Comparative Themes

Humanity and Survival

Overview

Both "The War of the Worlds" by H.G. Wells and "Never Let Me Go" by Kazuo Ishiguro delve into the theme of humanity and survival, exploring what it means to be human under existential threats. In "The War of the Worlds," humanity's struggle for survival is depicted against the backdrop of an alien invasion, emphasizing human vulnerability and resilience. "Never Let Me Go" examines the lives of clones created for organ donation, raising profound questions about the value of human life and the ethical implications of survival under such conditions.

The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells

Key Plot Points

• Martian Invasion**:** The novel begins with Martians launching cylinders to Earth, initiating a terrifying invasion that threatens human survival.
• Heat-Ray Destruction: The Martians use a heat ray to incinerate humans and buildings, showcasing their technological superiority and the dire struggle for human survival.
• Human Response: Various human responses, from panic to organized military resistance, highlight the desperate fight for survival against the Martian threat.
• Martian Downfall: The unexpected death of the Martians due to Earth's bacteria underscores the randomness of survival, as the seemingly invincible aliens succumb to a basic earthly element.

Key Characters

• The Narrator: A philosophical writer who witnesses the invasion and grapples with the existential threat posed by the Martians.
• The Curate: A religious man whose psychological breakdown contrasts with the narrator's more pragmatic approach to survival.
• The Artilleryman: A soldier who initially partners with the narrator and later devises a plan to survive underground, symbolizing human resilience.

Key Quotations

"No one would have believed, in the last years of the nineteenth century, that this world was being watched keenly and closely by intelligences greater than man's and yet as mortal as his own."

• This opening line sets the stage for the existential threat and humanity's struggle for survival against a superior alien force.

"I felt as a rabbit might feel returning to his burrow and suddenly confronted by the work of a dozen busy navvies digging the foundations of a house."

• The narrator's reflection highlights the vulnerability and fear experienced by humans during the invasion.

"The fear I felt was no rational fear, but a panic terror not only of the Martians but of the dusk and stillness all about me."

• This quote underscores the psychological impact of the existential threat on the narrator.

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

Key Plot Points

• Life at Hailsham: The novel introduces the clones at Hailsham, who are raised for organ donation, setting the stage for their existential plight.
• Revelation of Purpose: The characters gradually learn the true purpose of their existence, deepening their existential crisis.
• Struggle for Meaning: The characters' attempts to find meaning and connection in their limited lives highlight their humanity and desire for survival beyond their biological purpose.
• Acceptance of Fate: The inevitability of organ donation and the characters' varying degrees of acceptance underscore the ethical and existential dilemmas of their existence.

Key Characters

• Kathy H.: The protagonist and narrator, whose reflections on her life at Hailsham and beyond explore themes of memory, identity, and survival.
• Ruth**:** Another close friend of Kathy's, whose complex relationships and eventual reconciliation reflect the human need for connection amidst existential threats.
• Tommy**:** Kathy's friend and love interest, whose emotional struggles and quest for deferrals symbolize the human desire for extended survival.

Key Quotations

"What I'm not sure about, is if our lives have been so different from the lives of the people we save. We all complete. Maybe none of us really understand what we've lived through, or feel we've had enough time."

• This quote captures the existential uncertainty and quest for meaning experienced by the clones.

"I keep thinking about this river somewhere, with the water moving really fast. And these two people in the water, trying to hold on to each other, holding on as hard as they can, but in the end it's just too much."

• Tommy's metaphor reflects the struggle for connection and survival in the face of inevitable separation and death.

"It's a curious thing. And I suppose it's also a part of being human: you somehow go along with things you wouldn't at all expect to."

• This quote underscores the themes of acceptance and the human condition within the clones' constrained existence.

Order and Hierarchy

Overview

"The War of the Worlds" by H.G. Wells and "Never Let Me Go" by Kazuo Ishiguro explore the theme of order and hierarchy in society. "The War of the Worlds" depicts the disruption of human societal order by a superior alien force, forcing humans into a subordinate position. "Never Let Me Go" examines the rigid hierarchy within Hailsham and the broader society, where clones are subordinated to humans, raising questions about ethical and moral hierarchies.

