Memory and identity

One of the central themes of Kazuo Ishiguro’s novel Never Let Me Go is that of identity and the importance of memories. In the novel, memories are seen as a vital part of the characters’ identities.

The novel represents Kathy H.’s account of the people and relationships that mattered to her. Although she has lost everyone, she still has the memories, sometimes even in the form of tangible objects – such as the tape Ruth gives her to replace her lost one (Chapter 6, 100%). Kathy’s memories help her to cope with the losses she has experienced and the future that awaits her.

Kathy mentions how one of her donors complains that even your most precious memories fade “surprisingly quickly” (Chapter 23, 83%). Kathy, however, disagrees. For her, the memories are still fresh, and she still clings to them, despite the fact that she has been forced to let go of everything else. She considers her memories “the things she values most” (Chapter 23, 83%). 

This i...