Emotional Interdependence Between Lifted Children and Artifical Friends in Ishiguro’S Klara and the Sun: An Exploration through Attachment Theory

Abstract

This research explores the emotional bonding that is formed between lifted children and artificial friends in the novel Klara and the Sun. This research uses John Bowlby’s Attachment Theory and discusses the emotional bond between the children and artificial companions and how these bonds are formed and affects lives. This research also discusses the effects of emotional bonding on the characters both emotionally and psychologically. The first objective of this thesis is to examine that how novel shows emotional interdependence of the lifted children on their AFs. The second objective discusses about the psychological impact of this emotional bonding. Psychological effects of the emotional bonding are discussed through the characters of Josie, Klara, Chrissie and Rick. While focusing on the Theory’s ideas and textual analysis of the novel this research provides insight that how bonding of AI and humans are shaped in the society. The findings of this research show that AI often provides care, emotional comfort, sympathy and loyalty to the Josie a lifted child but in return demands nothing. The study also reveals that emotional attachment that is not received from parents leads toward gaining comfort from other entities. The research discuses the concern about the future of care and emotional attachment where technology is currently growing and becoming common, through this research researchers better understand that how the emotional needs, empathy and bonding are evolving both in fiction and in real life. Thus, the research provides a new framework by combining psychological framework and literature to discuss about technology.

Key Words: Artificial Friends, Attachment Theory Emotional Attachment, Lifted Children, Psychological Effects