Conversely , Never Let Me Go ’ s Kathy embraces the euphemisms of ‘ carer ’ and ‘ donor ’ used throughout her time at Hailsham and The Cottages , making the roles appear voluntary . 58 Sociological studies suggest that humans experience a fundamental need for belonging , with these euphemisms making Hailsham students feel as though they belong in these roles in society , even if , as demonstrated by Kathy ’ s narrative , they become aware of the true nature of their situation . 59 Despite Kathy ’ s awareness that these are not roles she has chosen , the fact that she continues to use these euphemisms in her adulthood shows that the sense of belonging she feels from having assigned societal roles prevents her from rejecting these positions . On the opening page of her narrative , Kathy writes : ‘ it means a lot to me , being able to do my work well .’ 60 In taking ownership of the role of carer through the possessive pronoun ‘ my ,’ Kathy is persuaded to consent to her continued part in the posthuman system of Hailsham , with the uncertainty of a life without ownership of this one role simply too much to comprehend .
Conclusion
In conclusion , postmodern texts Never Let Me Go and Riverdale use emotionally wounded characters to construct posthuman worlds in which characters come to accept being used for greater ends in exchange for feeling a sense of belonging . The communities in which these characters find themselves are viewed as safe spaces which cannot be replicated elsewhere , as characters seek solace from the terrors of the outside world . The length of time spent in these areas is irrelevant in the development of the hegemony , with Hailsham ’ s characters being indoctrinated into the system from birth , and The Farm ’ s members joining when the transition between child and adult central to the bildungsroman is near completion . What is important however , is the trauma response and seeking of safety : Hailsham ’ s students find a sense of belonging and a societal role as the tentatively named ‘ carers ’ and ‘ donors ,’ and The Farm ’ s members find familial figures where they have lacked family stability thus far . Whilst Kathy and Betty are both presented as understanding their social systems , only Betty is shown to be directly opposed to this , with her horror at the relaxed attitude of The Farm ’ s members resembling the way outsiders react to Kathy ’ s narrative . In creating the posthuman out of traumatised and lonely young people seeking belonging , texts demonstrate the strong emotional charge of individuals placed in ‘ posthuman ’ scenarios ; showing that they may be the most ‘ human ’ of us all .
58
Ishiguro , 3-4
59
Jane R . McCarthy , ‘ The Powerful Relational Language of ‘ Family ’: Togetherness , Belonging and Personhood ,’ The Sociological Review , 60 ( 1 ) ( 2012 ), 68-90
60
Ishiguro , 3