Characterization: Never Let Me Go

"She was a tall, narrow woman with short hair, probably quite young still, though at the time we wouldn't have thought of her as such...She wouldn't talk to us and kept us at a distance with her chilly look. For years we thought of her as "snooty"..." (32).

The author uses characterization- both direct and indirect- early on in the novel, so the reader knows much about many of the characters. The personalities of Kathy, Ruth, Tommy, Laura, and some of the guardians like Miss Lucy, Miss Emily, and Miss Geraldine are revealed to the reader, and some of the physical characteristics are known as well. One character described through indirect characterization is Madame, and the use of characterization establishes not only her qualities, but also gives her an aura of mystery. She is portrayed as a severe, stern woman who drifts through Hailsham, selecting art in an arcane manner for this curious Gallery. Since the students do not know much about her, the description of Madame is brief. However, the characterization is effective because not much is said about Madame, but the reader is able to infer much about her through the descriptions given. Kathy repeatedly alludes to encounters with Madame and the Gallery, so the characterization could be very important. Knowing Madame's personality and relationship to the Hailsham students could help the reader understand the plot as the story unfolds. The author also reveals that Madame has an aversion to the children at Hailsham. Kathy likens Madame's feelings for the students to a person's fear of spiders. I think this is important, especially since Madame is not from Hailsham. Madame probably has a reason for these feelings, and her characterization can help the reader decipher her behavior.