Never Let Me Go--- Twelve

Quote from pg. 139:

The basic idea behind the possibles theory was simple, and didn't provoke much dispute. It went something like this. SInce each of us was copied at some point from a normal person, there must be, for each of us, somewhere out there, a model getting on with his or her life. This meant, at least in theory, you'd be able to find the person you were modelled from. That's why, when you were out there yourself- in the towns, shopping centres, trasnport cafés- you kept an eye out for "possibles"- the people who might have been the models for you and your friends.

 I'm not exactly sure what to call this, but I think it qualifies as some sort of understatement. Ishiguro carefully delivers this news about cloning by masking it with the thin veil of a childish "game". This is not only an interesting way to explain things about the characters, but also a way of lessening the shock. He keeps the tone conversational as well, which additionally keeps the shock to a minimum.

Well, what do you know- another book about clones. Who woulda thunk it!?

Anyway, I also found something that confused me a bit on page 145:

That's how Chrissie saw it, and I suppose Ruth did say a few things every now and then to encourage the idea that, sure enough, in some mysterious way, a separate set of rules applied to us Hailsham students.

 Why would things be different for them? What makes the students at Hailsham more special than everyone- not just the normal people (because I already know the reason for that), but the other donors as well? What makes them the "Chosen-est of the Chosen Ones"? Because, if you think about it, they're really all nothing more than lab mice. Why does Hailsham, or any of the schools like it, exist when all of their students will be killed?

I'm getting the slightest feeling that this book is one giant allegory. I could be totally wrong here. Maybe Ishiguro meant to write a book about how human cloning will bring horrible things. And I'm not saying I don't see that in this book as well, because I do. But a part of me can see how Ishiguro might have meant these students to represent mankind as a whole. Hailsham represents life at home, life during grade school and high school, life when you're still dependent on someone else to care for you. The Cottages are like your college years- away from your parents with total freedom. When the students begin their training- that's when we begin our jobs. And donations, of course, represent the end of the road. So the same questions I ask about the students- why be taught if you're just going to die- apply to us as well. It's a scary thought, but it makes perfect sense.

Until Next Time,
Alysse