Is Never Let Me Go AP Worthy? I've considered this questions at all the different stopping points in the novel, and after just the first few pages, I was ready to say no. Now I've changed my mind... I think?
I won't lie to you all, if I were teaching an AP English course Never Let Me Go wouldn't be in the curriculum. With so many books to choose from, I'd have a hard time justifying reading this particular novel. The main reason for this is because I don't see the significance of the meaning of the work as a whole. The books I've read for AP English so far (Poisonwood Bible, Song of Solomon, Brave New World, Handmaids Tale) all had interesting and challenging ideas about society, gender, race, and other equally tough topics, and they leave a lot to be questioned. Never Let Me Go isn't like that.
However, this is part of its charm. Nothing, and I mean nothing, in Never Let Me Go is spelled out for the reader. All the key plot points, the setting, even the main characters, are left to the readers to figure out for ourselves. The messages behind the other novels were fairly out there and in your face, you always knew what the author was trying to say. Becuase we see the world through the eyes of Kath, who see's everything from a very different perspective than we might, the ideas in the novel are very very subtle. Which creates an interesting writing style.
Never Let Me Go offers a stark contrast in writing style to the other books I read. There isn't the same conflict and drama, but that isn't to say there isn't a possibility for it. After all, all of our main characters are being farmed for their organs. However, this isn't the main focus of the book, we just follow Kath in her mundane world, she isn't much troubled by the fact that her friends are slowly dying around her, she cares about her friends lives, her job, and the gossip of the town, much like a normal person might.
On top of the offering of a different type of novel and writing style, another reason to teach Never Let Me Go is that is offers an abundance of literary techniques. Approximately every sentence has foreshadowing in it, and studying the type of narration is interesting and different as well. Something I noticed, in particular, is that the setting is very important, it holds a significance beyond what it might in your average novel, the way Kath describes the buildings often leads to insights that you might miss otherwise. For example for all of the praise Kath gives Hailsham she also talks nearly endlessly about 'the best places to talk' where others might 'not hear you or be secretly listening'. Because of this, you are shown that something secretive could be going on at Hailsham.
I suppose I will leave my readers with this, I'm not sure if Never Let Me Go is AP worthy, but I don't think that it isn't. There is enough in it to teach about, but it is yet to be determined if the 'meaning of the work as a whole' will render the novel important enough to be taught. Perhaps the other students reading my book have different opinions, this is just mine. I will have to read their blogs and find out for myself!
Belle, I always enjoy reading your blogs, you make each post so easy to comprehend especially if you have never read the book. I feel as if I have a great understanding of your characters and the authors style just from reading a few paragraphs each posting.
ReplyDeleteI like how you say you do not think this novel is AP curriculum worthy because every other story we have read is about society, gender equality, or race, and this lacks that element. However, do you think it maybe AP worthy in the sense of the reader has to figure out the meaning of the work as a whole them self because the author doesn't deliberately say it? Or there are more than one meanings and the author wants the reader to come up with their own interpretation and thoughts? Not trying to change your mind and again I have't read the book, but just a though.
Catherine, yes I would agree that the book is more AP worthy because the reader has to figure out the meaning for themselves. It makes the book different than most, but equally as interesting, in my opinion. The reader has to really analyze Kath and her behavior then decide for themselves the morality or normalcy of whatever situation she is in. You're very right, the need for the readers own interpretation of the book adds to its "AP Worthy-ness".
DeleteBelle, as you continue to read, I think it will be helpful to think about how Ishiguro uses the style and focus of the book, Kath's "mundane life" as you call it, to help highlight issues and questions of morality as related to the topics of cloning and organ donation. What moral questions might be raised and also heightened by this contrast?
ReplyDeleteMrs. LaClair, thank you for your hint! Thinking back the casualness of the novel certainly makes a point. I will have to pay attention more and perhaps apply my new knowledge in the "Meaning-of-the-Work-as-a-Whole" blog post. It is very interesting how Kath goes along with the whole donation aspect of the book, and how accepting she and everyone in the novel is of this horrid idea. There is certainly a comment about society there that I will have to think about further.
DeleteHi Belle! Nice blog post! I was also questioning the literary merit of this book at first. I like your inclusion of discussion about foreshadowing; I never saw setting as a tool for foreshadowing, so it's neat that you saw the connection! I also agree that our other books we've read so far have a lot more going on up front as far as themes, motifs, and symbolism. I know for me class discussions really help me pin-point what's going on and what to pay attention to, so I had to really dig down to find some meanings of the work as a whole. I focused on the idea of identity and how it's related to artwork. While the Hailsham students are clones, they are able to find self-expression through studio art and music! Just wanted to share that thought :) Do you think the subtle-ness of the themes could be a theme?! Can't wait for your final blog post!
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