Never Let Me Go--- Thirteen

Quote from Pg. 149:

As it turned out, though, it was just about the last moment like that between me and Ruth for the rest of that outing.

 Well, this certainly was a lovely way to foreshadow an upcoming fight between Kathy and Ruth. There has been some tension between them for quite some time, only intensified by their fight in chapter ten. This next problem could be the one that terminates their friendship. They will, of course, reunite, as Ishiguro has revealed to us through Kathy and Ruth's future relationship as donor and carer.

I'd also like to point out that Ruth is a toxic friend in many ways, as shown on page 155:

"What you've got to realise," she said to Chrissie, "is that even though Tommy was at Hailsham, he isn't like a real Hailsham student. He was left out of everything and people were always laughing at him. So there's no point in asking him about anything like this."

 I can't quite figure Ruth out. One minute, she makes me want to punch her, and then the next minute, she does something great and kind to redeem herself. At first I thought she was a static and flat character, her only characteristics being selfishness and compulsive lying. Then I thought she was a foil character to Kathy, only existing to show the good characteristics in her friend. However, now that I've read more, I can see how Ruth is a round character. She does still confide in Kathy, which shows she is still loyal to her and still wants to be friends. Also, now that I recall Kathy's lost tape and how Ruth reacted, I can see she does care for Kathy; otherwise, why would she search so much for that tape? Ruth may even be a dynamic character, though I cannot know for sure until I read more and see if she progresses.

Until next time,
Alysse