Kathy is a proud individual who strives to convey her accomplishments without sounding boastful. This demonstrates her satisfaction with her role as a carer, while also acknowledging the negative repercussions of excessive bragging. Additionally, she perceives herself as fortunate for being a Hailsham student. However, Kathy is characterized as an unreliable narrator when she claims to be resilient but actually walks away from an argument with Ruth.
The protagonist’s distorted recollections of her childhood imply that she may have altered them to create a more pleasant image. This highlights the importance she attaches to memory, as she devotes considerable time in recovery centers discussing their shared experiences with Ruth and Tommy. While acknowledging that she has lost Ruth and Tommy, she affirms that her memories of them will never be lost. This further strengthens her conviction in the significance of memories. Additionally, she accepts the lack of control over her life, demonstrating passiveness.
As a carer, she sets off on her journeys without worrying about the destination. In her youth, she used to question everything, but as she matures and becomes a carer, she learns to embrace her situation and adjust to it. Nevertheless, her inquisitiveness remains unchanged as both she and Tommy consistently seek answers to different questions, such as wondering why donations were mentioned. Moreover, she is eager to discover clues and gain further understanding; while others found amusement and engaged in playful banter, she persisted in observing Miss Lucy.
Kathy’s loyalty to Ruth is evident in their relationship. Despite being kicked out of the “Secret Guard” by Ruth, Kathy remains supportive and defends Ruth’s actions to others, emphasizing that if they were in her position, they wouldn’t have acted any differently. Kathy even confesses that Ruth evokes a sense of loyalty within her. Furthermore, Kathy struggles the most to let go and move on, particularly from Hailsham. Ruth expresses her frustration about Kathy’s inability to move on, demonstrating how Kathy struggled to leave Hailsham behind.
She also attempts to maintain the “routine” from the previous summer at the cottages, indicating her struggle to let go. This suggests that she longs for a sense of home and constantly seeks Hailsham, afraid of venturing into unfamiliar territory. This is connected to her inability to let go of Tommy – even after his death, she envisions him “appearing on the horizon,” illustrating their deep friendship. It further supports the notion of her yearning for a sense of belonging and a place to call home.
