"I know when to hang around and comfort them, when to leave them to themselves; when to listen to everything they have to say, and when just to shrug and tell them to snap out of it." -page 3
The narrator employs parallelism in the very beginning of the book to characterize proficiency in her job as a carer. Parallelism is, in this case, intended to draw attention to what the narrator has to say. She wants the reader to be informed of her abilities. Perhaps Kathy finds a sense of pride in her achievement of commendable status as a carer. Ishiguro wants the main character, Kathy, to seem as human as possible when telling her story. This includes a human quality, pride, and a natural tendency to speak gently of one's self when speaking to others. This is Kathy's one chance at a first impression, so Kathy of course will present the positive, exemplary aspects of her character. This is why, I think, that in the beginning of the book she makes sure to explain her boasting (as she calls it) as to not come off as conceited. Kathy, for example, after exalting her own abilities, recognizes the many other carers who are "just as good who don't get half the credit."
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