Karpman Drama Triangle Character Analysis

The Karpman Drama Triangle is used in the book to show how the relationship is between Kathy, Tommy, and Ruth. The Karpman Drama Triangle is based off who is the victim, rescuer, persecutor. The roles are switched at times but they remain the same most of the time. The Triangle is scenarios of three people in a relationship but they all have their own secrets. The relationship may cause confusion and it can be dysfunctional. Ishiguro applies the roles of the Karpman Drama Triangle to the characters in the novel to show how characters trapped in a dysfunctional relationship are able to develop and get out of the roles to create a functional relationship.

Tommy is being the shown as the victim because of the way everyone is seeing the drawing.

She is the rescuer because she usually cares for Tommy in order for him to not have a temper tantrum like when they were younger. She has always been there to keep him sane, so he can feel like someone cares. Kathy shows her willingness to help by asking about “his favourite polo shirt…. He’s going to be sick if he ruins that shirt” (Ishiguro 8). She has always wanted to protect Tommy from embarrassing himself. Kathy felt like she was responsible for Tommy so he can achieve all he can. In the beginning, he would not allow it because he did not feel good about a girl asking him about his shirt. He soon realized that she was just trying to help. He also realized that she was one of the people who would listen to him. Kathy has also found herself in a different role like a victim. When she is in this role Kathy is basically rolling over for the person. She is just automatic to apologize because she just wants things to smooth out. She is afraid of losing everyone after moving on from Hailsham. She thinks her kindness will fix the problems in their relationship. Kathy’s kindness just does not give the rest of them a look to see what she is thinking or what they need to fix. They are missing the communication for them to succeed. “Forgive me for what? Well for starters, there’s the way I always lied to you about your urges” (Ishiguro 231). Kath thinks Ruth will brush over this but it is hurting them in the long run with their