Well overrall I did enjoy reading this novel. The end of Stevens' journey really tied everything in.
Dr. Carlisle seemed as if the subject of "dignity" really didn't interest him at all. While he was discussing that topic with Stevens, on the ride to the Ford, he seemed as if he was trying to change the topic. Also when asked about his definition of dignity, he completely ignored Stevens and started talking about how nice the Ford was. I think it may have been because dignity comes in so many ways and his view of it may cause that peaceful ride to turn into some form of argument.
Also, Mr. Cardinal and his view on the meetings was somewhat odd. He truely believed that the intentions of the meetings were bad. I was a bit confused about the actual meaning of the meeting. Can someone please explain their view on if Mr. Cardinal was right or not.
The meeting with Miss Kenton wasn't what I had expected. They didn't really seem to have the connection I thought they would until the end. Miss Kenton had tears in her eyes, and Stevens had stated earlier that his heart was breaking. Also, the way that Stevens opened up with a complete stranger really surprised me. It is really not like him to do that. He is a very confined man and doesn't often open up. The man was right though. It was related back to the title, "The Remains of the Day." It is true, stop looking back on the past like Stevens always did. It doesn't help the future at all. You still have the rest of your life. Like they say, "The evening's the best part of the day."
One last thing, I do believe he is a new man and he will soon start to be himself and stop trying so hard to impress others. I do believe he will be able to say simple sentences and just express how he feels after the experience he had on this journey of a lifetime.
This book has been a fairly interesting, a good read in those hot summer days. The whole message conveyed by Ishigaro was very clear and present in the last pages of the book.
On pg.239, when Mr.Stevens and Mrs.Benn (Miss.Kenton)were sitting in a bus stop on rainy day, the dialogue between them is orbiting on the subject of the letter and how Mrs.Benn then explains the reason of the letters' contents and also gave a unique lesson: "After all, there's no turning back the clock now. One cant be forever dwelling on what might have been. One should realize one has as good as most perhaps better and be grateful"(239) the whole quote has been the lesson that Stevens, as a person who has been reminiscing on the past and lived on the principles and conduct he has abide by for the most part of his life for do long that when these shallow "prerequisites" of the Hayes Society did not matter, it was as though his life's meaning and purpose were lost and insufficient. The author of this book, Ishigaro , uses the element of having the protagonist journey throughout the story only to have the character suddenly have a moment to himself and look back on his person and realize how he has lost his youth and his tenacity for for his job how, just like his father he begins to deteriorate and his vitality that he once had for his job becomes lost from giving tireless obedience to a man that hardly had any consideration of respect for people like Stevens, and how the protagonist then disheartened by this fact that he then reminisce of his most glorious days as a top-notch, perfect butler to then convince his person of his accomplishments when he has been zealously following the requirements of the Hayes Society and has acquired nothing for his efforts. And when the years of his once promising life are gone in his past, he would only be left in the end, heartbroken when he heard the meaning of the passage Mrs.Benn had said:"I do not think I responded immediately, for it took me a moment or two to fully digest these words of Miss.Kenton/Moreover, as you might appreciate, their implications were such as to provoke a certain degree of sorrow within me."(239) When those accomplishments were no longer valid in the present and future, thus having him conflict with the now modern customs of the present and Mr.Farraday. The author also creates the setting in the springtime which is appropriate with the theme of how Stevens has experienced a catharsis of the mind and has been give a new perspective on life,his rebirth.
Ishigaro has the protagonist, Stevens venture off throughout England to not only take a vacation but to journey into the depths of his conscious to find out what is truly the most valuable goal in his life, besides being perfect to someone else.
Personally I found the ending to be somewhat disappointing because I had expected Miss Kenton and Stevens to return to Darlington Hall together. Throughout Stevens’s final reminiscences, he brings back more and more memories he has had with Miss Kenton. I found his recollection of the incident in which Miss Kenton announces her engagement to be the most revealing about his and her underlying emotions towards each other. Throughout their exchange, Miss Kenton seems to be searching for Stevens to find an excuse to hold her behind from leaving. It seems as though Miss Kenton wants Stevens to give her a reason to remain behind. However, his curt responses caused Miss Kenton to be in disbelief that “after the many years of service [she] has given in [that] house, [he has] no more words to greet the news of [her] possible departure…” (219). She even goes to state that Stevens had “been a very important figure for [her] and [her] acquaintance.” (219). As I read this scene, I wonder if in Stevens’ recollection he sees the obvious signs of Miss Kenton’s hints of her feelings towards him. I find that this incident is a great example of how restricted and how sacrificing his profession as a butler has lead him to be. When Stevens finally sees Miss Kenton, I find it interesting that he addresses her as Mrs. Benn, when throughout the novel readers have grown to know her to be Miss Kenton. It is as though Miss Kenton has transformed into a new person with her new title. I found their reunion to be bitter-sweet. It is obvious that over the years, Miss Kenton has no doubt contemplated the possibilities of a different life if she had stayed with Stevens at Darlington Hall. She makes that point clear by recalling that at times “[she] gets to thinking about a different life, a better life [she] might have had. For instance, [she gets] to thinking about a life [she] may have had with [Stevens]” (239). It seems as though this meeting with Miss Kenton has awaken Stevens in a sense from his stoic nature. Though he recognizes that “it is too late to turn back the clock” (239), he does see that he may have overlooked and missed out on opportunities in his life. However, as the title of the novel now seem to reveal, that at the end of it day, we are all left with what remains, that is the good and the bad, the joys and the hardships, and the success and the failures. What “remains of the day” cannot be changed, but it can be used to help one strive towards a better day, as Stevens in the end announced that it “perhaps is in deed time [he] began to look at [the] whole matter of bantering more enthusiastically”. As a man who seems so stuck in his days under Lord Darlington, his journey seems to have helped him progress into adjusting to the changing times.
As I conclude this story, I must confess that it has truly left me thinking. I really did enjoy it, however, some elements are slightly confusing.
What I was well aware of was that this whole time I was waiting for the interaction between Stevens and Miss Kenton to be in the present tense, yet Ishiguro skips entirely over the meeting and relays the encounter yet again as another memory of Stevens. His brief encounter with her after all these years subtly stated that Miss Kenton was in fact... perhaps... romantically fond of Mr. Stevens (?)... (maybe)
It's still somewhat of a mystery to me, as you can tell.
As jlam09 said, the ending wasn't a cliche happy one since Miss Kenton remained with her husband, a bit to my disappointment. Yet it was obvious that Stevens attempted to break away by asking her "I simply wondered if you were being ill-treated in some way." and after being reassured, he reminded her of how many times she had left her husband, yet she seemed firm in responding that "yes, Mr. Stevens, I've grown to love him."
Regarding Professor Foster's theories on the journey for self discovery, Stevens was certainly left analyzing himself and all the actions he took during his service under Lord Darlington and among Miss Kenton.
Yet he finally concludes his feelings on Lord Darlington, and for the first time, as he finishes his narration, he looks toward the future and what he will do when he gets back to Darlington Hall. This is what he finally learns from a total stranger. This wise stranger has a very important symbolic meaning. Yet what he says ties in what the whole story has conveyed, and also relates back to the title.
"Now, look, mate, I'm not sure I folow everything you're saying. But if you ask me, your attitude's all wrong see? Don't keep looking back all the time you're bound to get depressed...you've got to keep looking forward... You've got to enjoy yourself. The evening's the best part of the day. You've done your day's work. Now you can put your feet up and enjoy it."
The title is well understood here. Mr. Stevens' journey through the back roads of England have allowed him to delve into his memories and the "remains of his day" so to speak. He has finally made peace with with every internal conflict he has, and finally looks forward to Mr. Farraday's return in the hopes that he will please him, as it is in his profession to do. Rebirth.
The conclusion of the book answers the overarching questions that are present throughout.
I must cite the meeting between Miss Kenton and Stevens, in which she informs him that she is to be married, that serves as a pivotal moment in their relationship and the catalyst to Miss Kenton's permenent relocation. I agree with jlam09's analysis that Miss Kenton was implicitly imploring Stevens to ask her to remain. Not only did he fail to do this, but his impersonal response caused Miss Kenton to vocalize- "Am I to take it...that after the many years of service I have given in this house, you have no more words to greet the news of my possible departure than those you have just uttered?" (219). She gave him an unsaid ultimatum- that if he didn't ask her to stay, profess his true feelings, that she would vanish from his life. He failed; yet ironically, considers that evening a "triumph" (228) as he retained his dignity. Further evidence to suggest Miss Kenton's feelings for Stevens occurred in their meeting at the inn where she revealed that she had reflected on the idea of their beginning a life together. This piece of information came as a slight shock, for although I speculated that Stevens had feelings for Miss Kenton, I had never considered the possibility of it being reciprocated- a fact makes Stevens' qualms that much greater. Thus, Ishiguro makes a strong claim about the necessity to seize opportunities when they are presented, as Stevens never truly was able to explain to Miss Kenton the depth of his feelings and ergo they will remain forever apart.
Stevens is very much a niave man, for all his polished speech and unrelenting manners. He not only refused to see the glaring truth about Darlington but also viewed Miss Kenton's letter as a suggestion of her imminent return to Darlington Hall. Although the letter did profess some unhappiness in her current situation, she expressed no desire to leave her husband and return. Steven's niave love for Miss Kenton blinded him into believing she would return, giving him a second opportunity.
For my stringency, I must concede that the ending was quite sad. I agree with gypsyloo that a change had overcome Stevens catalyzed by his conversation with the stranger on the pier. His candid words about lost opportunities and bad judgement truly represent a shift from his normal stoic, imperturbable attitude. It seems that Stevens has finally paid heed to the emotions that he has long been squelching culminating to the tears shed on the pier.
As many have said, and as I reiterate, I did thoroughly enjoy reading this book, although I did close this book with a great feeling of sadness (the author intended it to be so, and I fell into the emotional aspects of the ending hook line and sinker).
First, I wanted to address gypsyloo's lingering questions about the nature of Miss Kenton and Stevens' relationship- was it love? I believe so. As thalp points out, after Miss Kenton makes the remark that she accepted a proposal of marriage, instead of responding with "heartfelt" congratulations, or sincere wishes imploring Miss Kenton to stay, Stevens makes an impersonal remark congratulating her and excusing himself immediately. Miss Kenton's need for him to express a more personal response is highlighted, as thalp points out, with the quote: "Am I to take it...that after the many years of service I have given in this house, you have no more words to greet the news of my possible departure than those you have just uttered?" (219).In other words she's saying: "That's it? That's all you're gonna say?" The fact that she was trying to get a response from him by deliberately baiting him (making fun of him) also indicate an emotional attachment to Stevens. Perhaps he didn't realize it, but much later chronologically (at the end of the book for us) Stevens also realizes his feelings for Miss Kenton perhaps having disguised them from himself the entire time before.
