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Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro and Into the Water by Paula Hawkins Read the two extracts below and then answer both part a) and part b) - OCR - GCSE English Literature - Question 2 - 2021 - Paper 1
Question 2
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro and Into the Water by Paula Hawkins Read the two extracts below and then answer both part a) and part b). You are advised to spen... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro and Into the Water by Paula Hawkins Read the two extracts below and then answer both part a) and part b) - OCR - GCSE English Literature - Question 2 - 2021 - Paper 1
Step 1
Compare how sadness is presented in these two extracts.
Answer
In both extracts, sadness is conveyed through the characters' experiences and emotional responses. The situations they encounter reveal their inner turmoil. For instance, in 'Never Let Me Go', Hailsham's grim realities make the characters confront existential grief, showcasing their feelings of isolation and loss. The language used, such as dim imagery and reflective tones, evokes a deep sense of melancholia.
Conversely, in 'Into the Water', sadness arises from the character's perception of betrayal and the aftermath of tragedy. The author uses stark, vivid descriptions and fragmented sentences which amplify the despair felt by the characters, enhancing the emotional weight of their circumstances.
Overall, both extracts utilize language and imagery to deeply illustrate the complexities of sadness, though they do so through different lenses of experience and reflection.
Step 2
Explore another moment in Never Let Me Go where there is a sad event.
Answer
One poignant moment in 'Never Let Me Go' occurs during the visit to the deferral clinic. Here, the characters, including Kathy and Tommy, confront the cruel reality of their existence as clones raised for organ donation. The somber atmosphere is underscored by their naïve hope for deferral, reflecting their desire for a temporary escape from their grim fates.
The emotional weight is intensified through Ishiguro’s subtle yet powerful narrative style, where dialogues reveal their vulnerability and longing for a normal life. The technique of using juxtaposed past and present events highlights the tragic irony of their situation, amplifying the sadness as they come to terms with their inevitable futures. This moment serves as a microcosm of the broader themes of loss and the quest for identity present throughout the text.