The Theme of Mortality in Never Let Me Go

      Never Let Me Go has made me consider mortality in a very different way. This is primarily because the characters of the book constantly have their lives threatened because they know their time is limited. In modern society , we often have the privilege of living day-to-day without the constant thought of death. Our frequent problems consist of what we wear to work or how to prep for an exam. However, Kathy, Ruth, and Tommy have an underlying comprehension of how and when their lives will conclude.

The theme of mortality shapes the entire novel. This is because every experience the characters have is heightened by the knowledge of being clones. For example, a few chapters into the book, Kathy explains: “didn’t we all dream from time to time about one guardian or other bending the rules and doing something special for us? A spontaneous hug, a secret letter, a gift?” (Ishiguro, pg. 60). These characters are holding on to any last morsel of joy they can get. A small gesture of even just a hug is meaningful because they don’t experience the typical joys of life. Being a clone means being separated from conventional society and sacrificing common human experiences.

     The impact of mortality as a theme was certainly recognized by Ishiguro. Towards the middle of the novel, he wrote that “if you're to have decent lives, you have to know who you are and what lies ahead of you, every one of you” (Ishiguro, pg. 81). Although it wasn’t him speaking directly, the impact and meaning still carries through. Being introspective and informed is what gives meaning to life. The horrors of living in Hailsham will challenge one to think critically about mortality and life. Towards the end of the story, we see the children accept their fate and recognize the experiences they had in their lives.

When watching the in-class interview with Ishiguro, he stated that he wasn’t trying to make this novel particularly morbid. In fact, he thought in some way this may have been one of the more uplifting books he’s published. With that being said, this does not diminish the importance of mortality as a theme. If Kathy and her peers weren’t donors, the novel would lose its main context. The intense emotions felt by both the characters and the readers is largely why this book is so well known and regarded.