"On this particular afternoon I'm now thinking of, we were standing up on stools and benches, crowding around the high windows." p.7
Ishiguro in this case, uses a flashback to help characterize Kathy a little bit. Within the 1st paragraph of the chapter, Ishiguro reveals the essentials of Kathy: age and job. Although her job as "carer" isn't quite clear, she explains in great length that she is good at her job and his relatively advanced in it. She gets to pick her donors and became close to Ruth and Tommy again through picking them. She tells of her connection and time at this school Hailsham she speaks fondly of. I'm not quite sure if it's the school or more the people that she has great memories of. Kathy stood by and watched Tommy get fooled so it doesn't seem to me that she is a good friend of his at least at this point of the novel. Also, I noticed that the boys knew Tommy had a short fuse and tricked him so this could come into play later.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Never Let Me Go begins- 1st person
"My name is Kathy H." p. 1
The first thing I noticed in this book, of course, was the 1st sentence. This book appears to be a story told from the point of view of a character named Kathy. A little different point of view from the last book Brave New World. I think as a reader it is a little better, yet worse. From 1st person, I only know what that character knows which can leave me in the dark on a few things. The reader doesn't quite get to see what all the other characters are doing and see them develop as well. From 3rd person, I pretty much know what all characters are doing But, 1st person can also give more depth due to the increased attention on the main character. It also firmly establishes this main character. In Brave New World, Bernard was the focus for the 1st part of the book then John enters and takes over the plot.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Better late than never I guess
"'Oh, my God, my God!' He covered his eyes with his hand. p. 259
In the argument in Chapter 17, John and Mond discuss the ultimate discussion. How far do we push ourselves and science? Do we rid the world of imperfections and negativity? Or do we keep the world in it's purest form? I really think this is the question Huxley wants to leave the reader. I believe that John is right when he says that he "claims them all." There is no true happiness without someone experiencing pain first. There is no redemption without failure first. In the final scene, John is disgusted with himself when he gives into the "brave new world" and has to kill himself. Although he isn't really a hero, it is a pretty sad and unfulfilling end.
In the argument in Chapter 17, John and Mond discuss the ultimate discussion. How far do we push ourselves and science? Do we rid the world of imperfections and negativity? Or do we keep the world in it's purest form? I really think this is the question Huxley wants to leave the reader. I believe that John is right when he says that he "claims them all." There is no true happiness without someone experiencing pain first. There is no redemption without failure first. In the final scene, John is disgusted with himself when he gives into the "brave new world" and has to kill himself. Although he isn't really a hero, it is a pretty sad and unfulfilling end.
Let's start a riot, a riot
"'Yes,' Mustapha Mond was saying, 'that's another item in the cost of stability. It isn't only art that's incompatible with happiness; it's also science. Science is dangerous; we have to keep it most carefully chained and muzzled.'" p.225
In the riot, John again refuses to conform. He also turns to violence and lashes out, again. This pattern of violence shows that John is not an ideal and flawless protagonist, but I think still the "good guy" in this situation. After all, he is fighting a terrible establishment, probably not in the ideal way, but he is trying to do what he thinks is right. I also liked that Mond acknowledged some short comings of the utopian society. Sacrifices must be made in order to maintain a level of stability. Art, happiness, and science are the things he states. But, I think individuality and life in general is also conceded to make society perfect. Also, "science chained", really? I think genetical engineering is taking science off the leash.
In the riot, John again refuses to conform. He also turns to violence and lashes out, again. This pattern of violence shows that John is not an ideal and flawless protagonist, but I think still the "good guy" in this situation. After all, he is fighting a terrible establishment, probably not in the ideal way, but he is trying to do what he thinks is right. I also liked that Mond acknowledged some short comings of the utopian society. Sacrifices must be made in order to maintain a level of stability. Art, happiness, and science are the things he states. But, I think individuality and life in general is also conceded to make society perfect. Also, "science chained", really? I think genetical engineering is taking science off the leash.
