Analysis Of Never Let Me Go And The Island

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Never Let Me Go and The Island examined the physiological development of the characters throughout the story line. One of the most prominent characteristics featured in both, were the characters themselves. They have demonstrated unique characteristics that have been affected by their childhood and their environment. Guardians featured in Kazuo Ishiguro’s novel, detached themselves from the students as they raised them. Similar to the living structure featured in The Island. They were bred for a certain purpose and to be used as organ donors, ultimately ending their short lives. The physiological issue present in the characters has impaired their decision to act affectionately, the inability to identify abuse of power and developed wilful ignorance.
Hailsham, set in Britain during the late 1990’s, was the main factor in the physiological issue shown in Kathy and other students that have attended. The students at Hailsham were raised with the absence love and affection. The guardians distanced themselves from the students, affecting the development of the characters. This was demonstrated when Ruth mocks Tommy’s drawings and ruining her relationship with Kathy by saying, “It’s just not me, sweety. Kathy finds your animals a complete hoot” (Ishiguro 192). Although Ruth and Tommy are dating, Ruth does not understand the concept of love and friendship. She only thinks of herself and does not take others into consideration. With the lack of love that has been shown to Ruth, she was not able to understand or show love to others. She was willing hurt her boyfriend and best friend in order to get what she wanted. Her selfish actions are due to the guardians at Hailsham. Throughout the first several chapters, we see a common character...

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...e gave up and pretended that this was something she has said. She ignored the problem and decided to just walk away. She believed that if she escaped and ran away that the problem would no longer exist. ShTommy too has a wilful ignorance shown in the pranks the boys would do. After a while of pranks being played, Tommy became unemotional to his surroundings. He no longer screamed or had a fit when one they picked on him. He instead decided to pretend the problem did no exist. It became a routine for him. He no longer fought, giving up.
The development of the characters has a large impact on the story line as a whole. It affects their decisions and personalities. With the unique situation for the characters, it has deeply shown the affects of the psychological issues have on them such as their inability to act affectionate, their confinement and wilful ignorance.

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