Comparative Key Quotations Revision Notes for Edexcel A-Level English Literature

Comparative Key Quotations

Humanity and Alienation

Both The War of the Worlds and Never Let Me Go explore themes of humanity and alienation, portraying characters who grapple with their sense of self in a world that views them as "other."

The War of the Worlds

"The fear I felt was no rational fear, but a panic terror not only of the Martians but of the dusk and stillness all about me."

The narrator experiences profound alienation and terror, emphasising his disconnection from familiar surroundings due to the Martian invasion.
This quote illustrates how the presence of the "other" (Martians) disrupts the protagonist's sense of normalcy and belonging.
The irrational fear underscores the psychological impact of feeling alienated in one's environment.

Never Let Me Go

"We all complete. Maybe none of us really understand what we've lived through, or feel we've had enough time."

The characters in Never Let Me Go face alienation through their status as clones, destined for organ donation.
This quote reflects their existential struggle and sense of otherness, highlighting their internalised alienation and acceptance of their fate.
The notion of "completion" versus living a full life emphasises the characters' disconnection from the broader human experience.

Survival and Evolution

Both The War of the Worlds and Never Let Me Go address survival and evolution, examining how characters adapt or fail to adapt to changing circumstances.

The War of the Worlds

"It may be that in the larger design of the universe this invasion from Mars is not without its ultimate benefit for men; it has robbed us of that serene confidence in the future which is the most fruitful source of decadence."

The Martian invasion forces humanity to confront its vulnerabilities, accelerating its evolutionary progress.
This quote suggests that adversity can lead to intellectual and societal advancements, promoting resilience and innovation.
The loss of "serene confidence" underscores the necessity of continuous adaptation for survival.

Never Let Me Go

"We didn't have to look into your souls, we had to see if you had souls at all."

The characters' struggle for recognition and survival as sentient beings reflects their evolutionary plight.
This quote highlights the ethical and existential challenges faced by the clones, questioning their place in the human hierarchy.
The notion of having or lacking a soul emphasises the characters' fight for identity and survival in a dehumanising system.

Power and Control

Both The War of the Worlds and Never Let Me Go explore themes of power and control, depicting how external forces dominate and manipulate the lives of individuals.

The War of the Worlds

"No one would have believed, in the last years of the nineteenth century, that this world was being watched keenly and closely by intelligences greater than man's."

The Martians' superior intelligence and technological prowess represent an overwhelming force of control over humanity.
This quote establishes the theme of power dynamics, illustrating humanity's vulnerability and lack of control.
The unexpectedness of the invasion highlights the precarious nature of human dominance.

Never Let Me Go

"We took away your art because we thought it would reveal your souls. Or to put it more finely, we did it to prove you had souls at all."

The removal of art from the clones is a means of exerting control and denying their humanity.
This quote underscores the manipulative power structures that govern the clones' existence, stripping them of autonomy.
The emphasis on art and souls highlights the broader struggle for self-expression and identity against oppressive forces.

The Unknown and Fear

Both The War of the Worlds and Never Let Me Go delve into the fear of the unknown, portraying characters who face existential uncertainties and the dread of what lies beyond their understanding.

The War of the Worlds

"As men busied themselves about their various concerns they were scrutinised and studied, perhaps almost as narrowly as a man with a microscope might scrutinise the transient creatures that swarm and multiply in a drop of water."

The analogy of humans being observed like microscopic creatures emphasises the fear and insignificance felt in the face of the unknown.
This quote illustrates the unsettling realisation of being watched and manipulated by a superior force.
The comparison to transient creatures underscores the theme of existential vulnerability and fear.

Never Let Me Go

"Memories, even your most precious ones, fade surprisingly quickly. But I don't go along with that. The memories I value most, I don't ever see them fading."

The fear of losing one's past and identity is a central theme, highlighting the characters' existential dread.
This quote reflects the struggle to hold onto personal history and meaning in the face of an uncertain future.
The emphasis on memories underscores the human desire to find permanence amidst the ephemeral nature of existence.

