All good things must come to an end...

"It wasn't long after that I made my decision, and once I'd made it, I never wavered."  Never Let Me Go (p. 202)


Part Two of the novel ends with Kathy's final decision to become a carer.  But, what led to this point?


First of all, I think Kathy struggled to find her own voice at the Cottages.  She tried way to hard to fit in with Ruth, Tommy, and all her friends from Hailsham.  I think her decision showed that she was now ready to face reality and the cruel world.


Secondly, Kathy needed to get away from Ruth.  Even though Ruth was a good friend at a time, she just became manipulative and bossy.  Kathy did not need that kind of influence in her life.


Finally, Kathy's hopes of holding on to Tommy were crushed.  Since Ruth told Kathy that Tommy would never be interested in her, Kathy feels there is nothing left at the Cottages that could really benefit her life.


I believe the exact moment everything changed was when Ruth said:  "It's not just me, sweety.  Kathy here finds your animals a complete hoot."  This showed a loss of trust between the triangle of people.  Without trust, relationships can not build.  I would also say that this was the climax of the novel.  This is the place where the most intensity and suspense is created.  Basically, all relationships start to fall down hill after this is said.  Without a climax, the novel could never come to a proper conclusion.


Unfortunately, Ruth's ride around her fate must end.  Now she must face it on a day to day basis.  How will she react?  How will seeing her friends die effect her?