In Kazuo Ishiguro’s novel, “Klara and the Sun,” we are introduced to a world where Artificial Intelligence has evolved to a point where robots like Klara and Rosa, the B2 model, are designed as companions for children. These robots are highly functional but docile, and as the story begins, they sit in a shop, eagerly waiting for the day they will be taken home. Klara serves as the narrator, and she possesses a keen sense of observation. Rosa is her only friend among the robots in the shop.
The two B2 models realize that they are not the latest and greatest models, and they have certain defects, including their need for a significant amount of sunlight to stay powered up. The shop’s Manager criticizes Klara for her preference for sunny spots, referring to her as “greedy.” The B2 models are characterized as more compassionate and quirky compared to the newer models, but they are also less advanced.
Their days in the shop come and go until one day, a young girl named Josie, who struggles to walk, gazes into the shop window and takes an interest in Klara. Josie communicates with Klara and seems to like her, although she cannot take Klara home immediately. Klara patiently waits for the day Josie will come back for her, despite Josie’s mother’s reservations about Klara not being the latest model. The shop Manager hints that the B2 models are less independent and would make better companions for children.
The story unfolds as Klara joins Josie’s family, her first experience in a private home. Klara’s adjustment period is depicted charmingly, but she occasionally engages in factual arguments with Josie, lacking the imagination required to be a suitable friend. She is often seen as more of a pet than a friend, and she observes that there are two sides to Josie: the one at home who is tender and easygoing, and the one outside who asserts herself and can be unkind. Klara struggles to comprehend human interactions due to her constant, unchanging nature, although she attends lessons and social events with Josie, trying to learn and adapt.
Josie has a chronic health problem, and Klara’s programming dictates that she watches over her. One day, Klara feels uneasy about how Josie is sleeping and contacts Josie’s mother. Josie is annoyed when she finds out that Klara informed on her, but her mother sides with Klara, stating that Klara is there “to keep her safe.” Klara occasionally poses for portraits, but she is not invited to the sittings. Mr. Capaldi, the artist, shows great interest in Klara, but Josie’s mother is protective of her.
Josie has a close friend named Rick, her childhood sweetheart. His controlling and cold mother pushes him to aim high, even though he is imaginative and sensitive. Josie becomes frustrated with Rick, especially as his visits become less frequent due to the need to avoid upsetting her. Klara observes that Josie sometimes draws pictures of people being mean to each other, not fully understanding that Josie is acting out or expressing her frustrations.
One day, Josie and her mother take Klara to see her “portrait,” which turns out to be a virtual version of Josie, an empty android shell. Josie’s father, Paul, is firmly against the plan to replicate Josie as an AI with Klara emulating her. Klara is willing to make the sacrifice, even though she senses that something will be missing from the replication. Josie’s mother also has doubts but prefers having a “version” of Josie rather than nothing at all.
Josie’s divorced father returns to the picture and opposes the plan. Klara, self-sacrificing and subservient, realizes that the big Cootings Machine emits harmful radiation for children. Josie’s father and an engineer named Paul devise a plan to disable the machine by drawing some of Klara’s brain fluid. Klara makes this sacrifice, losing some of her cognitive abilities, and the act is essentially an act of sabotage. Miraculously, Josie’s health improves, and she grows from a young teen into a young woman. Klara, sensing her diminishing importance in Josie’s life, spends most of her time in the utility closet. Josie eventually finds her and opens a window for her to look outside. Josie goes to college, leaving Klara to question her purpose.
The artist-engineer Capaldi, who built the original shell of Josie, expresses interest in cracking open Klara to reverse engineer her and gain her secrets. Josie’s mother refuses, and Klara eventually ends up in a junkyard, winding down and sorting her memories while observing old technology. Her former shop Manager, looking for her old B2 models, finds Klara, who is immobile but still capable of speaking. The Manager tells Klara that she was a “very special” robot and then walks away.
“Klara and the Sun” offers a unique perspective on life through the eyes of a robot, exploring themes of powerlessness, sacrifice, and the complexities of human relationships. Klara’s character, much like the protagonists in other Ishiguro novels, has little control over her circumstances, as she is designed to serve and please others. Despite her AI nature, Klara’s actions are driven by a programmed sense of caring and compassion, making her a valuable companion for Josie.
The novel raises questions about the nature of humanity and the value of caring, even when it is programmed. Klara’s ultimate sacrifice to save Josie’s life reflects the idea that her actions are motivated by a selfless desire to protect and maintain Josie’s well-being. The novel also delves into the selfishness of the “haves” who often exploit the knowledge and labor of the “have-nots” or those who serve them, highlighting the eternal struggle between selfishness and selflessness in human nature.
In the end, Klara realizes that what truly sets her apart is not her ability to replicate Josie but the love and memories invested in her by those around her. “Klara and the Sun” is a thought-provoking exploration of artificial intelligence, human relationships, and the blurred lines between selflessness and selfishness in our evolving world.