Parallel Progression

"And she tells me to sit down, and I end up exactly where I was the last time, you know, that time years ago. And I can tell she's remembering that time as well, because she starts talking about it like it was only the day before." -pg 107

Miss Lucy is one of the most driving characters of the plot line. She is not a main character, but the scenes with her in them typically reveal a truth about the future of the students of Hailsham. She had a conversation with Tommy once before. This conversation gave Tommy more depth and purpose and a hint as to what might come in his future. That was in his childhood. Now, Miss Lucy sits him down again in the very situation as the first time.  In this conversation he learns a little bit more about what his future will hold. As far as setting and content go, these situations create a parallel in the book between his young years and his teenage years. The parallel assists the progression in the book that I have written a lot about. The parallel milestones in Tommy's life and understanding of his life help show how and when he grows into who he will be when he eventually does have to become a donor.