I've found one puzzling aspect of their relationship that I'm trying to interpret. When Miss Kenton's aunt dies, Stevens forgets to offer his condolences. He plucks up the resolve to speak with her, but he ends up talking about the 'new recruits' and how they were settling in. Not surprisingly he doesn't even mention condolences. For some reason (inexperience with emotional matters?) he even manages to 'insult' Miss Kenton by calling more and more attention to housework that was not satisfactorily done. He does not mention WHY he lapsed (perhaps this was by design, but the first person narrative has made me used to having Stevens lay out his motives in his own words). I'm not sure how this moment was a "turning point" in their relationship, as he calls it later. As readers, we can see clearly that this incident highlights both Stevens continued repression of his emotions behind the butler's facade (his 'dignity') and to illustrate Stevens' musing about 'what-ifs.'
The theme of lost opportunity and 'regret' is what makes this novel tragic- Stevens passed up every opportunity for happiness and emotional fulfillment in favor of his job, and his "dignity." If his employer had been great, he could have called himself a 'great butler' who served a 'great gentleman.' Instead, Lord Darlington's status as a 'great gentleman' is itself seriously called into question. If he "gave the very best [he] had to give to Lord Darlington" (242)- if he gave the best of his life to Darlington, and since Lord Darlington ultimately came to nothing, what can he do except to pick up the pieces (as he calls it, the "Remains of the Day") and move on into an uncertain future? Having thrown away everything in pursuit of a goal never to be achieved, what CAN he do but look forward?.....So sad...
To answer Stevie Wonder...'s question, I think that that moment was a "turning point" in their relationship because it was another instance in which Stevens cut off Miss Kenton emotionally. I thought that it was simply another missed opportunity for Stevens to show his feelings for her.
I have to say, however, that overall I found the book a bit boring.
The ending was sad, however, and I didn't think the reason for that was so much because of Stevens' regrets. I found it sad becuase, in a matter of five days of self-reflection and reflection on Lord Darlington's dignity, Stevens realized that his whole life had been basically a sham. Because Stevens was so dedicated to his profession, the validity and importance of which is now questioned, it appears as though he had lived for nothing.
It was also a bit depressing that Stevens clearly misinterpreted Miss Kenton's slight unhappiness as a sign that she wished to come back to Darlington Hall, and possibly to be with him; this was simply wishful thinking on his part. It didn't really surprise me, however. Also, when he discussed Miss Kenton were the only times Stevens showed any sort of emotion; when she told him she had no intention of coming back to work, he confessed deep pain to the reader for the first time in the novel.
So, the book is at it's end. I must say, honestly, on a scale of 1-10, I would give it a 3 or a 4. It's not really my choice for a book to read, but then again, some of the scenes were enjoyable. The book to me was a little dull. I caught myself reading certain lines or paragraphs more than once because I wasn't engaged in the book. But enough of that...
While Mr. Stevens is driving in his Ford after the doctor drops him off, his mind is preoccupied with none other than good ol' Miss Kenton. "In fact, many of the sights that greeted me this morning were among the most charming I have so far encountered. It was unfortunate, then, that I could not for much of the time give to them the attention they warranted...one would be meeting Miss Kenton again before the day's end," (211). Is it just me, or does this sound a little skeptical. I hate to say it but Stevens sounds like he's nervous and not the regular nervous that a person usually gets when reuniting with someone they haven't seen for a while, but rather nervous, "butterfly" nervous. He couldn't appreciate his surroundings, why? His mind was on someone else.
The secret meeting with the leaders in Day Four-Afternoon, was I have to admit, suspenseful reading. While Mr. Cardinal was in the library drunk conversing with Stevens, I kept imagining that he will do something stupid...and I still believe that. I'm not sure if I believed him when he said that the Germans are using his lordship (Mr. Farraday) as a pawn. Ever since the whole firing the two Jewish maids incident, I knew there was something strange going on. Mr. Cardinal does have a point because I don't think Mr. Farraday would have just done something like that on his own.
Also, Miss Kenton seemed irritated that she didn't receive a satisfying enough answer from Stevens. I think he was surprised but just didn't want to show it because of "professionalism and dignity". I think she wanted him to be jealous or be in some way, angered by her decision to accept her acquaintance's proposal, he just didn't succumb to it.
I find his meeting with Mrs. Benn (Miss Kenton) a good experience for Stevens. I thought she would admit that she had feelings for him and that she would leave her husband and runaway with Stevens...okay, I'm getting ahead of myself. But, it's good because now they know where they both stand--friendship and all lingering questions have been answered.
So Steven thinks he gave his best service to Mr. Darlington? I agree with him because, serving Mr. Farraday hasn't been at all that satisfactory for him. He finds himself making mistakes that he normally wouldn't do. But, speaking to this retired old man that he meets helps him realize that he doesn't have to try to hard, that he can sit back and relax. I find it only because he expects too much of himself which causes him to do so.
I like the ending. We can see that he wants to be able to please Mr. Farraday the way he pleased Mr. Darlington. He's going to practice "bantering" as he's attempted to in the beginning of the story.
I realize I like Mr. Stevens because he takes so much pride in his career and actually wants to do well...he wants to please...he wants to make his boss happy...and not only for his own sake, either.
As those before have mentioned, was Mr. Stevens and Miss Kenton's relationship love? I do believe that their relationship was love, maybe tough love. They both have pride in their own ways. Mr. Stevens rather remains professional and Miss Kenton is well, Miss Kenton. But it is at the end that her intentions were to "annoy" Mr. Stevens. Also, during their brief meeting during tea, Mr. Stevens commented many times about her physical features--little minor things from the way her shoulders move to the way she would smile. But, I do agree their relationship was sort of that undercover hiding it inside don't want to tell you type of love...
But overall, now that I think it over, I give the book a 6 out of 10. I guess it was because of the ending. It was pretty sad the way the two departed, possibly never to see each other ever again. To see Mr. Stevens get so sentimental was a plus because I saw him as a dull boring character.
****It is now 5:04 A.M. Going to sleep only to wake up in about an hour.
Hmmm...just an aside comment... It looks like blogger isn't onto Eastern Standard Time. Nessa says that it is 5:04 AM (didja really stay up till 5?) when the comment was published...the blogs say 2AM...
Since Stevens realized that he loves Miss Kenton, I'm guessing they were the same age when she and his father started working together.
I agree with kris10 that the meeting with Miss Kenton definitely was not expected to result in that. From the his flashbacks I had pictured her much older than Stevens since she started working with his father. Although now that I think about it, that was not very smart of me to assume.
I expected that same thing as jlam09 of their relationship. Stevens and Miss Kenton should have found a way to be together. I agree with emily when she mentioned that he had closed of feelings emotionally towards her yet again. All those years should have made him realized that. It was obvious that she had feelings for him when she announced that she was getting married, but ran to her room because of Stevens strictly professional comments. I wish the ending was happier. =[
It was subtly obvious, oxymoron =], that Stevens had feelings for Miss Kenton. When her aunt died and he forgot to give her his condolences, his mind is stuck on it for most of the day, which shows that he cars, but like stevie wonder the second said, he is inexperienced in emotional matters.
Hah, I think he will be able to utter simple sentences, since he was listening to a comedy station on his trip and practicing.
Replying to kris10 about Mr. Cardinal and his views of the meeting: The meeting, I believe, was actually what he said it to be. However, whether Lord Darlington was being manipulated or not is up for grabs. Mr. Cardinal believed so; Stevens didn't.
After finishing this book, I definitely see the whole "quest" theme being applied here, from a chapter in How to Read Literature like a Professor. Stevens was supposed to be on a "quest" to see Mrs. Brenn, aka Miss Kenton, that was what he believed was his goal. However, his actual quest was to figure out himself, his priorities, and the actual definition of dignity, which her refers back to numerous times. Along the way, he encountered several obstacles: radiator running out of water, lack of petrol, etc. But he also met people who helped him change his mindset along the way. In the end, he came to a self-realization: his mistakes were made due to old age, not a lack of stage; dignity wasn't really what he originally defined it to be; and life is much more enjoyable if he relaxes and steers away from his professional image more often (leading back to what dignity originally meant to him).
Also, "bantering" has become some sort of a symbol in this book. Since it appeared so many times throughout the text, I figured it must be significant. In my opinion, it could stand for a change in traditions and in times. Lord Darlington has passed away, and so has the traditions Stevens worked under. He continuously tried to "banter" with Mr. Farraday but failed to because he still believed in acting traditionally. At the end of the story, however, he realizes that bantering could bring people together and bring joy to these gatherings. He opens his mind to this concept, even more than he already has, and expresses that he will practice this new type of speech more often.
Also, weather references in this text: Rain. It seems to serve as a cleansing purpose, cleansing of the past. Stevens meets with Miss Kenton on a rainy day. That same day, they share a personal conversation, discover aspects about each other they did not know of, and conclude their relationship. Stevens suggests that they move on from the past and look forward to whatever lay ahead of them. Miss Kenton agrees, and they depart with a definite foundation, contrary to the popular opinions expressed so far that it was disappointing. I found the ending to be quite concluded, like it was what was supposed to happen and it happened.
I must admit that I did enjoy the book though at times I got rather annoyed with Stevens.
I think that so far everyone has made valid assumptions and points regarding the end of the book so I don't feel the need to reiderate what all of you have already said. I would, however, like to make a connection. When I read the last few pages where Stevens is sitting on the pier watching the lights come on and the people around him "bantering", it reminded me of the scene in The Catcher in the Rye where Holden Caulfield is sitting in the park watching his sister on the carousel. Perhaps it is because both have epiphanies, I'm not entirely sure but I would like to know if anyone else sees a connection or if I'm just dense.
Throughout the entire novel it became evident that Stevens allowed his profession to take over every aspect of his life and in doing so, he keep himself from being able to express his emotions. Stevens’ resistance to expressing his emotions forced him to be very distant and at times, he appeared as if he was better than others. For instance, Stevens was serving breakfast to Mr. Farraday when Mr. Farraday picked up his fork, examined it and placed it back on the table. Apparently something was wrong with the fork because Stevens thought “…being an American he failed to recognize the extent of the shortcoming...” (139). In addition, while on his trip, Stevens feels that he has “let oneself down” (160) because he “… allowed the Ford to run out of petrol … and the trouble yesterday concerning the lack of water in the radiator, it would be unreasonable for an observer to believe such general disorganization endemic to [his] nature.” (160) Stevens is very hard on himself and he doesn’t realize that everyone has car trouble and makes mistakes at their job once in a while, but those events are not enough reasons for him to feel as if he has let himself down. It seems that Stevens has put on a façade of being very professional and proper all of the time that doesn’t allow him to realize that he is just like everyone else and it is okay for him to make mistakes.
