Never Let Me Go Ethics

Name:

Date:

📚 Part 1: Multiple Choice - Ethical Theories and Novel Context

1. Which ethical theory best describes the society's treatment of clones in Never Let Me Go?

Altruism - acting for the benefit of others

Utilitarianism - greatest good for the greatest number

Ethical egoism - acting purely in self-interest

Deontological ethics - duty-based morality

2. According to the lesson thesis, morality in Never Let Me Go is:

Absolute and unchanging

Inconsistent, situational, and often waivable

Based purely on religious principles

Determined by individual conscience alone

3. The guardians at Hailsham primarily demonstrate which ethical approach?

Ethical egoism

Utilitarianism

Altruism

Nihilism

4. Which aspects make morality "circumstantial" in the novel? (Select all that apply)

Society's acceptance of clone harvesting for medical benefit

The guardians' attempts to provide a "normal" childhood

The clones' passive acceptance of their fate

The public's willful ignorance of clone treatment

✏️ Part 2: Short Answer - Thesis and Topic Sentences

5. Explain how morality is portrayed as "circumstantial" in Never Let Me Go. Provide one specific example from the text.

6. Analyse the guardians' philosophy of altruism. Is their approach effective or merely symbolic? Justify your answer.

7. Complete this analytical statement about the novel's moral framework:

Ishiguro presents morality as a _________________ ideal that society can choose to _________________ when it serves their interests, particularly evident when _________________.

8. Define "ethical egoism" and explain how it applies to the broader society (not the clones) in the novel.

📖 Part 3: Text Analysis - Morality Depiction

9. Consider Miss Emily's revelation about society's attitude towards the clones. Using the sentence starters below, analyse how this scene demonstrates morality as "waivable":

Sentence starters:

• Ishiguro suggests that society's morality is waivable because...

• The use of the word "____________" demonstrates...

• This moral flexibility is evident when Miss Emily explains...

• The author's choice to reveal this information late in the novel emphasises...

10. Reflect on the lesson's thesis: "Morality in Never Let Me Go is inconsistent, situational, and often waivable." How might this fictional portrayal relate to moral decisions in contemporary Australian society?