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Marxist Critical Theory: Looks at power, class, and inequality. It focuses on how the ruling class controls the working class and how people can be unknowingly trapped in unfair systems.

Archetypal Theory: Focuses on recurring characters, symbols, and stories (like the hero, the lost soul, or false hope) that appear across cultures to reveal universal human experiences.

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This analysis of Never Let Me Go uses Marxist and archetypal theory to explore how power and control shape the clones’ lives. Marxist theory focuses on class struggles and how systems maintain inequality. Archetypal theory looks at patterns in characters and symbols that reflect human experiences. Ishiguro uses these ideas to show how the clones are conditioned to accept their fate, revealing the dangers of false hope and blind acceptance in society.

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Stage 1 English Literary Studies - Responding to Texts: Novel Study (Critical Perspectives)

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Stage 1 English Literary Studies - Responding to Texts: Novel Study (Critical Perspectives)

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After completing a close reading of Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro, use the lens of at least two of the following critical perspectives to address how an audience’s interpretation of the text may vary:

Feminist / Gendered

Archetypal or Mythological

Marxist / Social Class

New Historicism (Extrapolation)

Psychoanalytic or Freudian

Eco-Criticism

Queer Theory

Religious

Develop a coherent argument that is clearly defended by evidence from the novel in paragraphs.

Refer explicitly to at least two Critical Perspectives and how these influence the reader’s interpretation of the text.

Embed relevant quotations and references to the novel.

Refer to specific literary / film devices.  Apply the correct nomenclature.

Polish your written expression and make sure that the structure of paragraphs are clear and accessible.

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How does Never Let Me Go portray the clones as an oppressed underclass? In what ways do they internalize their oppression, and how does this mirror class struggle in real-world societies?

How might an audience interpret the clones’ passive acceptance of their fate? Does it serve as a warning against complacency in oppressive systems?

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​Kazuo Ishiguro's Never Let Me Go portrays how the clones internalise their subjugation, aligning with Marxist theories of oppression. In this dystopian setting, clones are engineered to serve as a proletariat, their existence benefiting a distant, dominant class, the 'normals'. This obedience is not innate but is instilled through societal conditioning from childhood. Hailsham's educational system functions as an ideological state apparatus, aligning the clones' beliefs with the interests of the ruling class, ensuring compliance without overt coercion. Ruth's admission, "We all know it. We're modeled from trash. Junkies, prostitutes, winos, tramps" (p. 128), shows this internalised stigma, reflecting Marx's concept of false consciousness, where the working class is unaware of its exploitation. The clones' acceptance of organ donation as their destiny mirrors real-world labour exploitation and class stratification. For marginalised readers, especially those facing systemic inequality, the horror lies not just in the organ harvesting but in the clones' passive acquiescence. Ishiguro compels readers to confront how individuals can be conditioned to endure and justify oppression, offering a subtle, yet powerful, critique of hierarchies masquerading as benevolent order.​

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How does Kathy embody the archetype of the “Caretaker” or “Witness” figure? In what ways does her role as a carer reinforce or challenge this archetypal function?

How might an audience interpret Kathy’s role? Does she represent resilience in the face of fate, or does she embody passive acceptance of oppression?

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​In Kazuo Ishiguro's Never Let Me Go, Kathy's role as a carer demonstrates the archetype of the passive "Witness" figure, one who observes but does not act to change systemic suffering. Through the Marxist critical theory, the acceptance of this role becomes a tragic reinforcement of ideological conditioning. Rather than questioning the morality of her position, Kathy treats her duties with pride, remarking, "My donors have always tended to do much better than expected. Their recovery times, their calm, even before fourth donations, tend to be impressive." (pg. 5). This dispassionate tone suggests a deep internalisation of institutional values, the process by which individuals adopt and fully accept the norms, beliefs, and practices of the bourgeoisie as an integral part of their own identity. Rather than resisting the system, she measures her worth by how efficiently she supports its continuation. The audience is thus positioned to see how oppression is sustained not just by the ruling class but by those who unknowingly uphold it. Kathy's quiet compliance mirrors real-world workers, who are praised for productivity rather than autonomy under the capitalist system. Ishiguro's novel highlights how oppressive systems can lead to the passive acceptance of injustice, urging readers to reflect on the dangers of accepting systems without resistance.

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“Deferral” as the “Illusion of Hope” Archetype

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“Deferral” as the “Illusion of Hope” Archetype

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The clones’ belief in the “deferral” rumor reflects the “Illusion of Hope” archetype often seen in mythology and literature. How does this situation reinforce or subvert traditional narratives of redemption?

How might an audience react to the clones’ hope? Does it make their fate more tragic, or does it emphasize their ability to dream despite oppression?

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Through the use of the archetypal theory, Kazuo Ishiguro’s use of the “Illusion of Hope” archetype in Never Let Me Go highlights the impact of false promises on the clones’ lives. The rumour of “deferral”, which said that true love could delay a clone’s donation, initially resembles traditional narratives where hope leads to redemption. However, Ishiguro subverts this traditional idea and uses it to emphasises the futility of the idea, and their escape from their fate. Miss Emily’s cold dismissal of their hope, “There's no truth in the rumour. I'm sorry. I truly am.” (pg. 199) shatters their belief in a future, showing the control the system has over them. This false hope not only destroys any potential resistance but also prevents the clones from imagining any other possible future. The emotional impact on readers is multifaceted; some may view the clones’ belief as tragically naïve, while others see it as a form of resilience, a refusal to relinquish imagination. Ultimately, Ishiguro positions hope as both a destructive force and a reflection of the human spirit. The clones’ passive acceptance mirrors how hope can be manipulated by those in power, forcing the audience to confront the dangers of an unquestioning belief in systems designed to oppress. This critique urges reflection on how ideologies can shape and limit one’s understanding of freedom and autonomy.

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In a world increasingly shaped by genetic engineering and AI, Never Let Me Go raises questions about identity and human worth. How does the novel’s use of archetypes (such as the “Lost Soul” or the “Tragic Hero”) make it relevant today?

How might an audience interpret these archetypes in modern society? Does the novel serve as a warning about the dehumanization of certain groups, or does it highlight an inevitable part of progress?

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Kazuo Ishiguro’s Never Let Me Go remains relevant in today’s world, where developments in biotechnology and AI continue to raise difficult questions about identity, autonomy, and ethics. Using the archetypes of the “Lost Soul” and the “Tragic Hero”, Ishiguro explores what happens when people, or those seen as less than human, are valued only for what they can provide. Kathy represents the modern tragic hero, not because she makes a fatal mistake, but because she quietly accepts a fate she cannot change. Her final reflection, “I just waited a bit, then turned back to the car, to drive off to wherever it was I was supposed to be” (pg. 222), highlights a quiet, but haunting, resignation. This sense of powerlessness mirrors the experience of people in our society, refugees, underpaid workers, or even AI systems programmed to mimic humanity, yet denied their rights as sentient beings. This implores the audience to ask who gets to be seen as human, and who does not? Ishiguro does not reject scientific progress outright, but he does show the emotional cost when we forget the people at the heart of it. The novel becomes a warning, reminding humanity that advancement means nothing if it comes at the price of empathy and dignity.

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180+213+217+207 = 817