Never Let Me Go Identity

In Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro, the themes of a lack of identity, a lack of freedom and a complicated friendship recur throughout the book through the main characters. The characters, Kathy, Ruth, and Tommy are clones in this dystopian society created for one purpose. In this dystopian society, the purpose of all clones is to donate their organs to the original human they were cloned from. They do not have a choice to do anything else with their lives representing their lack of freedom and choice. In addition, the young characters do not know how to act or react in certain social situations because they are not exposed to the outside world representing their ignorance and lack of identity. Lastly, the theme of friendship and relationships

The three commence as confidants, but soon after their friendship deteriorates. Throughout the story, Kathy and Ruth are constantly in conflict which symbolizes the shortfall of trust and strength in their partnership. When they reconcile, it is almost always awkward, despite the amount of time they have known each other. This arises the questions, are Ruth and Kathy friends because they genuinely appreciate each other’s company or is it because of the position that they are in? Are they friends because they appreciate each other’s company or because they do not have anyone else to be their friend? When Kathy retreats in order to begin her career training, she does not say goodbye to her Ruth or Tommy whom she has grown up with. Ruth’s romantic relationship with Tommy prevented Kathy from ever developing her own relationship with Tommy despite their obvious closeness.In the finale, Ruth makes an effort to assist Kathy and Tommy stay together for as long as possible despite her feelings for Tommy. This sacrifice is a sign of true friendship and growth on Ruth’s part. The complicated relationships between the characters, Kathy, Ruth, and Tommy happens because of their lack of freedom, identity, and perpetual disagreements. Also, the three do not have the opportunity to view examples of friendship or are taught the qualities of a true friendship so once again, it is something they simply were not