How does Ishiguro use imagery to describe the setting of Hailsham, and what effect does this have on the reader's perception of the school and its environment?
Discuss the symbolism of the “collections” that students at Hailsham keep. What might these collections represent about the characters' identities and desires?
Examine the use of metaphor in Kathy’s description of her role as a carer. How does this metaphor deepen the reader's understanding of her character and the themes of the novel?
Plot
What role does the revelation about the true purpose of Hailsham students play in the development of the plot, and how does it change the reader's understanding of the story?
How does the narrative structure, shifting between past and present, affect the unfolding of the story and the suspense surrounding the characters' fate?
Discuss the significance of the “Gallery” and Madame's visits to Hailsham. How do these elements foreshadow later developments in the plot?
Character
Analyze how Kathy H.'s character evolves from her childhood at Hailsham to her role as a carer. What key experiences contribute to her development?
Discuss the relationship dynamics between Kathy, Ruth, and Tommy. How do these relationships illuminate each character's personality and growth throughout the chapters?
Examine the portrayal of Miss Lucy and her interactions with the students. What does her character reveal about the themes of conformity and individuality within the novel?
Quotes
"I now felt awful and I was confused. But as we stood there together staring at the fog and rain I could think of no way now to repair the damage I’d done. I think I said something pathetic like: 'It’s all right I didn’t see anything much' which hung stupidly in the air. Then after a few further seconds of silence Ruth walked off into the rain"
"I went on watching Miss Lucy through all this and I could see just for a second a ghostly expression come over her face as she watched the class in front of her. Then—I kept watching carefully—she pulled herself together smiled and said: 'It’s just as well the fences at Hailsham aren’t electrified. You get terrible accidents sometimes.' ... 'You get terrible accidents sometimes.' What accidents? Where? But no one picked her up on it and we went back to discussing our poem"