Due to the fact that one of the many duties as a butler is to wait on other’s and with Stevens so occupied with work, I feel that he has created a distorted self image. When Lord Darlington became increasingly involved in international affairs he began to take on the idea that the common individual was incapable of making decisions that would greatly affect their country. Throughout those events, Stevens began to believe that “… such great affairs will always be beyond the understanding of those such as you and I, and those of us concentrating on what is within our realm; that is to say, by devoting our attention to providing the best possible service to those great gentlemen in whose hands the destiny of civilization truly lies.” (199) Up to that point in the book, I felt that Stevens viewed himself as someone who put himself above those who are just like him, but comes second to those that are officials in his country. By always having to do for others, and strictly following the rules of a butler, I don’t think Stevens understands that he doesn’t have to just work within his realm and that he is capable of doing amazing things in his life. By always having to follow orders, I feel that Stevens is afraid to stand up for himself and for his beliefs. Just as he was when Mr. Spencer was implying that because Stevens was apart of the general public, he was incapable of making positive decisions for the country and also when Stevens was forced to fire the two Jewish housekeepers, even though he disagreed with Lord Darlington’s decision. If Stevens was able to find his true identity and he stopped hiding behind his profession, he would be able to live his life happily, and forget about the little mistakes he may make along the way.
In terms of Stevens and Miss Kenton’s relationship, I agree with jlam09 that after Miss Kenton told Stevens that she was engaged she seemed to want Stevens to give her any reason for her to call off the engagement. When she described her fiancé, she was very particular about the information she wanted Stevens to know, she even said “… his ultimate dream would have been to become butler of a house like this one” (172). I felt that Miss Kenton wanted Stevens to have a sense of empowerment over her fiancé because his dream was Stevens’ reality. Despite all of this, Stevens did not confess his feelings for Miss Kenton and even though it was disappointing, I was glad that Miss Kenton found a person that she loved and someone that loved her back. Although her marriage is far from perfect, with the many times she left her husband and the fact that she was not in love with him when they got married, Miss Kenton finally did something for herself and stopped waiting around for Stevens to say whether or not he was interested in her. Throughout Stevens and Miss Kenton’s relationship it always seemed as if Stevens wanted Miss Kenton to make the first move and to pursue him and now that she found someone who cared for her, it would have been wrong for Stevens to ask Miss Kenton to return to Darlington Hall with him. Despite the marital problems Miss Kenton was experiencing, I think that Stevens simply lost his chance and it was not his place to try and change her life now, just because he was finally ready to be in a more serious relationship with her.
Even though Stevens could have been upset that Miss Kenton was not going back to Darlington Hall with him, Stevens learned a valuable lesson from the man at the pier. The man advised him to “…adopt a more positive outlook and try to make the best of what remains of [his] day” (244) and that statement not only connects with the title of the book, but it leads many themes. The man was telling Stevens that regardless of the results of a hard day’s work, he cannot go back and change the outcome. The only thing that Stevens is capable of changing is the future and the way he learns from the mistakes that he makes at work and in his personal life. Although Stevens did not convince Miss Kenton to return to Darlington Hall with him, I think the lesson that he learned and the obstacles he faced throughout his trip allowed him to grow as a professional, but most importantly as a person.
Stevens personality immediately changes when he is surrounded by people who seem to admire him. On page 44, Stevens says, “‘You know when somebody’s got it [dignity] and you know when somebody hasn’t,’ Mr Graham’s argument would always be.” This is similar to when Mr. Taylor tried to define a gentleman saying, “‘…You can tell a true gentleman from a false one that’s just dressed in finery. Take yourself, sir. It’s not just the cut of your clothes, nor is it even the fine way you’ve got of speaking. There’s something else that makes you out as a gentleman. Hard to put your finger on it, but it’s plain for all to see that’s got eyes.’” (185). Stevens and Mr. Harry Smith share the same view on what dignity is; Stevens says that dignity “is something one can meaningfully strive for throughout one’s career.” (33), which corresponds to when Mr. Harry Smith says dignity is “‘something every man and woman in this country can strive for and get.’” (186). However, Stevens says that he and Mr. Harry Smith “were rather at cross purposes on this matter” (186), as to say that he believes that only gentlemen, like himself, are the only ones that can have dignity. Then, Stevens increases his ego by going on to mislead his audience that he holds position of some authority in foreign policy, as an explanation for his connections to people of great importance, rather than the fact that he is a butler of a lord’s house. But, Stevens seems to have been brought back down to earth, when another gentleman of a real title (Dr. Carlisle), enters the room. Stevens says, “…and indeed, it was no easy task to suppress the instinct to add ‘sir’.” (191), when he was answering Dr. Carlisle’s question. This whole scene is ironic because it shows a lack of dignity for Stevens, because he could not tell the people of the village his true occupation, in which he has been solely devoted to and felt was a job that required dignity.
Another ironic scene is when Mr. Cardinal comes back to Darlington Hall. However, now Mr. Cardinal comes back to expose the lord has almost no power or sensibility. Mr. Cardinal says, “‘The Nazis are manoeuvring him like a pawn…[Lord Darlington] is a gentleman, and he fought a war with the Germans, and it’s his instinct to offer generosity and friendship to a defeated foe.’” (223). When we first encountered Mr. Cardinal he was engaged, and Stevens was assigned to teach him about the facts of life. However, now it appears that Mr. Cardinal is teaching Stevens about the facts of life. Ishiguro writes, “‘And [the American chap] pointed at his lordship and called him an amateur. Called him a bungling amateur and said he was out of his depth. Well, I have to say, Stevens that American chap was quite right. It’s a fact of life. Today’s world is too foul a place for fine and noble instincts.’” (224). At this part, Stevens’s hard work to uphold traditions to become a great butler has essentially become useless. Stevens finally realizes this once he understood that he lost his chance of being with Miss Kenton, due to his restraint of emotions from his compulsion for being professional. Now all Stevens can do is make the most of the remains of his day, and I think he will be able to talk in simple subject/verb sentences.
Let me be the 16th person to say this: this book was amazing. One of my favorites.
Ishiguro is a masterful writer and develops Stevens’ character so well that the reader truly wishes that Stevens has a miraculous turn-around in his life and that he can go back in time and fix all of the “turning points” in his life. I, personally, felt a strong connection with Stevens as a character and it saddened me to read about all the missed opportunities in his life.
For example, when Stevens ignores Miss Kenton’s rather unobvious appeals to him to say or do something to make her refuse the marriage proposal, Stevens simply wishes her the best of luck on her marriage and attends to “the most powerful gentlemen of Europe…” (227) It is just so pathetic how clueless Stevens presents himself. However, I believe that Stevens realized at the time Miss Kenton’s true intention, but was simply too stubborn and afraid to recognize it (or as Thalp put it: naïve). Stevens even has “an ever-growing conviction mounting within [him] that just a few yards away, on the other side of that door, Miss Kenton was at that moment crying.” (226) He then however “[hurries] upstairs to serve some of the most distinguished gentlemen of the land…” (227) He later even feels “triumph” over this missed opportunity with Miss Kenton.
It feels to me that Stevens has wasted his life. Being a butler could have been something Stevens could have chosen to do for a couple of years of his life, but to dedicate one’s entire- and one and only –life to another, and to completely disregard one’s own natural human desires and emotions seems to me to be, simply, a waste of a life. When the town’s people mistake Stevens for a gentleman, Stevens appears to rather enjoy the process and does not deny it. Though he later tells The Doctor that he only continued to let the village people to believe incorrectly that he was a gentleman, I believe that Stevens did not reveal his true position because he liked being a Lord Darlington figure rather than a butler. It hurts me to know that Stevens could really never have broken out of his position, and I find a grain of truth in his belief that at least he made an impact in the world by aiding an influential person like Lord Darlington. Though he never fully experienced love- or many other human emotions for that matter – at least he made a global impact, something he could have never done if he were, say, a farmer.
I would also like to point out three distinct philosophies that present themselves throughout Stevens’ experiences. First, Lord Darlington tells Stevens after a meeting that he believes the world of politics and economics is “now a days” too complicated for most people to understand, and that accordingly, the vote should not be given to all. Compare that philosophy to the villagers’, Harry Smith’s in particular, about giving a voice to all, no matter what position. The third belief is presented by Mr. Cardinal, who argues that the world is too “foul” of a place for “fine and noble instincts” like those of Lord Darlington. He believes that people like Lord Darlington are too easily influenced and naïve to be given power. Mr. Cardinal seems to realize the danger in giving power to the select few.
On a different and more meaningful note, I would love to discuss Stevens’ rendezvous with Miss Kenton. When he first sees her, Stevens comments that Miss Kenton “had, naturally, aged somewhat, but to my eyes at least, she seemed to have done so very gracefully.” (232) He then goes into discussing her appearance and how he finds her attractive. However, what I found peculiar- and as jlam09 already discussed a bit -about Stevens’ encounter is that in the narrative Stevens refers to his old acquaintance as “Miss Kenton,” but in speaking to her he does not hesitate to call her “Mrs Benn.” I believe that this is one of the more apparent times where Stevens’ internal and external self conflict. Though he knows her as Miss Kenton and will forever remember her that way, he refers to her as “Mrs Benn” to conform to the “pleasantries” as Stevens often refers to them.
Also, when Miss Kenton finally confesses (implicitly at least) that she has loved and possibly still loves Stevens by saying: “And you get to thinking about a different life, a better life you might have had. For instance, I get to thinking about a life I may have had with you, Mr Stevens. “ (239) I think Stevens response to this is for me one of the saddest parts of this book. Stevens admits to his “sorrow” and “heart… breaking.”
The saddest part of Stevens’ life, I believe, is his own revelation that he has not lived a life of his own. During his chat with the stranger at the pier Stevens confesses, “I’ve given what I had to give. I gave it all to Lord Darlington.” (243) (PS: This might be the first time Stevens has ever made a “simple subject/verb sentence”) I think at this point he realizes that he has not lived his own life, has not yet made his own mistakes and misjudgments. Instead he has vicariously made them through his prior employer, which is no life at all.
Finally, I would like to discuss the title. All that remains of Stevens life is the late evening as Stevens is getting old. He has yet to experience much of what life has to offer and has lost a lot of the “Day.” However, as Stevens is told and comes to believe, “the evening is the best part of the day.” This is apparent throughout the book since it is in the (literal) evenings that Stevens seems to recollect and reminisce on the good times in his life (his cocoa meetings with Miss Kenton, etc.). In the mornings and during the day, it is time for work unpleasantries (firing of the Jewish maids, etc.).
However, unlike most of the people that posted before me, I find myself a bit cynical and see the ending of The Remains of the Day less optimistically. Kris10, Bond_Smoka and Gypsyloo commented that they saw the ending as Stevens’ “rebirth”. However, I see it as a continuation of his old life, just in a different method. Stevens promises to “enthusiastically” peruse bantering. I’m split on this... Stevens proclaims earlier that “in bantering lies the key to human warmth” so this can be seen as Stevens promising to be more warm and more human. On the other hand, he also states that he is doing it for his new employer, Mr Farraday, and is going to return to Darlington Hall. So my question is: does Stevens truly promise to turn his life around or will he continue to waste his possibilities in life?
Thank you all, it was great reading other's opinions!
