Summary of Chapter by Chapter (Never Let Me Go) Chapter Two

Chapter Summary

In Chapter Two of "Never Let Me Go," the narrator, Kathy, reflects on her experiences at Hailsham boarding school, focusing on the themes of gossip, bullying, and the significance of creativity. The narrative shifts between different time frames in Kathy's life: her present at age 31, her recollections in her 20s with Ruth, and her experiences at age 13, particularly concerning Tommy, who is bullied for his lack of artistic talent.

Kathy expresses her fear of gossip, highlighting the difficulty of having private conversations in the close-knit environment of Hailsham. The lunch queue is one of the few places where students can talk without being overheard, illustrating the pervasive nature of rumors at the school. Despite Hailsham's seemingly idyllic reputation, it harbors a culture of systemic bullying that affects students like Tommy, who endures years of torment due to his artistic struggles.

The chapter also introduces the concept of "exchanges," where students showcase their creative works and receive tokens based on the value assigned by the Guardians. This system places immense pressure on students and influences their social standing. Tommy's experience with art leads to jealousy and bullying, while Ruth, who is a dominant figure among her peers, is also affected by the hierarchy established by artistic talent.

Two new characters, Miss Emily and Miss Lucy, are introduced. Miss Emily is the headmaster overseeing art classes, while Miss Lucy encourages Tommy to embrace his lack of creativity, providing him with newfound confidence. The chapter concludes with the idea that the pressures of creativity and the dynamics of bullying are central to the students' experiences at Hailsham.

Speakers

Notable Quotes

— 03:22 — « It came home to me with a kind of chill that Tommy had been going through what he had been going through not just for weeks or months but for years. »
— 04:29 — « On the surface the exchanges might sound like a fun maybe high pressure group activity, but it's not until we look at how these characters are reacting to the exchanges and influenced by them that we see just how powerful the concept of creating is at Hailsham. »
— 06:06 — « He's talking rubbish because it is so foreign a concept for her that creating things isn't important. »
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