For this journal I am going to choose the subject of cloning and what it meant to the novel. The entire basis of the novel revolves around the highly controversial idea of human cloning. Even though the actual concept of cloning is not mentioned until the end of the novel, when Kathy and Tommy go to seek their deferral, we are aware of its presence very early. The idea is alluded to many times in the early parts of the story with strange word usage such as "donors" or "carers" and by other parts of the plot such as the absence of any parents at Hailsham and the odd things the children learn. The secret is finally revealed in chapter seven when Miss Lucy reveals who the children really are and the meaning behind their existence by stating; "You'll become adults, then before you're old... you'll start to donate your vital organs" (81). From this point on, the idea and concept behind human cloning is in the back of every readers mind and plays a major part in how we interpret the actions of the characters for the rest of the book. The idea is not brought up often in the actual context of the story, but its presence is always there. It silently dictates how many of the events will play on later in the book.
Ishiguro was probably not writing this book with the intention of causing a debate over the ethics and morales of human cloning. Cloning is not a focal point by any means within the story, except for it brining the eventual end to their lives. Ishiguro wanted his readers to focus on the other aspects of life that are talked about much more in the story, but ultimately are based around the fact they are clones. The actual idea of human cloning is highly controversial, and for this exact reason. Clones are essentially exact copies of normal human beings, which is proven by their actions and emotions throughout the story. Yet besides this, they do not posses any rights and they are killed in order to maintain the health of the rest of the population. This unfair ideal is brought up at the end of the story during the conversation between Kathy and Tommy and Madame and Miss Emily. We learn about how Hailsham and the other schools were attempting to end this unfair treatment, but failed due to people regaining fear over a genetically superior group of humans. This may be Ishiguro's way of giving his input on the notion of cloning, but this remains the only real stated area of discussion over the ideals of this theme anywhere in the novel.
The topic of cloning morals is an interesting topic. This novel was written at the correct time as scientists have been working on the cloning process of animals, it does bring-up the ideas of human cloning. The various fears and possibilities of cloning in general provide all kinds of ideas and allies for creativity. The novel obviously viewing the possibilities which maybe presented when considering human cloning, and the risks also involved when controlling and taking a life.
ReplyDeleteSam,
ReplyDeleteThe topic of cloning was very hidden in the story, I agree that Ishiguro didn't write it based on morals or to discuss the idea. I do believe that he touched base on what we might have to go through in order for it to be successful. It is unfair how the students are treated and the way to actually have treated the students, who saved so many lives, to act as if they didn't exist was absurd.
The knowing that the students were clones, didn't come to our attention towards the ending of the novel but to know that they weren't accepted as normal human beings and used for just donations shows that any cloning in our society will not be accepted, even if cloning was used for saving lives or bringing back a dead child. Ishiguro maybe focusing on how we take things for granted and appreciate our time.
ReplyDeleteSam, i believe that the topic of cloning was hidden deeply in this novel, and it wasn’t written to sway ones decision on the idea of cloning. Even if this was possible it would be morally unethical for society to engage in this type of actions. Using clones to show that life for normal society in this book is indispensable due to the fact of having backup parts so to say, but that the reader should not take their life for granted in that we have no backup parts.
ReplyDelete