Obscurity vs. Transparency: How Miss Emily and Miss Lucy Approach Knowledge of the Students' Future Anonymous 12th Grade

The novel Never Let Me Go focuses on the ethical implications of cloning and scientific progress. It was written at a time when these controversial subjects were very popular among contemporary readers due to the scientific breakthrough of Dolly the sheep, the first cloned animal. The book raises questions regarding the ethics of human cloning through Miss Emily and Miss Lucy, who have conflicting views on the issue.

The novel can be interpreted as a criticism of the Marxist framework on the control of information. The students are “told and not told” about their purpose, leaving them ignorant and not fully aware of their role in society nor the implications of being a “donor”. Miss Emily is the Headmaster of Hailsham, so the authority figure that decides what information is kept from the students. This creates a constant feeling of secrecy among the clones, who feel constantly worried about being seen or heard talking about certain subjects, such as Tommy and Kathy talking by the pond when no one is around. This can be viewed as resembling communist societies.

On the other hand, Miss Lucy does not share this conviction to the cause and is more conflicted about the ethics of donations. This is made clear by her outburst in the...