I am very surprised to say that "The Remains of the Day" made me sad and happy all the same time. Overall the book was great to read and simple to understand. Steven's role as butler did not just end up a butler he to me became this whole other person when he journeys to see Ms. Kenton or Mrs.Benn as you might call it. He looked back on all these different emotions and really looked back into the past and thought about his life so profoundly. I realized that Ms.Kenton was his romantic disaster. She was pushy and mean towards him because she loved his attention and he didn't even realize how much he enjoyed her so much.
I also wanted to comment on his visit to Masocombe. He talked about dignity and what it meant to him. I think Steven's really believed dignity meant something more like loyalty at least that was the impression I felt that he gave off. Steven's was extremely tolerant of other peoples remarks even if it had offended him so. I realized that about Steven's he was a very tolerant man, he even let Lord Darlington's friends ask him questions that he knew he could not answer just to make a mockery of him.
The overall book shocked me because he seemed so determined that he would forever be a butler and to find that in the end he was sick of it. He wanted a different life for himself and I believed that was the best step of all for him.
First off, I too wanted to comment on Stevens feelings for Miss Kenton. I truely believe that he loves her and is on the journey to see her only because she said that she was unhappy with her husband. Stevens told the audience that he "found it hard to keep out of [his] mind the possibility that the purpose of these mysterious outings of Miss Kenton was to meet a suitor."(171) He pretended that the only reason that he didnt want her to leave and get married was because "Miss Kentons departure would constitute a professsional loss of some magnitude..."(171) but I think that deep down he wanted Miss Kenton to stay around Darlington Hall so she could be with Stevens, but Stevens wont say this because he refuses to express his true feelings.
I agree with jlam and other bloggers who said that they felt Miss Kenton was trying to use her engagement to evoke some feeling from Stevens, but got nothing. Since Stevens showed no concern, I felt that was the final push that Miss Kenton needed to leave Darlington Hall. I think that Miss Kenton loved Stevens but felt trapped in Darlington Hall because she was getting no reciprocation of these feelings from Stevens. Miss Kenton did not leave Darlington Hall because she was in love, but she could not go on living in the same house as Stevens when he showed that he did not care for her in the way she wanted. Proof of this point is from the quote that gypsyloo used "Yes Mr Stevens, I've grown to love him" when Miss Kenton aka Mrs. Benn was talking about her husband to Stevens.
Overall I thought this book was ok. There was some parts of the book that kept my interest like Stevens Sr.'s death and the final meeting between Stevens and Miss Kenton, but most of the book was just a little hard for me to engage in completely. I probably give this book a 5 or 6, because i mean it wasnt completely horrible. :)
I agree with several others in saying that this book has been my favorite of the three, and while the ending was somewhat "sad", I wasn't expecting Miss Kenton to run into Stevens arms and for the two of them to drive off happily into the sunset, back to Darlington Hall.
The lack of this stereotypical "happy ending" is one many readers may wish for, but I understand this would have been against Stevens' character and how Ishiguro develops him throughout the novel. When Miss Kenton informs Stevens she loves her husband and knows she belongs with him, Stevens reveals the slightest bit of emotion: "...[the implications of Miss Kenton's words] were such as to provoke a certain degree of sorrow within me. Indeed-why should I not admit it?-at that moment, my heart was breaking." (239) While Stevens was naive in believing Miss Kenton would return to Darlington Hall with him, he should have expected it. Cutting off their cocoa meetings, angering her with his lack of emotion, Stevens has himself to blame for letting Miss Kenton escape in the first place.
As I reflect on my post from section II, I noted on how Stevens was concerned with his image to other people. If he was not so concerned with this, perhaps he and Miss Kenton would have ended up married happily.
When I finished reading, I snapped this book shut and declared to myself, "This is a good book."
Wow! Since I feel that everyone else has hit the mark and said what I would have said, I won't discuss the big points.
To answer ... dario's question (since he's going back to butlering, will Stevens truly turn his life around), I think that the shock of having his whole life turned upside down on him would definitely cause a change. That change is apparent when Stevens says he would "look at this whole matter of bantering more enthusiastically," which is the "key to human warmth" (245). Before, Miss Kenton symbolically tried to liven up Stevens's "dungeonlike" dwelling with flowers, and now he's planning to make people laugh. So, I feel that he would change. Besides, from an author's point of view, leaving the book on a positive note would only reinforce the message of the book ("adopt a more positive outlook and try to make best of what remains of my day" 244).
To address courtney can't...'s connection with The Catcher in the Rye, I thought that was a brilliant connection. Both books do seem to be stressing the same thing, that there are some things out of our control. Holden couldn't stop Phoebe from seeing all the bad things in the world, like the "F*** You" sign etched on the school wall, and thus losing her "innocence." Stevens on the other hand could not control his past, the fact that Lord Darlington wasn't a "great" man or that he missed the opportunity with Miss Kenton. In both cases he had deluded himself, first with denial second with misinterpreting letters. Although, it's strange that these two books would have similar endings; they're really different. It's like sitting down on a public bench is the "in-thing" for epiphanies.
By the way, what's with Mrs Symon's The Wonders of England? Why does the author have Stevens follow the beauties of England on his symbolical road trip? My guess is that... the book is telling Stevens that there are beautiful things out there, just waiting to be found.
And Stevens, through his hardship, raises the everyday question: is serving others more important than serving yourself? and in the end is it worth it?
So, after finishing the book, I left with a slight bit of disappointment, but overall appreciation for it. Agreeing with jlam09, I was hoping (not truly expecting) for Miss Kenton and Stevens to end up together in the end--which did not happen.
However, moving on, I wanted to comment on Miss Kenton's reaction to the death of her aunt on page 176. Again, just like Stevens, she does not fall to the floor and weep--she seems unaffected. This may just mean that they are both similar in certain ways, such as emotionally (which may have to do with their careers). This could also be an explanation as to why they did not end up together in the end: they could not communicate their emotions to each other.
On page 235, Stevens mentions how "his lordship's good name was destroyed forever," resulting in no guests, etc.--an empty house. I just find it so sad that someone who was once at the top ended his life being at the bottom. However, I admire how Stevens respected his employer until the very end and on--saying that he should be remembered with all of the positives that took place. Just wondering... were the accusations made against Lord Darlington about anti-Semitism?
Final comment-- I just thought I should mention Stevens' loyalty to Lord Darlington. He would hear everything taking place in the political conferences, and would always remain loyal--never revealing what he had heard. On page 225, that is just what happens...no matter what Mr. Cardinal says--Stevens does not reveal anything of importance. There was a lot of pressure on him to at least reveal something, but he does not give in--always keeping it professional.
Anyways, to end my blog...I really enjoyed reading this book--it was different than most. It focused on a small topic, but expanded it in a great way--making for a wonderful read.
I feel the need to be completely repetitive and state, as did almost everyone else, that this book was my personal favorite out of them all. The author has such an amazing grip on the English language, the reader really does become emotionally involved with Stevens. To reflect back on an earlier post that I made, and agree with a number of my fellow students, it seems that Stevens quest for "dignity" has robbed him of his basic, human, emotional being. He has put so much time and effort into embodying his profession to the highest degree that he has, it appears, developed some sort of psychological complex that hinders him from showing emotions easily.
For me, the part of the novel that speaks to me the most is none other than the meeting between Stevens and Miss Kenton. It is apparent through Steven's psychological "poking", "prodding", and inquiry of Miss Kenton's feelings towards her husband that he is "testing the waters", so to speak. He clearly has feelings for her, this grew more and more apparent to me throughout the novel the more he spoke about her. Now he wants to know if she reciprocates those feelings, but alas nothing romatic grows out of their interaction.
It also crossed my mind many a time that Miss Kenton had feelings for Stevens while she was working with him in Darlington Hall. This brings up an interesting, yet tragic, idea. It seems to me like a sort of "too little, too late" situation, where the potential for a romace existed but was never acted upon until it was futile to pursue it. This brings up another point of mine.
Suppose the blame for this overlooked romance should be placed on Stevens' position as a butler? Perhaps because of the emotional restraint required by this position, along with Stevens' never ending quest for greatness and dignity, he lost contact with his heart. This sacrifice clearly does not go unnoticed, or without repercussions. Is it worth it, to dedicate your life so fully to fulfilling a task as to lose yourself in it?
Apparently it isn't, and the melancholy tone at the end of the novel can attest to that.
Wow! so much to say.. so let's see if I can remember it all...
Well, to start off I must admit that this was my least favorite of the three novels. (100 Years of Solitude being number 1 [yay!] and Things Fall Apart being number two [slightly quieter yay])
Although I was not all that fond of the novel I should, however, point out its positives. I definitely enjoyed Stevens' cold and reserved tone throughout the novel. No matter what was going on, he seemed to keep this cool demeanor at all times. I also enjoyed the ending. Like many of you have already mentioned, The Remains of the Day doesn't have this "lived happily ever after" wrapped up ending. Instead, it is realistic in the sense that sometimes life 'just is'. Instead of always looking back at the past, "You've got to enjoy yourself. The evening's the best part of the day. You've don't your day's work. Now you can put your feet up and enjoy it. That's how I look at it. Ask anybody, they'll all tell you. The evening is the best part of the day," (244). The way I see it, no matter how terrible your day may have been, what matters is what "Remains of the Day."
Another comment I wanted to make was that I totally agree with Mary in that this entire novel is an excellent example of the first chapter of How To Read Literature Like A Professor. Stevens not only takes a literal trip through England, but he also takes a journey. Stevens is the quester, the place to go is Miss Kenton's home, the reason to go is to see Miss Kenton, the challenges along the way are his car breaking down,getting lost, and just being stuck in the past, and finally the real reason for him traveling was to have his doubts answered or at least cleared up.
As many of you have already done, I also need to comment on the encounter between Miss Kenton and Stevens. It was clear that there was definitely some sort of tension between the two characters (old issues, old memories, attraction, regrets, etc.) When Stevens thought back and remembered Miss Kenton mentioning the marriage, I believe she did so not to make small talk but to bring up a response. I think deep down inside there must have been some sort of attraction between them (otherwise why would his actions and comments bother her and why would her image be such a prominent part of his memory?) Even thought it seems like they both wanted each other but never could say it, I doubt that relationship could have ever worked out. Don't ask me why, it's just a 6th sense I have.
The novel ends pretty well, Stevens meets up with Miss Kenton again and finally ties up that very unhappy ending to the cocoa meetings and pretty much goes back to his work with a renewed effort in his bantering.
Even though it's a happy ending it is also very blan. I was expecting his story about his trip as an eye-opening adventure that will change him in so many ways. However, he continues to only think about work to the end the book. The story was mostly about him thinking about the past. Granted, he learned a few things about himself like his definition of "dignity".
I agree with Mary as well, this is the example of a quest story and it is a story about self-knowledge. However, there is a part of me that wishes that he gains more out of this experience outside of Darlington Hall. Like stated in "How to Read Literature Like a Professor," we usually follow the young in the story because they recieve the most in their experience compared the older character who probably take a smaller lesson.
