Comparative Themes

Humanity and Identity

Overview

Both Frankenstein and Never Let Me Go deeply explore the meaning of humanity, examining how external forces, such as societal rejection or institutional control, shape individual identity. Shelley's novel critiques humanity's responsibility towards artificial life, emphasizing the tragic consequences of exclusion and alienation. Ishiguro's text interrogates the ethical treatment of clones, challenging perceptions of humanity and individuality while questioning the morality of scientific exploitation.

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Key Plot Points

• Creation of the Monster: Victor's success in animating life is overshadowed by his horror and immediate rejection of his creation, which sets the stage for the monster's identity struggles.
• Rejection by Society: The monster is spurned by all it encounters due to its appearance, underlining the societal bias that determines worth and identity.
• Search for Purpose: Despite its suffering, the monster seeks companionship and connection, showcasing its innate humanity and need for meaning.

Key Characters

• Victor Frankenstein: A scientist consumed by ambition, whose disregard for ethical responsibility leads to his torment and ultimate ruin.
• The Monster: A being both human and other, whose identity is shaped by rejection and whose tragic quest for belonging underscores the novel's critique of societal exclusion.

Key Quotations

"I am malicious because I am miserable."

• Reflects how rejection and isolation corrode the monster's morality, linking identity to social acceptance.

"You are my creator, but I am your master; obey!"

• Demonstrates the inversion of power between creator and creation, highlighting the consequences of neglect and hubris.

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

Key Plot Points

• Life at Hailsham: The clones are raised in an environment designed to cultivate their humanity while concealing their true purpose, questioning the sincerity of ethical care.
• Gradual Realization: Kathy, Ruth, and Tommy uncover the truth of their origins and destiny, provoking reflections on identity and agency.
• Inevitability of Purpose: Despite fleeting resistance, the characters confront their roles as donors, symbolizing a predetermined loss of identity and autonomy.

Key Characters

• Kathy H.: A reflective and resilient narrator whose memories underscore the complexity of clone identity and the humanity within their constrained lives.
• Ruth: A friend driven by jealousy and insecurity, whose eventual regret and attempts at reconciliation reveal a yearning for individuality.
• Tommy: A deeply emotional character whose quest for deferrals reflects hope and resistance against their grim fate.

Key Quotations

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

• Highlights the dehumanizing treatment of the clones, questioning the ethics of their existence.

"What I'm not sure about is if our lives have been so different from the lives of the people we save."

• Reflects the shared humanity between the clones and the humans they serve, blurring the lines of identity and worth.

Science and Ethical Responsibility

Overview

Both texts critique humanity's pursuit of scientific advancement at the expense of ethical considerations. Shelley's Frankenstein examines the dangers of unchecked ambition and the failure to take responsibility for one's creations. Ishiguro's Never Let Me Go presents the commodification of human life through cloning, prompting readers to question the morality of exploiting individuals for societal gain.

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Key Plot Points

• Creation without Responsibility: Victor's obsession with scientific discovery leads him to create life but neglect his ethical duty towards his creation, resulting in tragedy.
• Consequences of Neglect: The monster's suffering due to Victor's abandonment highlights the ethical consequences of irresponsible scientific ambition.

Key Characters

• Victor Frankenstein: Symbolizes the perils of pursuing knowledge without moral accountability.
• The Monster: Serves as a critique of Victor's failure to consider the ethical implications of his experiment.

Key Quotations

"Learn from me... how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge."

• Warns against the reckless pursuit of scientific discovery without regard for its consequences.

"You seek for knowledge and wisdom, as I once did; and I ardently hope that the gratification of your wishes may not be a serpent to sting you."

• Reflects Victor's regret over his unchecked ambition and its ethical costs.

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

Key Plot Points

• Cloning and Organ Donation: The clones' existence questions the morality of using humans as means to an end, exposing the darker side of scientific advancement.
• Hailsham's Role: Hailsham is portrayed as an ethical experiment, attempting to humanize the clones while still exploiting them for organ donation.