A main theme....that I called
"'Disgraceful? But what do you mean? They're being death-conditioned. And I tell you,' she warned him truculently, 'if I have any more of your interference with their conditioning, I'll send for the porters and have you thrown out.'" p.203
In one of the 1st chapters, one of the things that shocked me was the lack of respect for life. I know Mr. Costello commented on that post and said it would be a recurring theme. In this chapter, it really comes to fruition. The nurse conditions the children to see death and accept it. That is real cruel and little harsh. I know that in our society death is fairly common but I still don't think there would ever be a point to where people would accept it heartlessly and move on. Even nurses and doctors who see death daily, sometimes more than once daily, probably don't necessarily take death in stride and ignore it. I hope their never comes a point in society where people die and no one bats an eye.
In one of the 1st chapters, one of the things that shocked me was the lack of respect for life. I know Mr. Costello commented on that post and said it would be a recurring theme. In this chapter, it really comes to fruition. The nurse conditions the children to see death and accept it. That is real cruel and little harsh. I know that in our society death is fairly common but I still don't think there would ever be a point to where people would accept it heartlessly and move on. Even nurses and doctors who see death daily, sometimes more than once daily, probably don't necessarily take death in stride and ignore it. I hope their never comes a point in society where people die and no one bats an eye.
John's not the only one confused
"'What is it?' she almost screamed. And as though awakened by her cry he caught her by the shoulders and shook her.'Whore!' he shouted." p.194
In the last chapter, Bernard saw his eventual fall from grace when John again refused to follow social norm. John attempts to read Shakespeare to Watson, but Watson just laughs in his face. As much as I hate Shakespeare, I understand that it supposedly "timeless literature". But, as evidence in the last chapter, Shakespeare ideas of romance and love are a mockery in this book.
Within this chapter, we see another example of John not being able to adapt. I get the feeling that because the two worlds are so radically different, he never will be able to adjust. His ideas of romance, love and having to sacrifice and go to great lengths to win a girl over, as he learned in Shakespeare, are abnormal in the "brave new world". Lenina expects a shallow and physical relationship early on and is offended and frightened when John throws her off.
In the last chapter, Bernard saw his eventual fall from grace when John again refused to follow social norm. John attempts to read Shakespeare to Watson, but Watson just laughs in his face. As much as I hate Shakespeare, I understand that it supposedly "timeless literature". But, as evidence in the last chapter, Shakespeare ideas of romance and love are a mockery in this book.
Within this chapter, we see another example of John not being able to adapt. I get the feeling that because the two worlds are so radically different, he never will be able to adjust. His ideas of romance, love and having to sacrifice and go to great lengths to win a girl over, as he learned in Shakespeare, are abnormal in the "brave new world". Lenina expects a shallow and physical relationship early on and is offended and frightened when John throws her off.
Rough Adjustment
"But the Savage had suddenly broken away from his companions and was violently retching, behind a clump of laurels, as though the solid earth had been a helicopter in an air pocket." p. 160
Bernard seems to have grown fond of his newly-found fame. His arrogance is multiplied more than ever as he tries to show up Mustapha Mond. I definitely saw this power trip coming. Bernard seems to be a person of low character who would take advantage of a situation. But, his adjustment isn't the real important one. The important adjustment is the tough transition John the Savage has made from the Reservation to Ford's world. He doesn't quite know and therefore live up to social expectations and disappoints Lenina. Even worse is the reaction Linda has made to "brave new world". Her years of aging make her a social outcast and she has slipped into a soma holiday and doctors don't give her much time. That's something I really don't like about this world: people always take the easy way out. People should have to study and work to be who they are instead of just handed it.
Bernard seems to have grown fond of his newly-found fame. His arrogance is multiplied more than ever as he tries to show up Mustapha Mond. I definitely saw this power trip coming. Bernard seems to be a person of low character who would take advantage of a situation. But, his adjustment isn't the real important one. The important adjustment is the tough transition John the Savage has made from the Reservation to Ford's world. He doesn't quite know and therefore live up to social expectations and disappoints Lenina. Even worse is the reaction Linda has made to "brave new world". Her years of aging make her a social outcast and she has slipped into a soma holiday and doctors don't give her much time. That's something I really don't like about this world: people always take the easy way out. People should have to study and work to be who they are instead of just handed it.
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