Never Let Me Go ch. 16 - 18

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 4

Never Let Me Go

Chapters 16 - 18

In Class Today

Summary and analysis chapters 16-18

Chapter 16 - summary

 Kathy runs into Ruth and Tommy around the Cottages—the two of them are having a heated discussion and Ruth calls Kathy over, telling her that Tommy has introduced his “Gallery theory” to her.

Ruth mercilessly mocks Tommy's theory and art in front of Kathy. Kathy is stunned and silent, and soon Ruth lets out that Kathy, too, finds the animals “a complete hoot.”

Why would Ruth do this?

Chapter 16 - analysis

We could view this moment as the definitive end of their childhood and youth—of the life represented by Hailsham and the Cottages. After this, Kathy will have to work hard, years later, to repair her relationship with Tommy, and Ruth and Tommy will never really recover—they will split soon after leaving the Cottages.

Chapter 17 - Summary

Kathy also has a conversation with Ruth and learns that Ruth has apologized to Tommy.

 Ruth goes on to say, however, that though she and Tommy are probably splitting up, Tommy “doesn’t see Kathy” as a potential girlfriend, primarily because Kathy has been indiscriminate in the boys she’s slept with. 

Kathy, though shocked by this bald-faced and hurtful statement, remains quiet, and even “thanks” Ruth for her honesty.

Chapter 17 - Analysis

This is perhaps Ruth’s lowest and cruelest moment. Ruth seems intent on making Kathy believe that she has no chance with Tommy. 

Perhaps Ruth senses, even at this point, that Tommy and Kathy are growing closer together, and that, inevitably, they will begin a relationship. 

Or perhaps Ruth wishes to upset Kathy even more, after their other difficult conversation outside, about Tommy’s “animals.”

Chapter 18 - summary

Kathy recounts the start of her life as a carer. She says that the long hours, the “solitude,” and the difficulty of dealing with people’s donations makes the job a tough one—but Kathy has shown an aptitude for it

Chapter 18 - Summary

Kathy learns that Hailsham is closing but does not know what to think of this news but she finds a metaphor for her feeling when she watches a clown holding a fistful of bright balloons. 

Kathy worries that one balloon might be “let go and fly away,” and she wonders whether that isn’t similar to the feeling of the Hailsham students now in the world, with Hailsham gone. 

The thing that once bound them together will soon no longer exist.

Chapter 18 - summary 

 Kathy decides that, though it might be difficult, she ought to try to be Ruth’s carer

 Ruth mentions one session that there is an abandoned boat that has run aground, and that one can visit the boat. 

Ruth is in the mood for a break from the monotony of the hospital and after a conversation about Tommy, who is also working as a donor now, they decide to pick him up and take him along as well.

Topics in "Never Let Me Go"

• Maturation and “Growing Up”
• Individual Goals vs. Social Expectations
• Life, Death, and Humanity
• Cloning, Donation, and Humanity
• Creativity and Humanity