The value and importance of friendship is very apparent throughout the novel “Never Let Me Go”. Kazuo Ishiguro utilizes both characters and language to show exactly how important it is to everyone, clone or human, to have a person or people to depend upon for all kinds of twists that life brings your way.
The most apparent friendships described throughout the story is that of the narrator, Kathy. Kathy describes memories of various events spent with her two closest friends, Ruth and Tommy. Both of which grew-up with her and so hold a special and strong friendship.
Ruth is one of Kathy’s closest girlfriends. Ever since they were young the two spent most of their time together, confiding in each other, and having each others back. Throughout the story, even when times got hard, Kathy and Ruth would always look out for each other. One example was when Kathy supported Ruth’s story at school regarding that pencil case. Even though Kathy knew the truth and had confronted Ruth in private, she still backed-up her story noting to Midge they couldn’t tell her where it came from and remarking that is was “a big mystery”(page 63). In doing so Kathy kept the inside fictitious story alive within the close group of girls. Later the same respect was shown by Ruth as she tried endlessly to find Kathy’s lost tape. In the end, Kathy ended-up being Ruth’s carer. Supporting and comforting her through the donations until Ruth was complete.
The other major friend described was Tommy. Like Ruth, Tommy and Kathy were friends ever since they were young children. Even through the constant criticism provided to Tommy by other children, Kathy was always there to help calm him down and help him through his difficult times. They would talk about all kinds of item to which neither fled comfortable speaking with others about. Even until the end, Kathy was there for Tommy through his donations up until this fourth donation when he completed.
Another part of the story which reflected the need for companionship and value of friendship is seen with the carers. They are clones which are there to comfort and support the donors as they go through their donations on until they complete. This provides the donors with the comfort for relaxation and not stressing out or worrying about what happens to the donors when they complete.
Friendship and moral support is seen throughout the book to help the characters through their life as they work their way to their known end. The friendships are a great way for them to have the same socialism as humans have within their own society. This also is a way to show the similarities between the humans and clones, and the social needs that both require within their life.
