How does Ishiguro present the importance of art in 'Never Let Me Go'. Write about: How the characters use art in different ways, and what Ishiguro suggests that art can provide (30 marks)

Ishiguro's characters use art for different purposes. At Hailsham, staff encourage a transactional approach to art; hard work to produce art work is rewarded, and art can be exchanged and sold. However, we also see characters foster a personal relationship with art. Kathy connects with her cassette tape, which brings her comfort, and is important despite having no value aside from its sentimental value to her. Madame and Kathy's contrasting interpretations of the tape's lyrics also show that different people can interpret art in different ways, and that multiple interpretations are valid. Even Ruth, who has little sentimental attachment to possessions, connects with the artwork of the advertisement, as this gives her hope of a happy future, again showing how art can be personally sentimental and valuable. Tommy provides a final interesting use of art. Ultimately continuing to produce artwork even after it is shown to be fruitless, Tommy comes to enjoy the act of creation more than working for a specific purpose and shows that, counter to Hailsham's teachings, the act of creating art simply for the personal joy of doing so can be incredibly valuable. Thus, through his varied portrayals of art, Ishiguro shows that artworks can be valuable in different ways, to different people. Whether the value lies in the end product, the experience of interacting with the work, or the act of creating art, it is indisputable that art is of the utmost importance in Never Let Me Go.