Key Characters

• Kathy H.: Her reflective narrative highlights the ethical dilemmas inherent in the clones' treatment.
• Miss Lucy: Challenges the morality of the system by revealing the clones' purpose, emphasizing the need for transparency and ethics in scientific practices.

Key Quotations

"Your lives are set out for you. That's what each of you was created to do."

• A stark statement of the clones' lack of autonomy and the moral failure of their creators.

"The problem, as I see it, is that you've been told and not told."

• Highlights the manipulation and partial truths that prevent the clones from fully understanding their exploitation.

Isolation and the Need for Connection

Overview

Isolation and the longing for connection are key themes in both novels. Shelley's Frankenstein explores how rejection isolates both the creator and the created, while Ishiguro's Never Let Me Go highlights the bonds between the clones as their sole solace in an otherwise isolating existence.

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Key Plot Points

• The Monster's Isolation: Constant rejection isolates the monster, driving it to despair and violence.
• Victor's Solitude: Victor's obsessive pursuits and guilt alienate him from family and society.

Key Characters

• The Monster: Embodies the pain of isolation and the desire for companionship.
• Victor Frankenstein: Illustrates how isolation born of ambition and guilt can lead to ruin.

Key Quotations

"I am alone and miserable; man will not associate with me."

• Highlights the deep loneliness and despair caused by societal rejection.

"Accursed creator! Why did you form a monster so hideous that even you turned from me in disgust?"

• Reflects the monster's anguish and longing for acceptance from its creator.

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

Key Plot Points

• Friendships at Hailsham: The bonds between Kathy, Ruth, and Tommy provide emotional sustenance amidst their grim reality.
• Tommy's Hope for Deferrals: Represents the clones' attempts to delay isolation and forge deeper connections.

Key Characters

• Kathy H**.**: Uses her relationships to maintain a sense of connection in an isolating existence.
• Tommy and Ruth: Their complex dynamics underline the importance of companionship despite inevitable separation.

Key Quotations

"It had never occurred to me that our lives... could unravel and separate over a thing like that."

• Captures the fragility of human connections in the face of external pressures.

"I keep thinking about this river somewhere, with the water moving really fast... holding on as hard as they can, but in the end, it's just too much."

• Symbolizes the inevitability of separation and the struggle to maintain connection.

Memory and the Past

Overview

Memory shapes identity and influences the present in both novels. Shelley's Frankenstein reflects on Victor's memories of his creation as a source of guilt, while Ishiguro's Never Let Me Go emphasizes the importance of memory in preserving the clones' humanity and understanding their purpose.

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Key Plot Points

• Victor's Regret: Haunted by the memory of his actions, Victor reflects on the catastrophic consequences of his creation.
• The Monster's Grievances: The monster recounts its memories of rejection, which fuel its resentment towards Victor.

Key Characters

• Victor Frankenstein: His memories of ambition and failure drive his guilt and eventual downfall.
• The Monster: Uses its painful memories to justify its vengeance and demand justice.

Key Quotations

"The past was but the beginning of a beginning, and all that is and has been is but the twilight of the dawn."

• Reflects the enduring impact of past actions on present and future events.

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

Key Plot Points

• Hailsham Memories: Kathy's reflections on her time at Hailsham preserve her humanity and provide meaning to her life.
• Reunion and Reflection: The characters' shared memories shape their emotional connections and decisions.

Key Characters

• Kathy H**.**: Her memories serve as a lens through which she examines her identity and experiences.
• Ruth and Tommy: Their memories influence their attempts to reconcile and understand their shared past.

Key Quotations

"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."

• Emphasizes the role of cherished memories in shaping identity and providing comfort.

"What I'm not sure about, is if our lives have been so different from the lives of the people we save."

• Contemplates the shared humanity between clones and humans, shaped by the past.