Finally Letting Go

For much of Never Let Me Go, the title is very appropriate. Two-thirds of the novel consist of memories from Kathy. From her childhood spent at Hailsham to her young adult life at the Cottages, a significant amount of time is spend reflecting on the past, refusing to let it go. The remaining third of the story is spent looking toward the future of the characters. Once again, everyone cannot let go of their hopes that their lives will end differently than so many clones who have come before them. In spite of how desperately all the characters try to hang on to something to distract them from their bleak situation, they are all eventually forced to come to the grim realization that their futures have already been decided. Unfortunately, they are given no choice but to let go.

For Kathy, memories are the most important way for her to cope with the idea that her future will inevitably be cut short. Even when Ruth is on her deathbed after her final donation, she and Kathy "sit side by side at her window, watching the sun go down over the roofs, talking about Hailsham, the Cottages, anything that drifted into [their] minds" (Ishiguro 235). Despite the horrible circumstances, they both find comfort in each other's company, reminiscing about their childhood. However, once Kathy becomes Tommy's carer as he begins to die, their conversations begin to move away from memories and start to focus on the present. Kathy notices that "Tommy [tends] to identify himself with the other donors more. If, for instance, the two of [them are] reminiscing about old Hailsham people, he [will] sooner or later [move] the conversation round to one of his current donor friends" (Ishiguro 276). As Kathy's childhood friends begin to leave her life, the memories they share begin to hold less weight in their conversations, showing that they are letting go of their past to some extent.

As much as the characters are forced to let go of their past, they are also forced to let go of any dreams for a future beyond having their organs harvested until they die. This is most clearly illustrated in Kathy and Tommy's visit to Madame, where they hope to give Tommy's drawings to Madame's Gallery in exchange for a deferral on donations. Unfortunately, when they arrive at Madame's place, it is revealed by Miss Emily that "[t]here's no truth in the rumour" (Ishiguro 258). This encounter snuffs out any hope that their future might not already be determined for them, and they are forced to come to terms with the facts that they must let go of this hope. While the phrase "never let me go" seems to indicate some potential for the characters to stick together or hold on to some aspect of themselves, the sad reality is that they all will be pushed toward death, with all their memories, relationships, dreams, and aspirations dying with them.