Gone to Norfolk (Never Let Me Go- 8)

"'Yeah,' I said. 'Gone to Norfolk.'" (page 75)

Recently, the concept of "Norfolk" has been continually brought up among the children. However, it is a part of their vernacular. The kids joke about Norfolk and it being a place of mystery and intrigue solely because of the lack of knowledge about it. This sort of thing would only make sense to the kids at Hailsham. My own opinion on the use of vernacular is that it creates a "different world" atmosphere to the novel. The people at Hailsham are obviously different, but the fact that they have little phrases and ideas that are specific to Hailsham separate the place even more from other places in the world. I'm not exactly sure if Ishiguro meant to contrast the two worlds this way, but the differences became even more apparent to me through the use of the Norfolk phrase. Also, the way that Norfolk is referenced, it is also a symbol. Norfolk is so unknown and mysterious to the kids. It is almost as if every question and every doubt is found in Norfolk. I find it ironic that the kids know so little about Norfolk, but it would appear as if no one else would know about Hailsham. It's almost as if Hailsham and Norfolk are related because of the mystery looming from each place. I think that Norfolk is a place where the kids can go in their imaginations and know that it is new and different. It is a place of comfort in their minds because it makes them feel as if they are not alone and as if there is a reason for everything.