Humanity and Dehumanisation

Both The War of the Worlds and Never Let Me Go address themes of humanity and dehumanisation, depicting how individuals are reduced to mere objects or beings of lesser value.

The War of the Worlds

"And we men, the creatures who inhabit this earth, must be to them at least as alien and lowly as are the monkeys and lemurs to us."

This quote highlights the dehumanisation of humans by the Martians, who view them as inferior beings.
The comparison to monkeys and lemurs emphasises the drastic shift in the natural hierarchy and the loss of human dignity.
It illustrates the theme of being rendered insignificant and expendable in the eyes of a more powerful force.

Never Let Me Go

"None of you will go to America, none of you will be film stars. And none of you will be working in supermarkets as I heard some of you planning. Your lives are set out for you."

The predetermined fate of the clones underscores their dehumanisation and lack of autonomy.
This quote emphasises the systemic control and the stripping away of the characters' hopes and dreams.
The denial of a future beyond their designated roles highlights the brutal reality of their existence.

Isolation and Connection

Both The War of the Worlds and Never Let Me Go explore themes of isolation and connection, portraying characters who struggle to find meaning and companionship in their lives.

The War of the Worlds

"In order to finally see outside the walls of his strange prison, the narrator has to summon the courage to move the weed aside with his hand."

The narrator's physical and psychological isolation is symbolised by the red weed, which he must overcome to reconnect with the world.
This quote illustrates the struggle to break free from confinement and the yearning for connection.
The act of summoning courage highlights the internal battle against isolation and fear.

Never Let Me Go

"I keep thinking about this river somewhere, with the water moving really fast. And these two people in the water, trying to hold on to each other, holding on as hard as they can, but in the end it's just too much."

The metaphor of the river reflects the characters' struggle to maintain connections in a world that pulls them apart.
This quote emphasises the fragility of human bonds and the inevitability of separation.
The imagery of holding on and being swept away underscores the emotional turmoil of isolation and the desire for lasting connections.

Technology and Ethics

Both The War of the Worlds and Never Let Me Go address the impact of technology and ethics, examining how scientific advancements shape human existence and moral dilemmas.

The War of the Worlds

"The Martians' invasion has contributed to humanity's scientific endeavours while also stripping away society's 'serene confidence in the future.'"

The technological superiority of the Martians forces humanity to reconsider its place in the universe and its scientific pursuits.
This quote illustrates the double-edged sword of technological advancement, bringing both progress and existential uncertainty.
The loss of confidence highlights the ethical implications of scientific discoveries and their impact on society.

Never Let Me Go

"It's a shame, Kath, because we've loved each other all our lives. But in the end, we can't stay together forever."

The ethical dilemmas of cloning and organ donation are central to the characters' lives and relationships.
This quote underscores the emotional and moral complexities of a technology-driven society that sacrifices individual lives for medical advancements.
The theme of love and separation highlights the human cost of technological progress and ethical choices.

Identity and Self-Discovery

Both The War of the Worlds and Never Let Me Go explore themes of identity and self-discovery, depicting characters who grapple with their sense of self in the face of external challenges.

The War of the Worlds

"I felt […] a sense of dethronement, a persuasion that I was no longer a master, but an animal among the animals, under the Martian heel."

The narrator's realisation of his diminished status forces a reevaluation of his identity and place in the world.
This quote illustrates the existential crisis and the struggle for self-discovery amidst an alien invasion.
The theme of dethronement emphasises the fragility of human identity and the search for meaning in a changed reality.

Never Let Me Go

"I was thinking about the rubbish, the flapping plastic in the branches, the shore-line of odd rubbish and broken machinery. Why would he know about that stuff? It's not something for kids."

The characters' journey of self-discovery is marked by their grappling with their purpose and the meaning of their existence.
This quote reflects the characters' awareness of their artificial and predetermined lives, questioning their identity.
The imagery of rubbish and broken machinery symbolises the fragmented nature of their self-perception and the search for wholeness.

Comparative Key Quotations (Edexcel A-Level English Literature): Revision Notes