occurred to us to wonder how we would feel, being seen like that, being the spiders.

Quote from pg. 36:

So you're waiting, even if you don't quite know it, waiting for the moment when you realise that you really are different to them; that there are people out there, like Madame, who don't hate you or wish you any harm, but who nevertheless shudder at the very thought of you- of how you were brought into this world and why- and who dread the idea of your hand brushing against theirs. The first time you glimpse yourself through the eyes of a person like that, it's a cold moment. It's like walking past a mirror you've walked past every day of your life, and suddenly it shows you something else, something troubling and strange.

The two similes in the quotes above are an effective way of showing how Kathy and the other students at Hailsham are viewed from the outside world. The reader already knows that the students at Hailsham are different and receive special attention; now the reader becomes aware that this may not be a good thing. Also, mirrors and spiders are something that people encounter on an almost daily basis. The images produced by the similes are effective because they are familiar and relatable. (I, for one, am terrified of spiders.) They really put the reader in Kathy's shoes.

I hate spiders so much, I had someone else post this picture. And write this caption.
This is a camel spider, by the way.

In addition, Ishiguro adds "of how you were brought into this world and why" to help the reader understand at least a little why the students at Hailsham are different. They are born a different way than those outside the walls of Hailsham, and though no details are given, it's enough to keep the reader interested.

I've also noticed that, while Ishiguro gives physical descriptions of the guardians and the school, he doesn't really mention what any of the students look like. But maybe that will come later in the book, or maybe I've just missed it. Either way, I didn't notice this at first because I have such a vivid imagination that I visualize the characters anyway.

Until next time,
Alysse