Foucault's Theory of Power and the Technology of the Self as Shown in Kazuo Ishiguro's Never Let Me Go

• Main Authors: Ya-Han Chang, 張雅涵
• Other Authors: Pen-Shui Liao
• Format: Others
• Language: en_US
• Published: 2013
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/25502198894110419922

碩士 === 國立高雄師範大學 === 英語學系 === 102 === This thesis aims to interpret Kazuo Ishiguro’s Never Let Me Go in terms of Michel Foucault’s notions. Two particular aspects of Foucault’s theoretical conceptions would be examined: the power relation and the technology of the self. The first chapter consists of a general introduction of Kazuo Ishiguro, the reviews of Never Let Me Go and the research question. In Chapter Two, Foucault’s power theory of discipline and surveillance are expounded in detail. Chapter Three discusses how the power techniques are applied to form omnipresent and automatic power networks, which result in the clones’ docility. Chapter Four introduces Foucault’s theory of art of existence and the technology of the self. In addition, how clones utilize technology of friendship to make sense of their lives is explored in this chapter. The last section sums up the main ideas of the thesis and relate them to the existential question that Kazuo Ishiguro wants to explore in the novel. By placing the clones in the face of mandatory death, Ishiguro intends to invite the readers to reconsider the question that how we can make sense of our lives in the omnipresent power networks. By taking care of others and practicing ethical values, we can transcend the boundaries set by the power relations and access certain degree of freedom. Never Let Me Go certainly reveals Kazuo Ishiguro’s expectation of a world of virtues of equality.