Navigating Post-Memory Crisis in Organ Donation in Kazuo Ishiguro’s Never Let Me Go

Abstract

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro delves deep into the intersections of memory transmission, identity, and moral dilemmas within an alternate reality where cloned humans are predestined for organ donations in Hailsham. Through the lens of post-memory, the ‘second generation's’ indirect experience of prior collective traumas this exploration highlights the clones’ internal struggles with predetermined destinies and memories that aren't intrinsically theirs. While memories act as anchors, connecting clones to each other and offering solace, they also underscore their lack of agency and individuality. Ishiguro’s work stands as a compelling testament to the role of memory in defining identity and value in life, challenging perceptions of what it means to be truly human.