Not to be repetitive or anything, but I also really liked this book as well. I loved the language that Ishiguro used throughout the story, and I must agree with Dario, that Stevens really is a character I connect with emotionally by the end of this novel.
Well it seems that many of you have mentioned the obvious love implications that exist(ed) between Miss Kenton (Mrs. Benn) and Stevens. An obvious observation is that Stevens frequently recalls Miss Kenton in most of his recollections, and to me it was pretty obvious that they may have had something going on, but what I find very symbolic is one of these "turning points" that Stevens mentions. When Miss Kenton manages to walk into Stevens' room as he is reading his "romance" she consistently urges him to let her see what he is reading. I found this as being very similar to their relationship. It seemed as though Miss Kenton was constantly trying to open up with Steven in some way, or give him the opportunity, and he would never take it, always being worried with his professionalism, which is one of his excuses for not showing her the book. And finally, when she does manage to see the book, he pushes her out completely, which is symbolic for the "turningpoint" I believe, where Stevens' "romantic" side is breifly seen by Miss Kenton, before he pushes her out once again. I also found it symbolic that he tried to have a very professional reason for the reading the book in the first place, to develop his command of the English language. Whether or not this is the original reason, I don't know, but I think it displays some sort of symbolism between Stevens' and Miss Kenton's love, and Stevens' attitude towards his profession. Not to mention I also found it ironic because Stevens says he never really took interest in love stories, yet what we are reading can be considered a love story, and he says it helped him develop a command for English, and if we don't see proper English throughout this book, I don't know where we will...
As for the ending, I really like Mary's mention of the symbolism with the rain, and I wouldn't have picked up on it unless you mentioned it. I think everyone made great points, especially about the man at the end and summarizing the title. I must say I agree with Dario's view of the title, just because I believe Stevens will return to be a butler and act simply on his employer's request.
The book was great and I didn't mind reading it at all maybe not one of my favorites, but definitely not on my hate list either.
Well, it's fitting I should be listening to the doors as I write this, but the ending was depressing for me. Throughout the whole book Mr. Stevens is reminiscing about Ms. Kenton and her possible return to Darlington Hall. Most of the memories he looks back on relate to Ms.Kenton and it's easy to see that they did have hidden feelings for one another and like someone mentioned(can't remember the name) it was a "i love you but im gonna keep it hidden sort of thing" they both had for each other.
I also most definitely agree that the title becomes clearer in the end. 'The Remains of the Day' points out what Stevens has left at the end of his journey, his day; all of the good, the bad, and the ugly. I agree with others that said the author was trying to convey a message of lost opportunities and your chance to grab them before they slipped away. But, did anyone else notice that maybe Stevens was trying to make up for those lost opportunities? For instance, he is constantly referring to Miss Kenton and her possible return to the house. I see it as a last opportunity to try to be with Miss Kenton. When Miss Kenton gives Steven her daughters address, she seems very eager that Stevens sees her and even tells him that she has told her daughter about Stevens. To me, that seemed almost like a love lost kind of story she might have told her daughter about Stevens. But for some reason, it just gave me the impression that she might have spoken affectionately about Stevens to her daughter; a bit of a stretch I know. When Stevens asks her at the end whether she's being mistreated, it's a bit like a last chance he has to ever be with Miss Kenton. It's almost as if Stevens wants Miss Kenton to be unhappy, so she would come back to Darlington Hall and maybe even be with him. But unfortunately that isn't the case. Although my suspicions of hidden love were confirmed when Miss Kenton mentions that she wondered what her life would have been like with Stevens. That part especially made me a little depressed.
But...Stevens ends up taking this trip in hopes of reuniting Miss Kenton with Darlington Hall and that doesn't happen. He is left with the remains of the day, his losses, of his father and Ms. Kenton, his loyalty to his Lord and his doubts, and his future in this new world that he's trying to fit with. He goes on a journey of self-discovery as Foster writes in the first chapter of his novel, "How to Read Literature like a Professor". He discovers life isn't worth dwelling in the past and it's about time that he try some new things, little changes as they are like bantering. It is for the first time in the novel that I see him refer to wanting human warmth.
And so this is the end...my only friend the end...
The ending of this book was somewhat like the rest of it: dull. Yes, I do have some compassion for Stevens, however I think I expected to much from him on this journey.
Stevens is totally predictable when Miss. Kenton is basically begging him to give her a reason to not get married, all he can say is "indeed" (215). She says it two different ways that she is thinking it over and hasn't come to a desicion yet. After all the times he mentioned her, the letters, and how he wanted to make sure he contacted her on the trip, he does nothing but let her slip away. She tries to evoke some kind of emotion from him when she is yelling about leaving early and even then he is as polite as ever. I don't think Stevens even understood what her attempt was. She goes as far as to tell him that he has been an "important figure"(219), to her and her aquaintence and he merely brushes her off and goes hastily upstairs. OF course when he sees her again at the bus stop is when he really begins to regret it. And she kinds of gives it to him by saying that shes remembers that her "rightful place is with [her] husband", (239). This after she says how she sometimes thinks about how a life with him could have been. I was somewhat surprised that he even mentioned to that reader that his "heart was breaking", but once again kept it in and didn't relay the message to Mrs. Benn. I'll give Stevens the benefit of the doubt and say that the reason for this is for his own self pride and "dignity" so that she doesn't feel sorry for him. He strives for that perfection and he would never allow her to see him falter.
One event that i believe was a symbol or had some signifigance was the turning on of the pier lights. He mentions it more than once. I though it could have been a sign of a light bulb turning on in his head becasue he does seem like he came to a conclusion. That being you can't control the course of your life and there is no need to dwell on it. I wasn't sure if anyone caught that. I would be interested to hear someone else's point of view.
In the end however I beleive Stevens wanted to change and become a new man. He wanted to branch out and feel the "human warmth" he had lacked for so long.
Hey I am so sad for stevens and proud of him at the same time it kills me that he could never look inside him self when the time came and see that Miss Kenton meant more to him than he had thought originally. And i think even he realized that he should have done things differently. Im proud of his decision to give up his profession and start a new life for himself. The Remains of the day was a sad story because he didnt get the girl like most books and movies the protagonist gets the girl but in the end i think stevens walked away with something more precious he left with his self worth, and with his life in his own hands and that was an amazing thing.
In the end, Stevens did not walk away with Ms. Kenton. He did not get a second chance at love. She had given him so many chances, and he turned away from all of them, and when he finally realizes what she means to him, it is too late, for she has stopped waiting. At the end of the novel, we see that it really has been a love story all along, which is ironic, since Stevens himself says he doesnt not understand why people read love stories. The meeting with the old man at the pier serves as a summary of his adventure, his quest, and sets him in the right mind to get back to what he does have left for him, being a butler.
This book really didn’t manage to make it even close to my top favorites. Perhaps it was the way Stevens talked, or perhaps it was because I couldn’t really relate to him.
As many have mentioned, the part when Miss Kenton’s aunt passes away brings an odd, yet almost expected reaction from Stevens. He forgets to try and comfort her, or say he is sorry about the death, or anything of the sort. When he does remember, he wants to tell her, but since she was in her room, he assumed she was crying and didn’t want to interrupt a private matter such as that. Most people want comfort from their tears and sadness. This was all so foreign to Stevens that he had no idea that to comfort her might help. It just goes to show one more example of how strange and caged his emotions are. Also probably why Miss Kenton left to meet other people. Who would want to stay with someone so stiff, someone who only knows how to interact by giving orders or commenting on cleaning? That’s hardly even interaction. Also I feel like Stevens clings on to doing his job as a way to cope with having no social skills and losing Miss Kenton.
I didn’t understand Stevens’ denial over having qualities of a gentleman. When Mr. Morgan asks what Stevens thinks a gentleman is, saying he must know because he is one, Stevens replied with “It is hardly for me to pronounce upon the qualities I may or may not possess.” (185) Does servanthood really run so deeply through him that he isn’t even allowed to think of himself as a gentleman?
The last part of the book, day 6, really was sad. Stevens finally let his emotions (sort of) show, when talking to the man, who told him to stop looking back. His reunion with Miss Kenton was a bittersweet one, as he never told her how he felt. But in the end, he at least has the hope that he can go back and surprise Mr. Faraday. Even with that hope though, the final tone is rather sad.
A big theme in this novel seems to be loss as all of the main characters lose a person very dear to them. This then ties into regret such as when Stevens breaks down wishing that he has handled the situation differently. The tone has seem to shift or even evolved from nostalgia into regret as the ending nears. Stevens' hubris leads to his downfall as he fails convinces Miss Kenton to return to darlington hall. Stevens perception of dignity seems to be inherited from his father. He seems to live from what he has observed by his father which then hinders him from having any room to grow and have a sense of identity.
While I found I enjoyed the book overall, I have to admit that it was quite slow on the uptake near the beginning. At times I found it outright boring, which in turn led me to start One Hundred Years of Solitude at one point. It took me a while to plow through that and get to the stuff that really caught my attention, but it was at a constant struggle to keep my attention, especially after I started One Hundred Years.
The most common theme in the book, besides that of journeys, is probably that of time and change. Steven’s weakness is that he is constantly staying, reminiscing in the past. His journey can be seen of traveling back in time, but in reality he’s discovering himself, how in a way he has messed up in the past, allowing the terms and the regulations of the pass rule him so completely that it affected his future so greatly. In fact, I think it definitely made him socially stunted, at the very least.
Referring to how Jenny hoped for Miss Kenton and Stevens to return together, I’ve learned from the past two books (One Hundred Years of Solitude, Things Fall Apart) to not expect the happy-go-lucky ending. I expected Stevens, so ingrained with the ideas of the past to this point, to be unlikely to change his views so suddenly. He has become so restricted and professional in his profession, that it has led him to be the same in his personal life as well. He realizes that “it is too late to turn back the clock” (239) and by doing so realizes what he has left, the “remains of the day” if you will. The positives, the negatives, and everything in between. Steven realizes that while it cannot be changed, he can use it to better his future days. As journeys typically end, Stevens has discovered himself for the better, and perhaps prepares himself for a new journey ahead.
Wow! I surprised myself with Miss Kenton. It turned out that Miss Kenton was the only person who had the ability to draw out emotion from Stevens the man who would not even crack after his own father's death. She has become another one of those past choices that he regrets making. Miss Kenton and Stevens could have been something, but looking back on it now he knows it is his fault they are not.
As Stevens completes his quest he obviously has grown as a person. He returns to this awkward situation with the bantering with his employer. He has learned that life does not have to be so serious perhaps. This journey was all about realizing that his job does not necessarily have to be his life and his identity. That is something we see now at the end of this book that he has truly regretted. He has learned to take things less seriously, to be more human.