The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells

Key Plot Points

• Martian Superiority: The Martians' advanced technology and dominance challenge human societal order, reducing humans to a lower hierarchical status.
• Human Panic and Disorganization: The initial human response to the invasion is chaotic, revealing the fragility of societal order.
• Temporary Human Subordination: The Martian occupation places humans in a subordinate position, highlighting the precariousness of human dominance.
• Restoration of Order**:** The Martians' downfall due to bacteria restores human order, albeit with a newfound awareness of their vulnerability.

Key Characters

• The Narrator: His observations and experiences illustrate the disruption and eventual restoration of societal order.
• The Curate: His breakdown exemplifies the collapse of religious and moral order in the face of existential threat.
• The Artilleryman: His survival plans represent an attempt to create a new social order in response to the Martian threat.

Key Quotations

"The most extraordinary thing to my mind, of all the strange and wonderful things that happened upon that Friday, was the dovetailing of the commonplace habits of our social order with the first beginnings of the series of events that was to topple that social order headlong."

• This quote highlights the initial collision between normalcy and the catastrophic disruption of social order.

"With wine and food, the confidence of my own table, and the necessity of reassuring my wife, I grew by insensible degrees courageous and secure."

• The narrator's attempt to maintain order and normalcy amidst chaos reflects the human desire for stability.

"And before we judge of them too harshly we must remember what ruthless and utter destruction our own species has wrought, not only upon animals, such as the vanished bison and the dodo, but upon its own inferior races."

• This quote critiques human hierarchies and the destruction wrought by humans upon perceived lower species and races.

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

Key Plot Points

• The hierarchy at Hailsham: The rigid social structure at Hailsham reflects the subordination of clones within the institution.
• Clones' Realization of Their Status: The gradual awareness of their societal role and fate highlights the ethical implications of the hierarchical system.
• Deferrals and Hope: The characters' hope for deferrals represents a challenge to the established hierarchy, though ultimately futile.
• Broader Societal Hierarchy: The clones' experiences reflect the broader societal subordination of clones to humans, raising ethical questions about the value of life.

Key Characters

• Kathy H.: Her reflections on her life at Hailsham and beyond illustrate the impact of hierarchical structures on personal identity and freedom.
• Miss Lucy: A guardian at Hailsham who challenges the hierarchical system by revealing the truth to the clones.
• Tommy: His emotional struggles and quest for deferrals symbolize resistance to the established order.

Key Quotations

"The problem, as I see it, is that you've been told and not told. You've been told, but none of you really understand, and I dare say, some people are quite happy to leave it that way."

• This quote highlights the manipulation and control inherent in the hierarchical system at Hailsham.

"We didn't have to look into your souls, we had to see if you had souls at all."

• This quote reflects the dehumanizing perspective of the broader society towards the clones, questioning their humanity.

"Your lives are set out for you. You'll become adults, then before you're old, before you're even middle-aged, you'll start to donate your vital organs. That's what each of you was created to do."

• This blunt revelation underscores the clones' subordinate status and the ethical implications of their existence.

Science and Technology

Overview

Both "The War of the Worlds" by H.G. Wells and "Never Let Me Go" by Kazuo Ishiguro explore the ethical implications of scientific advancement. "The War of the Worlds" critiques the dangers of technological superiority through the Martian invasion, while "Never Let Me Go" raises profound ethical questions about cloning and the use of human beings for medical purposes.

The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells

Key Plot Points

• Martian Technological Superiority: The advanced technology of the Martians, including their Heat-Ray and fighting machines, poses a significant threat to humanity.
• Human Technological Inferiority: The inadequacy of human technology in the face of the Martian invasion highlights the limitations of scientific progress.
• Martian Downfall: The Martians' demise due to Earth's bacteria serves as a critique of the overreliance on technology and the unforeseen consequences of scientific advancement.

Key Characters

• The Narrator**:** His observations and reflections on the Martian technology illustrate the themes of scientific progress and its dangers.
• The Artilleryman**:** His plans for survival and critique of human complacency highlight the consequences of technological inferiority.
• Ogilvy: The astronomer whose initial excitement about the Martian cylinders turns to horror, representing the scientific community's encounter with technological threats.

