Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Ishiguro's world building through langauge

In the first half of the book, Ishiguro carefully controls the language used to withhold information from the reader.  In essence, Ishiguro creates his own vocabulary by giving words like "carer," "donor," and "completed" new Never Let Me Go-specific meanings.  Ishiguro does not explain these meanings directly, he introduces them organically through Kathy in the narrative.  Kathy speaks to the reader as if the reader should be familiar with what these words mean (in her world), but of course the reader does not know the special meanings which these words carry until much later on in the narrative.  I think this does two very interesting things.  First, this reproduces the "flashback" journey of Kathy, Ruth and Tommy as they learn who and what they are; Ishiguro creates the opportunity for a reader-response scenario where the reader's discovery emulates that of the characters.  Second, and maybe more importantly, Ishiguro's use of language is part of "world building."  Just as important as the concept that Ishiguro created additional meaning for words within Never Let Me Go is his choice of the words themselves.  "Complete(d)," "carer," and "donor" are all rather innocuous words in themselves, but they are also generally positive words.  Caring for someone is seen as a noble thing, as is donating.  Complete suggests a positive end to something, though it has more potential than the other two words for negative connotation.  These are supposed to be good words, but Ishiguro uses them to signify things that, in plain terms, would be dark and disturbing to people.  Because, for most readers, these words have a mostly positive connotation associated with them, and Ishiguro uses them to represent such ugly things in the world he builds, it says something about that world and the people that live in it--that it is deceptive.  

1 comment:

  1. But let's think about the euphemisms that obscure the realities in our lives too. Ever work a crappy job but been complemented for "giving 100%" as you collect that minimum wage? Sort of like the language of "donation," right? Does Ishiguro's ironic language of care perhaps point out our own fully manufactured sense of mutual human care?

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