This book was enjoyable because as a reader and someone who lives life in the same way as Stevens, I was able to see him grow. It was as if I traveled on the same journey as Stevens. I came to learn similar lessons as he during this adventure. Perhaps I have taken life too seriously, maybe I take working too seriously and like Stevens I shall take part in "bantering"
To Andy: I don't think Stevens's lesson was small at all. On the contrary, I think it was pretty big, learning to express emotions and opinions and be an individual. It was, though, a lesson he should have learned long ago.
One of the best moments for me while reading this book is when Stevens is on the pier and he starts crying. To me, his quest wasn't to get Miss Kenton. The prize at the end was self-knowledge. And he finnaly let go, let his emotions show. Throughout the book, we all got attached to Stevens, so I felt really happy for him in the end when water fell from his eyes. He finally loses the perfect butler personality, and although the real him is sad, it's still him.
The ending was a surprise to me. I really wanted Miss Kenton, or Mrs. Benn, and Stevens to become a couple. Like I stated previously, I thought that something happened between them that made Stevens shameful and made her leave. I see the ending as ironic because Stevens even cries in the end. Of course he is not the happiest person; he feels that his past was lost, but he does appear to take it well. After he finishes crying, he states that he will do something different for a change and make new friends and will have “bantering” more often. Though he does regret his past, he somehow find comfort in knowing that he has a second chance (which is the complete opposite of the book “One Hundred Years of Solitude”) with the new American owner. I would have liked Stevens to go through a complete new identity change, but he still remains the stiff, awkward butler he started out as. The only difference is that he has learned to move on and try new things.
That was a good ending; filled with bittersweet-ness! A pretty decent book I must say!
Mr. Stevens realizes that his “heart was breaking” (239) (emotion, YES!!) and soon Miss Kenton’s “eyes had filled with tears” (240). If only they realized sooner… The way I see this novel is a tragic love story, like Romeo and Juliet (When in doubt it’s from Shakespeare!! lol). Except that what’s keeping these two lovers apart is not death, but their past mistakes. Mr. Stevens regret of being too caught up in his work and putting his trust in someone who had the ultimate mistake has put him in a state of shame and regret. Miss Kenton wanted revenge on Stevens for not showing emotions to her when necessary, so she gets married. However, she lives unhappily because she knows she was meant to be with Stevens. No matter how hard they try and no matter how much they deny it, they will never be fully happy unless it is with each other.
I loved the part where Stevens is sitting on the bench with the “cheerful fellow” and he just pours out his heart to this stranger. Stevens finally lets go of his burden: “Since my new employer Mr. Farraday arrived, I’ve tried very hard, very hard indeed, to provide the sort of service I would like him to have. I’ve tried and tried, but whatever I do I find I am far from reaching the standards I once set myself. More and more errors are appearing in my work… Goodness knows, I’ve tried and tried, but it’s no use. I’ve given what I had to give. I gave it all to Lord Darlington.” (243) And this is when he relieves his “secret.” He regrets having spent so much energy and time and giving his all to this man, who didn’t even care for him enough, and putting his trust in this man to only have it thrown away and forgotten. Stevens regrets not living his life the way he would like. He always waited on everyone else, but forgot about himself. Actually, the way I see it, he doesn’t even have an identity; he relies on the power of Lord Darlington to give him a name.
Another line I loved was, “I should cease looking back so much, that I should adopt a more positive outlook and try to make the best of what remains of my day. After all, what can we ever gain in forever looking back and blaming ourselves if our lives have not turned out quite as we might have wished? The hard reality is, surely, that for the likes of you and I, there is little choice other than to leave our fate in the hands of those great gentlemen at the hub of this world who employ our services.” (244) Stevens knows what he must do to at least enjoy the remains of his days (learn to talk more, laugh more, have a good time). This passage shows once again the feeling of regret (which he is no longer ashamed of showing); he didn’t take control of his life, but let others dominate it. It also shows that even though Stevens is forever changed by the fact that he gave his all to Lord Darlington, he is dependent on being a butler and therefore cannot take a totally drastic move to change his life; but he does take little steps to improve it.
Speaking of improving… there was rain!! I was very excited that I got to interrupt the rain, and I choose to write my essay on it!
That’s all for now! Oh.. I'm happy I read this book... =)
This site will be the summer resource for students in Mr. Gallagher and Ms. Clapp's AP Literature courses. You'll come here to discuss summer reading, college searches and applications, and literary topics in general.
36 comments:
The final stretch..
Well overrall I did enjoy reading this novel. The end of Stevens' journey really tied everything in.
Dr. Carlisle seemed as if the subject of "dignity" really didn't interest him at all. While he was discussing that topic with Stevens, on the ride to the Ford, he seemed as if he was trying to change the topic. Also when asked about his definition of dignity, he completely ignored Stevens and started talking about how nice the Ford was. I think it may have been because dignity comes in so many ways and his view of it may cause that peaceful ride to turn into some form of argument.
Also, Mr. Cardinal and his view on the meetings was somewhat odd. He truely believed that the intentions of the meetings were bad. I was a bit confused about the actual meaning of the meeting. Can someone please explain their view on if Mr. Cardinal was right or not.
The meeting with Miss Kenton wasn't what I had expected. They didn't really seem to have the connection I thought they would until the end. Miss Kenton had tears in her eyes, and Stevens had stated earlier that his heart was breaking. Also, the way that Stevens opened up with a complete stranger really surprised me. It is really not like him to do that. He is a very confined man and doesn't often open up. The man was right though. It was related back to the title, "The Remains of the Day." It is true, stop looking back on the past like Stevens always did. It doesn't help the future at all. You still have the rest of your life. Like they say, "The evening's the best part of the day."
One last thing, I do believe he is a new man and he will soon start to be himself and stop trying so hard to impress others. I do believe he will be able to say simple sentences and just express how he feels after the experience he had on this journey of a lifetime.
This book has been a fairly interesting, a good read in those hot summer days. The whole message conveyed by Ishigaro was very clear and present in the last pages of the book.
On pg.239, when Mr.Stevens and Mrs.Benn (Miss.Kenton)were sitting in a bus stop on rainy day, the dialogue between them is orbiting on the subject of the letter and how Mrs.Benn then explains the reason of the letters' contents and also gave a unique lesson: "After all, there's no turning back the clock now. One cant be forever dwelling on what might have been. One should realize one has as good as most perhaps better and be grateful"(239) the whole quote has been the lesson that Stevens, as a person who has been reminiscing on the past and lived on the principles and conduct he has abide by for the most part of his life for do long that when these shallow "prerequisites" of the Hayes Society did not matter, it was as though his life's meaning and purpose were lost and insufficient.
The author of this book, Ishigaro , uses the element of having the protagonist journey throughout the story only to have the character suddenly have a moment to himself and look back on his person and realize how he has lost his youth and his tenacity for for his job how, just like his father he begins to deteriorate and his vitality that he once had for his job becomes lost from giving tireless obedience to a man that hardly had any consideration of respect for people like Stevens, and how the protagonist then disheartened by this fact that he then reminisce of his most glorious days as a top-notch, perfect butler to then convince his person of his accomplishments when he has been zealously following the requirements of the Hayes Society and has acquired nothing for his efforts. And when the years of his once promising life are gone in his past, he would only be left in the end, heartbroken when he heard the meaning of the passage Mrs.Benn had said:"I do not think I responded immediately, for it took me a moment or two to fully digest these words of Miss.Kenton/Moreover, as you might appreciate, their implications were such as to provoke a certain degree of sorrow within me."(239)
When those accomplishments were no longer valid in the present and future, thus having him conflict with the now modern customs of the present and Mr.Farraday. The author also creates the setting in the springtime which is appropriate with the theme of how Stevens has experienced a catharsis of the mind and has been give a new perspective on life,his rebirth.
Ishigaro has the protagonist, Stevens venture off throughout England to not only take a vacation but to journey into the depths of his conscious to find out what is truly the most valuable goal in his life, besides being perfect to someone else.
So now for the ending…
Personally I found the ending to be somewhat disappointing because I had expected Miss Kenton and Stevens to return to Darlington Hall together. Throughout Stevens’s final reminiscences, he brings back more and more memories he has had with Miss Kenton. I found his recollection of the incident in which Miss Kenton announces her engagement to be the most revealing about his and her underlying emotions towards each other. Throughout their exchange, Miss Kenton seems to be searching for Stevens to find an excuse to hold her behind from leaving. It seems as though Miss Kenton wants Stevens to give her a reason to remain behind. However, his curt responses caused Miss Kenton to be in disbelief that “after the many years of service [she] has given in [that] house, [he has] no more words to greet the news of [her] possible departure…” (219). She even goes to state that Stevens had “been a very important figure for [her] and [her] acquaintance.” (219). As I read this scene, I wonder if in Stevens’ recollection he sees the obvious signs of Miss Kenton’s hints of her feelings towards him. I find that this incident is a great example of how restricted and how sacrificing his profession as a butler has lead him to be.
When Stevens finally sees Miss Kenton, I find it interesting that he addresses her as Mrs. Benn, when throughout the novel readers have grown to know her to be Miss Kenton. It is as though Miss Kenton has transformed into a new person with her new title. I found their reunion to be bitter-sweet. It is obvious that over the years, Miss Kenton has no doubt contemplated the possibilities of a different life if she had stayed with Stevens at Darlington Hall. She makes that point clear by recalling that at times “[she] gets to thinking about a different life, a better life [she] might have had. For instance, [she gets] to thinking about a life [she] may have had with [Stevens]” (239).
It seems as though this meeting with Miss Kenton has awaken Stevens in a sense from his stoic nature. Though he recognizes that “it is too late to turn back the clock” (239), he does see that he may have overlooked and missed out on opportunities in his life. However, as the title of the novel now seem to reveal, that at the end of it day, we are all left with what remains, that is the good and the bad, the joys and the hardships, and the success and the failures. What “remains of the day” cannot be changed, but it can be used to help one strive towards a better day, as Stevens in the end announced that it “perhaps is in deed time [he] began to look at [the] whole matter of bantering more enthusiastically”. As a man who seems so stuck in his days under Lord Darlington, his journey seems to have helped him progress into adjusting to the changing times.
As I conclude this story, I must confess that it has truly left me thinking. I really did enjoy it, however, some elements are slightly confusing.
What I was well aware of was that this whole time I was waiting for the interaction between Stevens and Miss Kenton to be in the present tense, yet Ishiguro skips entirely over the meeting and relays the encounter yet again as another memory of Stevens. His brief encounter with her after all these years subtly stated that Miss Kenton was in fact... perhaps... romantically fond of Mr. Stevens (?)... (maybe)
It's still somewhat of a mystery to me, as you can tell.
As jlam09 said, the ending wasn't a cliche happy one since Miss Kenton remained with her husband, a bit to my disappointment. Yet it was obvious that Stevens attempted to break away by asking her "I simply wondered if you were being ill-treated in some way." and after being reassured, he reminded her of how many times she had left her husband, yet she seemed firm in responding that "yes, Mr. Stevens, I've grown to love him."
Regarding Professor Foster's theories on the journey for self discovery, Stevens was certainly left analyzing himself and all the actions he took during his service under Lord Darlington and among Miss Kenton.