Key Quotations

"The intellectual side of man already admits that life is an incessant struggle for existence, and it would seem that this too is the belief of the minds upon Mars."

• This quote underscores the Darwinian theme of survival and the role of technology in this struggle.

"It may be that in the larger design of the universe this invasion from Mars is not without its ultimate benefit for men; it has robbed us of that serene confidence in the future which is the most fruitful source of decadence, the gifts to human science it has brought are enormous, and it has done much to promote the conception of the commonweal of mankind."

• This quote reflects on the potential positive outcomes of the Martian invasion, including scientific advancements.

"And before we judge of them too harshly we must remember what ruthless and utter destruction our own species has wrought, not only upon animals, such as the vanished bison and the dodo, but upon its own inferior races."

• This quote critiques human technological advancements and their destructive impact on other species and human societies.

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

Key Plot Points

• Cloning and Organ Donation: The novel's central premise of clones created for organ donation raises ethical questions about the use of scientific advancements.
• Characters' Realization: The gradual awareness of their purpose and the ethical implications of their existence underscores the moral questions surrounding scientific progress.
• Hailsham's Role: The institution of Hailsham represents an attempt to humanize the clones while still using them for medical purposes, highlighting the ethical dilemmas of cloning.

Key Characters

• Kathy H.: Her reflections on her life and purpose illustrate the personal impact of scientific advancements and ethical dilemmas.
• Miss Lucy: A guardian who challenges the ethical implications of the system by revealing the truth to the clones.
• Tommy: His emotional struggles and quest for deferrals symbolize the human response to ethical questions raised by cloning.

Key Quotations

"We didn't have to look into your souls, we had to see if you had souls at all."

• This quote reflects the dehumanizing perspective of the broader society towards the clones, questioning the ethics of their existence.

"The problem, as I see it, is that you've been told and not told. You've been told, but none of you really understand, and I dare say, some people are quite happy to leave it that way."

• This quote highlights the manipulation and control inherent in the hierarchical system at Hailsham, raising ethical questions about informed consent.

"Your lives are set out for you. You'll become adults, then before you're old, before you're even middle-aged, you'll start to donate your vital organs. That's what each of you was created to do."

• This blunt revelation underscores the clones' subordinate status and the ethical implications of their existence, questioning the morality of using human beings for medical purposes.

Memory and the Past

Overview

Memory and the past play crucial roles in both The War of the Worlds and Never Let Me Go. The War of the Worlds reflects on the impact of past events on present survival and understanding, while Never Let Me Go centres on the characters' memories of Hailsham and how their past shapes their understanding of themselves and their fate.

The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells

Key Plot Points

• Martian Invasion and Human Response: The story reflects on the initial Martian invasion and the human struggle for survival, emphasizing how past experiences influence reactions to new threats.
• Survival Instincts: The narrator's journey highlights how past knowledge and experiences contribute to survival tactics against the Martian invaders.
• Societal Collapse and Rebuilding: The aftermath of the Martian invasion shows humanity rebuilding and reflecting on the lessons learned from the past.

Key Characters

• The Narrator: Provides a reflective account of the invasion, emphasizing the role of past experiences in understanding and surviving the Martian threat.
• The Artilleryman: Represents a character whose survival plans are shaped by his past military experiences and observations.

Key Quotations

"No one would have believed, in the last years of the nineteenth century, that this world was being watched keenly and closely by intelligences greater than man's and yet as mortal as his own."

• Sets the stage for the reflection on humanity's past complacency and unpreparedness.

"By the toll of a billion deaths man has bought his birthright of the earth, and it is his against all comers; it would still be his were the Martians ten times as mighty as they are."

• Reflects on the resilience of humanity and the lessons learned from past events.

"The past was but the beginning of a beginning, and all that is and has been is but the twilight of the dawn."

• Emphasizes the continuous impact of past events on present and future survival.

