Important Quotations

• “‘It’s all part of what made Hailsham so special,’ she said once. ‘The way we were encouraged to value each other’s work.’”

  Retrospective Narrative - reinforces the fact that Kathy is an unreliable narrator.

  The quotation reveals that Hailsham was different.

• “You could see lots of aerials and satellite dishes, and sometimes, right over in the distance, a glistening line that was the sea.”

  Natural imagery - causes the reader to pity the clones as they become excited over such mundane things.

  They are isolated from the rest of society, there is a sense of entrapment.

• “Everything - the walls, the floor - has been done in gleaming white tiles, which the centre keeps so clean when you first go in it’s almost like entering a hall of mirrors.”

  Colour symbolism - reinforces that it’s a clinical setting, however it seems slightly daunting, almost as if it's overcompensating. It seems plain, like it has no character or personality, suggesting that it isn't an inviting or comfortable environment.

  Simile - suggests some sort of distortion.

• “When you lift an arm, or when someone sits up in bed, you can feel this pale, shadowy movement all around you in the tiles.”

  Colour symbolism - suggests some sort of darkness surrounding the clones.

  Also there is a suggestion of them being surveilled.

• “Even you, Ruth, you didn’t dare boss Christy around.”

  Reveals that Ruth is a character that is demanding and intimidating.

• “But Ruth didn’t get my point - or maybe she was deliberately avoiding it.”

  Theme of hidden truths. Also suggests that Ruth is a character that prioritises herself and is dismissive of others, ignoring their opinions. Also suggests that she may be a bit arrogant and self-centred.

Context

• Unreliable Narrators - Ishiguro's narrators are characteristically unreliable.

• This feature can be compared to the multiple narrators of Frankenstein, who all could be lying.