Yet he finally concludes his feelings on Lord Darlington, and for the first time, as he finishes his narration, he looks toward the future and what he will do when he gets back to Darlington Hall. This is what he finally learns from a total stranger. This wise stranger has a very important symbolic meaning. Yet what he says ties in what the whole story has conveyed, and also relates back to the title.
"Now, look, mate, I'm not sure I folow everything you're saying. But if you ask me, your attitude's all wrong see? Don't keep looking back all the time you're bound to get depressed...you've got to keep looking forward... You've got to enjoy yourself. The evening's the best part of the day. You've done your day's work. Now you can put your feet up and enjoy it."
The title is well understood here. Mr. Stevens' journey through the back roads of England have allowed him to delve into his memories and the "remains of his day" so to speak. He has finally made peace with with every internal conflict he has,
and finally looks forward to Mr. Farraday's return in the hopes that he will please him, as it is in his profession to do. Rebirth.
well, that's that.
peace & love.
The conclusion of the book answers the overarching questions that are present throughout.
I must cite the meeting between Miss Kenton and Stevens, in which she informs him that she is to be married, that serves as a pivotal moment in their relationship and the catalyst to Miss Kenton's permenent relocation. I agree with jlam09's analysis that Miss Kenton was implicitly imploring Stevens to ask her to remain. Not only did he fail to do this, but his impersonal response caused Miss Kenton to vocalize- "Am I to take it...that after the many years of service I have given in this house, you have no more words to greet the news of my possible departure than those you have just uttered?" (219). She gave him an unsaid ultimatum- that if he didn't ask her to stay, profess his true feelings, that she would vanish from his life. He failed; yet ironically, considers that evening a "triumph" (228) as he retained his dignity. Further evidence to suggest Miss Kenton's feelings for Stevens occurred in their meeting at the inn where she revealed that she had reflected on the idea of their beginning a life together. This piece of information came as a slight shock, for although I speculated that Stevens had feelings for Miss Kenton, I had never considered the possibility of it being reciprocated- a fact makes Stevens' qualms that much greater. Thus, Ishiguro makes a strong claim about the necessity to seize opportunities when they are presented, as Stevens never truly was able to explain to Miss Kenton the depth of his feelings and ergo they will remain forever apart.
Stevens is very much a niave man, for all his polished speech and unrelenting manners. He not only refused to see the glaring truth about Darlington but also viewed Miss Kenton's letter as a suggestion of her imminent return to Darlington Hall. Although the letter did profess some unhappiness in her current situation, she expressed no desire to leave her husband and return. Steven's niave love for Miss Kenton blinded him into believing she would return, giving him a second opportunity.
For my stringency, I must concede that the ending was quite sad. I agree with gypsyloo that a change had overcome Stevens catalyzed by his conversation with the stranger on the pier. His candid words about lost opportunities and bad judgement truly represent a shift from his normal stoic, imperturbable attitude. It seems that Stevens has finally paid heed to the emotions that he has long been squelching culminating to the tears shed on the pier.
Concluding...
As many have said, and as I reiterate, I did thoroughly enjoy reading this book, although I did close this book with a great feeling of sadness (the author intended it to be so, and I fell into the emotional aspects of the ending hook line and sinker).
First, I wanted to address gypsyloo's lingering questions about the nature of Miss Kenton and Stevens' relationship- was it love? I believe so. As thalp points out, after Miss Kenton makes the remark that she accepted a proposal of marriage, instead of responding with "heartfelt" congratulations, or sincere wishes imploring Miss Kenton to stay, Stevens makes an impersonal remark congratulating her and excusing himself immediately. Miss Kenton's need for him to express a more personal response is highlighted, as thalp points out, with the quote: "Am I to take it...that after the many years of service I have given in this house, you have no more words to greet the news of my possible departure than those you have just uttered?" (219).In other words she's saying: "That's it? That's all you're gonna say?" The fact that she was trying to get a response from him by deliberately baiting him (making fun of him) also indicate an emotional attachment to Stevens. Perhaps he didn't realize it, but much later chronologically (at the end of the book for us) Stevens also realizes his feelings for Miss Kenton perhaps having disguised them from himself the entire time before.
I've found one puzzling aspect of their relationship that I'm trying to interpret. When Miss Kenton's aunt dies, Stevens forgets to offer his condolences. He plucks up the resolve to speak with her, but he ends up talking about the 'new recruits' and how they were settling in. Not surprisingly he doesn't even mention condolences. For some reason (inexperience with emotional matters?) he even manages to 'insult' Miss Kenton by calling more and more attention to housework that was not satisfactorily done. He does not mention WHY he lapsed (perhaps this was by design, but the first person narrative has made me used to having Stevens lay out his motives in his own words). I'm not sure how this moment was a "turning point" in their relationship, as he calls it later. As readers, we can see clearly that this incident highlights both Stevens continued repression of his emotions behind the butler's facade (his 'dignity') and to illustrate Stevens' musing about 'what-ifs.'
The theme of lost opportunity and 'regret' is what makes this novel tragic- Stevens passed up every opportunity for happiness and emotional fulfillment in favor of his job, and his "dignity." If his employer had been great, he could have called himself a 'great butler' who served a 'great gentleman.' Instead, Lord Darlington's status as a 'great gentleman' is itself seriously called into question. If he "gave the very best [he] had to give to Lord Darlington" (242)- if he gave the best of his life to Darlington, and since Lord Darlington ultimately came to nothing, what can he do except to pick up the pieces (as he calls it, the "Remains of the Day") and move on into an uncertain future? Having thrown away everything in pursuit of a goal never to be achieved, what CAN he do but look forward?.....So sad...
To answer Stevie Wonder...'s question, I think that that moment was a "turning point" in their relationship because it was another instance in which Stevens cut off Miss Kenton emotionally. I thought that it was simply another missed opportunity for Stevens to show his feelings for her.
I have to say, however, that overall I found the book a bit boring.
The ending was sad, however, and I didn't think the reason for that was so much because of Stevens' regrets. I found it sad becuase, in a matter of five days of self-reflection and reflection on Lord Darlington's dignity, Stevens realized that his whole life had been basically a sham. Because Stevens was so dedicated to his profession, the validity and importance of which is now questioned, it appears as though he had lived for nothing.
It was also a bit depressing that Stevens clearly misinterpreted Miss Kenton's slight unhappiness as a sign that she wished to come back to Darlington Hall, and possibly to be with him; this was simply wishful thinking on his part. It didn't really surprise me, however. Also, when he discussed Miss Kenton were the only times Stevens showed any sort of emotion; when she told him she had no intention of coming back to work, he confessed deep pain to the reader for the first time in the novel.
So, the book is at it's end. I must say, honestly, on a scale of 1-10, I would give it a 3 or a 4. It's not really my choice for a book to read, but then again, some of the scenes were enjoyable. The book to me was a little dull. I caught myself reading certain lines or paragraphs more than once because I wasn't engaged in the book. But enough of that...
While Mr. Stevens is driving in his Ford after the doctor drops him off, his mind is preoccupied with none other than good ol' Miss Kenton. "In fact, many of the sights that greeted me this morning were among the most charming I have so far encountered. It was unfortunate, then, that I could not for much of the time give to them the attention they warranted...one would be meeting Miss Kenton again before the day's end," (211). Is it just me, or does this sound a little skeptical. I hate to say it but Stevens sounds like he's nervous and not the regular nervous that a person usually gets when reuniting with someone they haven't seen for a while, but rather nervous, "butterfly" nervous. He couldn't appreciate his surroundings, why? His mind was on someone else.
The secret meeting with the leaders in Day Four-Afternoon, was I have to admit, suspenseful reading. While Mr. Cardinal was in the library drunk conversing with Stevens, I kept imagining that he will do something stupid...and I still believe that. I'm not sure if I believed him when he said that the Germans are using his lordship (Mr. Farraday) as a pawn. Ever since the whole firing the two Jewish maids incident, I knew there was something strange going on. Mr. Cardinal does have a point because I don't think Mr. Farraday would have just done something like that on his own.
Also, Miss Kenton seemed irritated that she didn't receive a satisfying enough answer from Stevens. I think he was surprised but just didn't want to show it because of "professionalism and dignity". I think she wanted him to be jealous or be in some way, angered by her decision to accept her acquaintance's proposal, he just didn't succumb to it.
I find his meeting with Mrs. Benn (Miss Kenton) a good experience for Stevens. I thought she would admit that she had feelings for him and that she would leave her husband and runaway with Stevens...okay, I'm getting ahead of myself. But, it's good because now they know where they both stand--friendship and all lingering questions have been answered.
So Steven thinks he gave his best service to Mr. Darlington? I agree with him because, serving Mr. Farraday hasn't been at all that satisfactory for him. He finds himself making mistakes that he normally wouldn't do. But, speaking to this retired old man that he meets helps him realize that he doesn't have to try to hard, that he can sit back and relax. I find it only because he expects too much of himself which causes him to do so.
I like the ending. We can see that he wants to be able to please Mr. Farraday the way he pleased Mr. Darlington. He's going to practice "bantering" as he's attempted to in the beginning of the story.
I realize I like Mr. Stevens because he takes so much pride in his career and actually wants to do well...he wants to please...he wants to make his boss happy...and not only for his own sake, either.
As those before have mentioned, was Mr. Stevens and Miss Kenton's relationship love? I do believe that their relationship was love, maybe tough love. They both have pride in their own ways. Mr. Stevens rather remains professional and Miss Kenton is well, Miss Kenton. But it is at the end that her intentions were to "annoy" Mr. Stevens. Also, during their brief meeting during tea, Mr. Stevens commented many times about her physical features--little minor things from the way her shoulders move to the way she would smile. But, I do agree their relationship was sort of that undercover hiding it inside don't want to tell you type of love...
But overall, now that I think it over, I give the book a 6 out of 10. I guess it was because of the ending. It was pretty sad the way the two departed, possibly never to see each other ever again. To see Mr. Stevens get so sentimental was a plus because I saw him as a dull boring character.
****It is now 5:04 A.M. Going to sleep only to wake up in about an hour.
wow that was a really long post...sorry guys
Hmmm...just an aside comment... It looks like blogger isn't onto Eastern Standard Time. Nessa says that it is 5:04 AM (didja really stay up till 5?) when the comment was published...the blogs say 2AM...
Continue
Since Stevens realized that he loves Miss Kenton, I'm guessing they were the same age when she and his father started working together.
I agree with kris10 that the meeting with Miss Kenton definitely was not expected to result in that. From the his flashbacks I had pictured her much older than Stevens since she started working with his father. Although now that I think about it, that was not very smart of me to assume.
