I chose the theme of art and creativity because I feel that it plays an important role in the way the children are brought up, especially in the early parts of the story. The children are never told exactly why they do so much art in their early years. We only find out later in the story that it was an attempt to prove that the clones had soles and were more than just a source for organs for the rest of society. But the children never learn this and instead just assume that this is part of their daily lives and that creativity is a very important aspect of who they are. Towards the beginning of the book, Kathy confronts Tommy about his newly changed attitude and when Tommy replies that he was told by Miss Lucy that “if I didn't want to be creative... that was perfectly alright." (Ishiguro 23) Kathy takes this as a complete lie. She doesn't see how it is possible to be okay to not be creative. Creativity is so far implanted in the minds of the children at Hailsham that it has become a part of their daily lives and is basically considered a necessity. Tommy was previously out casted by the other boys for his below average ability at creating art (and because of his tantrums). Being creative was more than just a way of life at Hailsham, it was nearly a necessity for the children to survive the rigorous social climate of the school.
Ishiguro was very obvious about the children's need for art in their daily lives. This does not make very much sense until we learn the true meaning behind Hailsham, and the entire plot, at the end of the novel. We suddenly realize the much deeper meaning that Ishiguro was implementing. The children's art was meant to prove that they were truly human beings, the same as everyone else in society, and not just slabs of flesh that contained organs to be harvested from. The art they were making could have potentially saved their lives by proving that they were actually intelligent and thoughtful. The entire goal of Hailsham was to get society to understand this through the children's art and to hopefully change public opinion on the entire subject of harvesting organs from clones. When Miss Lucy mentioned to Tommy that he didn't have to be creative, I believe she was alluding to the fact that their efforts at Hailsham were failing. That the art the children were creating were not persuading anything from the public. And so she knew that no matter what Tommy did with his creative side, he would eventually be a donor and would die like all of the other clones.
This theme can easily mean many different things to different people. From my understanding though, Ishiguro was suggesting, among many other things throughout the plot, that our society is losing grasp on its creative side. Due to the fact that all of the hard efforts of the children to create various forms of art fell through and failed, Ishiguro suggest that our society is so unmoved by creativity that it cannot even save the lives of the children who drew them. Despite the obvious creativity and intellectual ability the children possess, the greedy society fails to see this ability and instead only sees what they want from the clones. Ishiguro is suggesting that if our society still valued art and creativity like it once did, then these children and the lives of future clones could be saved.
The creativity of the children is such an odd angle to the story; it does not really seem to serve a purpose at first. Ultimately the purpose of the clones is to further human lives, that is, after all, what organ donation is for, it saves lives and in turn helps people to live longer. The desire of society to live long lives is extremely evident through the artwork of the children. Creativity and intellect are thrown away in order to create donors. It is not so much that humans do not care about creativity at all, the artistic talents of the donors were a big selling point. However, as far as priorities go, furthering the human race very obviously comes before developing creativity in the minds of the humans, and of society today.
ReplyDeleteI like how you refer to the art and creativity of Hailsham. Also, the possibility of the chance it could save their lives, or change society’s rash ideas of the clones, even though they were created to save lives. And although in the end we find out Miss Emily was a cofounder to Hailsham, we see her tell Tommy it didn’t matter and alter retract her statement we see the mood change at the end when Madame, Miss Emily, Tommy and Kathy are talking back to almost resentment.
ReplyDeleteIn the beginning I didn't understand the concept of the creativty. The whole part of the making fun of Tommy I thought was irrelvent of the story until we find out in the end. The use of their art skills was to determine whether or not they had a soul. As of todays society our world is determine by creativety and intelligence.I believe it does determined our inner being and our limits in this world. We have architects, artists, actors and etc. These people determine in some way to be creative.
ReplyDeleteThat is a very good relation that i like that you made with the people are losing their grip with creativity. It is the only thing that may save these clones life by showing that they have souls just like any other person rather than just spare parts and organs for other living people just like themself.
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