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

Key Plot Points

• Hailsham Memories: The characters' memories of their time at Hailsham shape their understanding of their identities and fate as clones.
• Discovering the Truth: The characters' journey to uncover the truth about their existence is deeply intertwined with their memories of the past.
• Reunion with Ruth and Tommy: Kathy's reflections on her past relationships with Ruth and Tommy highlight the importance of shared memories in shaping their present connections.

Key Characters

• Kathy H.: The narrator whose memories of Hailsham and her relationships shape her understanding of her identity and fate.
• Ruth: Her recollections and regrets about her past actions influence her attempts to make amends and seek redemption.
• Tommy: His memories and emotional struggles reflect the impact of the past on his present behaviour and outlook on life.

Key Quotations

"Memories, even your most precious ones, fade surprisingly quickly. But I don't go along with that. The memories I value most, I don't ever see them fading."

• Emphasizes the lasting impact of cherished memories on personal identity.

"What I'm not sure about, is if our lives have been so different from the lives of the people we save. We all complete. Maybe none of us really understand what we've lived through, or feel we've had enough time."

• Reflects on the characters' contemplation of their past and its influence on their understanding of life and death.

"We took away your art because we thought it would reveal your souls. Or to put it more finely, we did it to prove you had souls at all."

• Highlights the significance of past actions and memories in shaping the characters' sense of self and humanity.

Love and Relationships

Overview

The importance of love and relationships is explored in both novels. The War of the Worlds touches on human connections and the narrator's desire to reunite with his wife. Never Let Me Go focuses on the deep bonds between the clones and how love and friendship sustain them in the face of their grim reality.

The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells

Key Plot Points

• Separation and Reunion: The narrator's journey is driven by his desire to reunite with his wife, highlighting the importance of personal relationships amid chaos.
• Human Solidarity: The novel depicts moments of solidarity and cooperation among humans as they face the Martian threat together.
• Emotional Resilience: The narrator's emotional resilience is bolstered by his love and concern for his wife, motivating him to survive and find her.

Key Characters

• The Narrator: His love for his wife drives much of his actions and decisions, highlighting the importance of personal relationships.
• The Curate: His interactions with the narrator reveal the strain that extreme circumstances can place on human relationships.
• The Narrator's Wife: Although not physically present for much of the novel, her role is crucial in motivating the narrator's survival.

Key Quotations

"If only I could have got to my wife and reached safety with her, I would have counted my life well spent."

• Emphasizes the narrator's love and the personal motivations behind his struggle for survival.

"I had a momentary impulse to go back and help him that very instant, but I thought of the risks to myself, and my impulse was checked."

• Highlights the tension between self-preservation and the desire to help others in dire situations.

"For my own part, I began to see things through his eyes, all my point of view was destroyed."

• Reflects the influence of relationships and empathy on the narrator's perspective.

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

Key Plot Points

• Hailsham Friendships: The deep bonds formed at Hailsham between Kathy, Ruth, and Tommy are central to the narrative, highlighting the importance of love and friendship.
• Kathy and Tommy's Relationship: Their evolving relationship underscores the significance of love and companionship in coping with their harsh reality.
• Ruth's Redemption: Ruth's attempts to make amends for past wrongs demonstrate the complexity of relationships and the desire for reconciliation.

Key Characters

• Kathy H.: Her relationships with Ruth and Tommy are pivotal, shaping her emotional journey and understanding of love.
• Ruth: Her interactions with Kathy and Tommy highlight the complexities of friendship and the possibility of redemption.
• Tommy: His bond with Kathy provides both characters with emotional support and a sense of purpose.

Key Quotations

"The problem, as I see it, is that you've been told and not told. You've been told, but none of you really understand, and I dare say, some people are quite happy to leave it that way."

• Reflects the impact of partial knowledge on relationships and trust among the characters.

"It had never occurred to me that our lives, until then so closely interwoven, could unravel and separate over a thing like that."

• Emphasizes the fragility of relationships and the factors that can strain them.

"What I'm not sure about, is if our lives have been so different from the lives of the people we save."

• Contemplates the shared humanity and emotional experiences between the clones and the humans they save, highlighting the significance of love and connection.