In this paper, I will focus on the societal system in which Kathy lives in order to prove that her identity is strongly influenced by the society’s distinctive attitudes towards the clones. Therefore, after theoretically considering the process of identity formation through applying Mead’s sociological approach, I will analyze the socio-cultural context of the novel. Subsequently, I will look at Kathy’s narrative identity and examine to what extent her narrated personal self-image can be traced back to the attitudes and values of the societal system in the novel.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1. Introduction
- 2. What is identity? - Mead's sociological approach
- 3. The society in Never Let Me Go
- 4. Narrative identity – the ideal medium for presenting Kathy's identity
- 5. The influences of the society on Kathy's identity formation
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper examines the societal influences on Kathy H.'s identity formation in Kazuo Ishiguro's Never Let Me Go. It analyzes how Kathy's narrative identity, as a clone created for organ donation, is shaped by the socio-cultural context of her existence. The paper uses Mead's sociological approach to identity formation as a theoretical framework.
- Identity formation in a dystopian society
- The role of social interaction in shaping identity
- The influence of societal attitudes on self-perception
- Narrative identity as a reflection of societal influences
- The impact of societal expectations on the lives of clones
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage by discussing the bioethical debates surrounding human cloning, sparked by the cloning of Dolly the sheep. It introduces Kazuo Ishiguro's Never Let Me Go as a fictional exploration of a world where human clones are created solely for organ donation. The chapter focuses on Kathy H., the novel's protagonist, and her retrospective narration of her life, highlighting how her narrative reveals her identity formation process within this specific socio-cultural context. The chapter establishes the central theme of the paper: exploring how society influences Kathy's identity.
2. What is identity? - Mead's sociological approach: This chapter delves into the theoretical framework of identity formation, utilizing George H. Mead's sociological approach. It defines identity as a relational developmental process, emphasizing the importance of social interaction and reflection in shaping self-perception. Mead's concepts of the 'I' and the 'Me' are introduced, explaining how the individual's response ('I') to societal expectations ('Me') contributes to a dynamic understanding of self. The chapter establishes the theoretical foundation for analyzing Kathy's identity formation within the societal context of the novel.
3. The society in Never Let Me Go: This chapter establishes the unique socio-cultural context of Ishiguro's novel. It describes the society depicted, where human clones are created and raised specifically for the purpose of organ donation. The societal attitudes towards these clones, their social standing, and the ways in which they are treated become crucial for understanding the context in which Kathy's identity develops. This lays the groundwork for analyzing how these societal norms and values directly shape Kathy's self-perception and experiences.
4. Narrative identity – the ideal medium for presenting Kathy's identity: This chapter explores the concept of narrative identity as a key tool for understanding Kathy's self-perception. It discusses how Kathy's memoir-like narrative structure allows the reader to witness her process of making sense of her past experiences and integrating them into her present reality. The chapter focuses on the narrative structure itself as a revealing aspect of identity formation, suggesting that the way she constructs her story reflects her understanding of herself within the societal context.
5. The influences of the society on Kathy's identity formation: This chapter directly analyzes how Kathy's identity is formed by the society depicted in Ishiguro's novel. It examines how the attitudes and values of the broader social group influence Kathy's self-perception, emphasizing the interplay between her individual experiences and the societal context. This chapter likely delves deeply into specific examples from the novel, illustrating how particular social interactions and societal pressures affect her understanding of who she is.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Identity formation, narrative identity, sociological approach, George H. Mead, Never Let Me Go, Kazuo Ishiguro, cloning, dystopian society, societal influence, self-perception, social interaction.
Frequently Asked Questions: Never Let Me Go - Societal Influences on Identity Formation
What is the main topic of this paper?
This paper examines how societal influences shape Kathy H.'s identity formation in Kazuo Ishiguro's Never Let Me Go. It uses Mead's sociological approach to analyze how Kathy's narrative identity, as a clone created for organ donation, is shaped by her socio-cultural context.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
Key themes include identity formation in a dystopian society, the role of social interaction in shaping identity, the influence of societal attitudes on self-perception, narrative identity as a reflection of societal influences, and the impact of societal expectations on the lives of clones.
What is the theoretical framework used in this analysis?
The paper utilizes George H. Mead's sociological approach to identity formation. This approach emphasizes the relational and developmental aspects of identity, highlighting the importance of social interaction and reflection in shaping self-perception, particularly through the concepts of the 'I' and the 'Me'.
How is the novel, Never Let Me Go, used in the analysis?
Never Let Me Go provides the case study. The analysis focuses on Kathy H., the protagonist, and her narrative as a primary source for understanding her identity formation within the unique socio-cultural context of the novel's dystopian society.
What are the chapter summaries?
The paper is structured into five chapters. Chapter 1 introduces the bioethical context of cloning and the novel. Chapter 2 explains Mead's sociological approach to identity. Chapter 3 describes the dystopian society in Never Let Me Go. Chapter 4 explores narrative identity as a means of understanding Kathy's self-perception. Chapter 5 directly analyzes how societal influences shape Kathy's identity formation.
What is the significance of Kathy's narrative?
Kathy's narrative is crucial. Her retrospective account provides direct insight into her identity formation process, allowing for an analysis of how she makes sense of her experiences and integrates them into her self-understanding within the societal context.
What are the key societal influences on Kathy's identity?
The paper analyzes how societal attitudes towards clones, their social standing, and the ways they are treated all directly shape Kathy's self-perception and experiences. Specific examples from the novel are used to illustrate this interplay between individual experiences and societal pressures.
What are the keywords associated with this paper?
Key words include identity formation, narrative identity, sociological approach, George H. Mead, Never Let Me Go, Kazuo Ishiguro, cloning, dystopian society, societal influence, self-perception, and social interaction.
- Quote paper
- Myriam Nickels (Author), 2017, Society's Influences on Kathy H.'s Identity Formation in Kazu Ishiguro's "Never Let Me Go", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/358733
