I am currently on part 3 of Kazuo Ishiguro’s “Never Let Me GO” and I am no sure on my choice of Marxism as the theme my coursework will be based upon. I am particularly interested in the theory of how it is the way we are brought up and the surroundings and soicety we live in that shapes our views, opinions, actions and overall being as we get older. This is particularly specific within Ishiguro’s novel as it seems that the key decisions the protagonists make within the novel are based on how much they are told by their teachers with Hailsham and this is particularly established by the characters Madame and Miss Lucy. However, in this sense what is fascinating is that class is not a reliant aspect within the story as it is eliminated by Ishiguro by creating a type of unity as each student is a clone and all have the same purpose in life, these being there donations. Although, this unity is removed as the students move to the cottages and eventually when they become carers as instead of a class system Ishiguro has created a differentiated society through where they grew up and what care homes they went to.
This theme is also significant within George Orwell’s 1984 as ultimately it is Winston Smith’s vague memory of a past before the Party took over which inspires him into taking the actions he does within the nove. He knows of a past reality where things were better and this is effectively contrasted through the character of Julia. Winston is somewhat honourable in the sense that he is fighting against an oppressive force and would do so even with no support whereas Julia is somewhat selfish, interested in rebelling only for the pleasures to be gained.
It is these aspects I will want to explore in my upcoming coursework.