November 25th, 2013

Never Let Me Go vs. Gattaca

The movie Gattaca and the novel Never Let Me Go, both display a form of dehumanization and the relationship between those who have been dehumanized and those who are brought up in a more ideal way. Gattaca and Never Let Me Go, try and show an alternative future based on the advancement of genetics and how they affect our world in a possible future. They do this by genetically cloning individuals for organ harvesting and attempting to create a perfect world by creating perfect humans. Living in a world where they have successfully created human clones for organ donations, is not a great achievement to mankind in any way, shape, or form. It makes you wonder, where exactly do you draw the line between the advancement of technology and the dehumanization that occurs because of it?" Never Let Me Go is a Novel based in the main character Kathys memories of her experience in Hailsham and after she left. Hailsham is a boarding school for children who have been cloned from people considered as low lifes or unsuccessful, the only purpose given too these children are for them to develop into adults and donate as many of their mature organs as they can till they die, or as the students and guardians refer to it complete. The author focuses on the sick ways of our current society and warns us about the possible future that may be introduced and excepted, Kazuo Ishiguro writes with the intent of teaching and affecting the reader on an emotional level at the same time. I saw a new world coming rapidly. More scientific, efficient, yes. More cures for the old sicknesses. Very good. But a harsh, cruel, world. And I saw a little girl, her eyes tightly closed, holding to her breast the old kind world, one that she knew in her heart could not remain, and she was holding it and pleading, never to let her go. This quote is said by Madame within the novel

By: Kafaye Clarke

November 25th, 2013

and truly encompasses the entire book with just a few words. Madame talks about how many benefit from the organ donations, but at what cruel cost does it come at? Gattaca displays a similar theme to Never Let Me Go With the fact that genetics and genetic manipulation is the main element involved in both media forms. Within the Gattaca institution, there is clearly discrimination against those that were naturally born, and those that have been genetically altered to be more superior. Andrew Niccol (Writer and Director) is making a mockery of our present-day views on racism and prejudice, in this possible future, this is known as genoism (genetic discrimination). The underclass people of this world are those born naturally (children of love), they are aware of how they fit into society and are not quite happy with it. The other half of society are those who have been genetically modified since before birth, this allows the doctors to remove any imperfection that might harm the child or make him/her less adequate in the eyes of our current society. You want to know how I did it? This is how I did it, Anton. I never saved anything for the swim back. This quote was said by the main character Vincent who at the time was playing chicken (A game to test willpower or some say stupidity) in the ocean. Previously before Vincent beat his genetically superior brother and saved his life, leaving his brother dumbfounded at how he lost to someone considered lesser than himself. It shows that even though in our current society we succumb to racism and being highly judgmental to others, it doesn't mean that those who have to experience this prejudice aren't as amazing as those who believe they are more superior. Citizens in Gattaca and the students in Never Let Me Go were always under constant surveillance. In Gattaca, there were constant medical tests and examinations to check on the citizens genetics, to make sure they where bred to be better and not conceived naturally. These tests and examinations are used as a secondary interview when applying for jobs in high

By: Kafaye Clarke

November 25th, 2013

positions. To discriminate based on your genetics is illegal in our current world and this alternate future, but the employer can easily get DNA from a fingerprint, saliva used to seal a letter, or the may ask for a urine sample to check for substance use. This allows the employer to find the genetic information they need about the possible employee without breaking the law made for genetic descrimination. One example that can be seen within the movie, when the protagonist Vincent goes in for a interview, Vincent was aware that if he allowed the manager to check his DNA he would instantly be classified as a invalid and not get the job. Vincent was able to cheat the system by using Jeromes DNA to pass the many checkups that he faced. Even though in Never Let Me Go the checkups dont appear to be as frequent, the students were monitored much more than you may think. The guardians had to make sure that the children where well fed, happy, and healthy because if anything where to happen to them their organs could be in danger and that was the main priority. Ishiguro uses emotional appeal and relatable characters to try and connect the reader to the message that the novel was telling, whereas Niccol's view of a futuristic world is more of a blunt warning wrapped in a amazing story line. In their own separate ways, these two pieces of media are very effective in displaying the message hidden within the storyline, about the outcome that could possibly happen if we continue to strive for genetic perfection in a imperfect world. In both novels there were really only two options you could choose in life, follow the life that has been set out for you, the life that was planned out for you to live. Or find a way to go against the norm of your time, of your world, and do what you feel is right.

By: Kafaye Clarke