SSRScientific and Social Research2661-43322981-9946Bio-Byword Scientific Publishing Pty. Ltd.10.26689/ssr.v8i5.15116ArticleScapegoat: Sacred Dissolution and Ethical Redemption in Never Let Me Gohttps://artdesignp.com/journal/SSR/8/5/10.26689/ssr.v8i5.15116TanZongjun2026852026-06-05Kazuo Ishiguro’s Never Let Me Go focuses on the experiences of clones and stands as a literary example of the ethical dilemmas brought about by technological advancement. As “scapegoats”, the very origin of the clones’ identity contains a sense of sacredness. While explaining the cloning mechanism, Ishiguro deconstructs this sacredness through a procedural system that resembles the “rite of passage.” In contrast to this programmatic deconstruction, the novel opens up a new path for ethical redemption on the micro level. By presenting Kathy’s memories and the emotional bonds among the clones, the narrative suggests a form of self-redemption for the clones that does not rely on institutional absolution.

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