Boat. During the last part of the novel, the three main characters Kathy, Tommy and Ruth go see an abandoned boat that has been an exciting topic among most of the other donors. When the three finally get to see the boat, it is abandoned on the sandy beach and described as wearing away its colours (also in the film it is old and rusty looking). The boat could be a metaphor for the donors as the boat’s true nature is to be off shore and sailing, which would be fulfilling its purpose to existence. Yet, it is left abandoned on shore as it is finished its duties to be off shore and now time to “complete”. Just like the donor’s true nature is to live a good life, as humane as possible but then there will be a time when they will eventually have to “rust”, in their case would be to do their donations and once they have fulfilled their purpose; like the boat, they will “complete”.
The boat could also be a symbol of morality. As the three friends sit there, just looking at the boat alone; Ruth has a sudden confession and apologetic speech for Tommy and Kathy. She expresses how sincerely she is about how she knew it was Tommy and Kathy all along, as though she had been waiting for a long time to say this to them. Throughout the novel, this is a completely different side to Ruth that we see as we see her more to be arrogant. She then pleads the two to take a piece of paper that she has; written on it is Madam’s address. Since all talks about Madam in Hailsham was all serious and no joke, this is where it shows how sincere Ruth is being for Tommy and Kathy to be together. (go to Madam to get “deferrals”)
Norfolk. Norfolk is introduced to the students at Hailsham to be a place that was mysterious and unknown, as there was no pictures of it when being taught the geography of the country. The students often came up with theories of everything; Norfolk’s theory was that it was a place where all lost things were placed. Ishiguro uses layered imagery to enforce this vision, from the ongoing metaphor of Norfolk being home to lost things. An example of this would be when Kathy lost her tape. Later when they decided to take a trip to Norfolk, Kathy was able to find (in a shop) the tape that she had lost when she was in Hailsham; making the characters continue to believe how Norfolk is home to all lost things.
However, Norfolk can also be a place symbolising hope but also holding the truth. We discover this from their whole purpose to visit Norfolk in the first place; to see Ruth’s “possible”. At a glance, the characters got ecstatic about how it might be Ruth’s possible. When they greed for more knowledge, to fully confirm that it was Ruth’s “possible” – such as following the lady right into the gallery; this made all of them eventually find out that she was nothing like Ruth, and it was just some random lady. While in the gallery, the characters also discovered how they were not as different as they were told to be within an environment with humans. An example of this would be when they were in the gallery; a lady approached Tommy thinking he was some sort of art student.
Field. The field, the spacious area around Hailsham and nature described within the novel is often portrayed positively and brightly (especially in the film). Yet, it could have symbolising negative aspects. A way this can be read is that the field and Hailsham being in the middle of nowhere would show how isolated and alienated the donors/clones and Hailsham itself is from society and normal humans. Although within the film, the scenery is shown beautifully with bright green grass and leaves; yet there are also barbed-wire surrounded the open field; both when the characters were at Hailsham and at the end of the film when Kathy is standing by herself. This can show how oppressed they are within their fate. Although when they were at Hailsham, they lived their daily life as usual and felt like it was normal therefore continued to do so without any problem.
Great job! Thanks for the help!