I expected that same thing as jlam09 of their relationship. Stevens and Miss Kenton should have found a way to be together. I agree with emily when she mentioned that he had closed of feelings emotionally towards her yet again. All those years should have made him realized that. It was obvious that she had feelings for him when she announced that she was getting married, but ran to her room because of Stevens strictly professional comments. I wish the ending was happier. =[
It was subtly obvious, oxymoron =], that Stevens had feelings for Miss Kenton. When her aunt died and he forgot to give her his condolences, his mind is stuck on it for most of the day, which shows that he cars, but like stevie wonder the second said, he is inexperienced in emotional matters.
Hah, I think he will be able to utter simple sentences, since he was listening to a comedy station on his trip and practicing.
Replying to kris10 about Mr. Cardinal and his views of the meeting: The meeting, I believe, was actually what he said it to be. However, whether Lord Darlington was being manipulated or not is up for grabs. Mr. Cardinal believed so; Stevens didn't.
After finishing this book, I definitely see the whole "quest" theme being applied here, from a chapter in How to Read Literature like a Professor. Stevens was supposed to be on a "quest" to see Mrs. Brenn, aka Miss Kenton, that was what he believed was his goal. However, his actual quest was to figure out himself, his priorities, and the actual definition of dignity, which her refers back to numerous times. Along the way, he encountered several obstacles: radiator running out of water, lack of petrol, etc. But he also met people who helped him change his mindset along the way. In the end, he came to a self-realization: his mistakes were made due to old age, not a lack of stage; dignity wasn't really what he originally defined it to be; and life is much more enjoyable if he relaxes and steers away from his professional image more often (leading back to what dignity originally meant to him).
Also, "bantering" has become some sort of a symbol in this book. Since it appeared so many times throughout the text, I figured it must be significant. In my opinion, it could stand for a change in traditions and in times. Lord Darlington has passed away, and so has the traditions Stevens worked under. He continuously tried to "banter" with Mr. Farraday but failed to because he still believed in acting traditionally. At the end of the story, however, he realizes that bantering could bring people together and bring joy to these gatherings. He opens his mind to this concept, even more than he already has, and expresses that he will practice this new type of speech more often.
Also, weather references in this text: Rain. It seems to serve as a cleansing purpose, cleansing of the past. Stevens meets with Miss Kenton on a rainy day. That same day, they share a personal conversation, discover aspects about each other they did not know of, and conclude their relationship. Stevens suggests that they move on from the past and look forward to whatever lay ahead of them. Miss Kenton agrees, and they depart with a definite foundation, contrary to the popular opinions expressed so far that it was disappointing. I found the ending to be quite concluded, like it was what was supposed to happen and it happened.
Overall, this book was really enjoyable. =]
I must admit that I did enjoy the book though at times I got rather annoyed with Stevens.
I think that so far everyone has made valid assumptions and points regarding the end of the book so I don't feel the need to reiderate what all of you have already said. I would, however, like to make a connection. When I read the last few pages where Stevens is sitting on the pier watching the lights come on and the people around him "bantering", it reminded me of the scene in The Catcher in the Rye where Holden Caulfield is sitting in the park watching his sister on the carousel. Perhaps it is because both have epiphanies, I'm not entirely sure but I would like to know if anyone else sees a connection or if I'm just dense.
Throughout the entire novel it became evident that Stevens allowed his profession to take over every aspect of his life and in doing so, he keep himself from being able to express his emotions. Stevens’ resistance to expressing his emotions forced him to be very distant and at times, he appeared as if he was better than others. For instance, Stevens was serving breakfast to Mr. Farraday when Mr. Farraday picked up his fork, examined it and placed it back on the table. Apparently something was wrong with the fork because Stevens thought “…being an American he failed to recognize the extent of the shortcoming...” (139). In addition, while on his trip, Stevens feels that he has “let oneself down” (160) because he “… allowed the Ford to run out of petrol … and the trouble yesterday concerning the lack of water in the radiator, it would be unreasonable for an observer to believe such general disorganization endemic to [his] nature.” (160) Stevens is very hard on himself and he doesn’t realize that everyone has car trouble and makes mistakes at their job once in a while, but those events are not enough reasons for him to feel as if he has let himself down. It seems that Stevens has put on a façade of being very professional and proper all of the time that doesn’t allow him to realize that he is just like everyone else and it is okay for him to make mistakes.
Due to the fact that one of the many duties as a butler is to wait on other’s and with Stevens so occupied with work, I feel that he has created a distorted self image. When Lord Darlington became increasingly involved in international affairs he began to take on the idea that the common individual was incapable of making decisions that would greatly affect their country. Throughout those events, Stevens began to believe that “… such great affairs will always be beyond the understanding of those such as you and I, and those of us concentrating on what is within our realm; that is to say, by devoting our attention to providing the best possible service to those great gentlemen in whose hands the destiny of civilization truly lies.” (199) Up to that point in the book, I felt that Stevens viewed himself as someone who put himself above those who are just like him, but comes second to those that are officials in his country. By always having to do for others, and strictly following the rules of a butler, I don’t think Stevens understands that he doesn’t have to just work within his realm and that he is capable of doing amazing things in his life. By always having to follow orders, I feel that Stevens is afraid to stand up for himself and for his beliefs. Just as he was when Mr. Spencer was implying that because Stevens was apart of the general public, he was incapable of making positive decisions for the country and also when Stevens was forced to fire the two Jewish housekeepers, even though he disagreed with Lord Darlington’s decision. If Stevens was able to find his true identity and he stopped hiding behind his profession, he would be able to live his life happily, and forget about the little mistakes he may make along the way.
In terms of Stevens and Miss Kenton’s relationship, I agree with jlam09 that after Miss Kenton told Stevens that she was engaged she seemed to want Stevens to give her any reason for her to call off the engagement. When she described her fiancé, she was very particular about the information she wanted Stevens to know, she even said “… his ultimate dream would have been to become butler of a house like this one” (172). I felt that Miss Kenton wanted Stevens to have a sense of empowerment over her fiancé because his dream was Stevens’ reality. Despite all of this, Stevens did not confess his feelings for Miss Kenton and even though it was disappointing, I was glad that Miss Kenton found a person that she loved and someone that loved her back. Although her marriage is far from perfect, with the many times she left her husband and the fact that she was not in love with him when they got married, Miss Kenton finally did something for herself and stopped waiting around for Stevens to say whether or not he was interested in her. Throughout Stevens and Miss Kenton’s relationship it always seemed as if Stevens wanted Miss Kenton to make the first move and to pursue him and now that she found someone who cared for her, it would have been wrong for Stevens to ask Miss Kenton to return to Darlington Hall with him. Despite the marital problems Miss Kenton was experiencing, I think that Stevens simply lost his chance and it was not his place to try and change her life now, just because he was finally ready to be in a more serious relationship with her.
Even though Stevens could have been upset that Miss Kenton was not going back to Darlington Hall with him, Stevens learned a valuable lesson from the man at the pier. The man advised him to “…adopt a more positive outlook and try to make the best of what remains of [his] day” (244) and that statement not only connects with the title of the book, but it leads many themes. The man was telling Stevens that regardless of the results of a hard day’s work, he cannot go back and change the outcome. The only thing that Stevens is capable of changing is the future and the way he learns from the mistakes that he makes at work and in his personal life. Although Stevens did not convince Miss Kenton to return to Darlington Hall with him, I think the lesson that he learned and the obstacles he faced throughout his trip allowed him to grow as a professional, but most importantly as a person.
Stevens personality immediately changes when he is surrounded by people who seem to admire him. On page 44, Stevens says, “‘You know when somebody’s got it [dignity] and you know when somebody hasn’t,’ Mr Graham’s argument would always be.” This is similar to when Mr. Taylor tried to define a gentleman saying, “‘…You can tell a true gentleman from a false one that’s just dressed in finery. Take yourself, sir. It’s not just the cut of your clothes, nor is it even the fine way you’ve got of speaking. There’s something else that makes you out as a gentleman. Hard to put your finger on it, but it’s plain for all to see that’s got eyes.’” (185). Stevens and Mr. Harry Smith share the same view on what dignity is; Stevens says that dignity “is something one can meaningfully strive for throughout one’s career.” (33), which corresponds to when Mr. Harry Smith says dignity is “‘something every man and woman in this country can strive for and get.’” (186). However, Stevens says that he and Mr. Harry Smith “were rather at cross purposes on this matter” (186), as to say that he believes that only gentlemen, like himself, are the only ones that can have dignity. Then, Stevens increases his ego by going on to mislead his audience that he holds position of some authority in foreign policy, as an explanation for his connections to people of great importance, rather than the fact that he is a butler of a lord’s house. But, Stevens seems to have been brought back down to earth, when another gentleman of a real title (Dr. Carlisle), enters the room. Stevens says, “…and indeed, it was no easy task to suppress the instinct to add ‘sir’.” (191), when he was answering Dr. Carlisle’s question. This whole scene is ironic because it shows a lack of dignity for Stevens, because he could not tell the people of the village his true occupation, in which he has been solely devoted to and felt was a job that required dignity.
Another ironic scene is when Mr. Cardinal comes back to Darlington Hall. However, now Mr. Cardinal comes back to expose the lord has almost no power or sensibility. Mr. Cardinal says, “‘The Nazis are manoeuvring him like a pawn…[Lord Darlington] is a gentleman, and he fought a war with the Germans, and it’s his instinct to offer generosity and friendship to a defeated foe.’” (223). When we first encountered Mr. Cardinal he was engaged, and Stevens was assigned to teach him about the facts of life. However, now it appears that Mr. Cardinal is teaching Stevens about the facts of life. Ishiguro writes, “‘And [the American chap] pointed at his lordship and called him an amateur. Called him a bungling amateur and said he was out of his depth. Well, I have to say, Stevens that American chap was quite right. It’s a fact of life. Today’s world is too foul a place for fine and noble instincts.’” (224). At this part, Stevens’s hard work to uphold traditions to become a great butler has essentially become useless. Stevens finally realizes this once he understood that he lost his chance of being with Miss Kenton, due to his restraint of emotions from his compulsion for being professional. Now all Stevens can do is make the most of the remains of his day, and I think he will be able to talk in simple subject/verb sentences.
Hi everyone,
Let me be the 16th person to say this: this book was amazing. One of my favorites.
Ishiguro is a masterful writer and develops Stevens’ character so well that the reader truly wishes that Stevens has a miraculous turn-around in his life and that he can go back in time and fix all of the “turning points” in his life. I, personally, felt a strong connection with Stevens as a character and it saddened me to read about all the missed opportunities in his life.
For example, when Stevens ignores Miss Kenton’s rather unobvious appeals to him to say or do something to make her refuse the marriage proposal, Stevens simply wishes her the best of luck on her marriage and attends to “the most powerful gentlemen of Europe…” (227) It is just so pathetic how clueless Stevens presents himself. However, I believe that Stevens realized at the time Miss Kenton’s true intention, but was simply too stubborn and afraid to recognize it (or as Thalp put it: naïve). Stevens even has “an ever-growing conviction mounting within [him] that just a few yards away, on the other side of that door, Miss Kenton was at that moment crying.” (226) He then however “[hurries] upstairs to serve some of the most distinguished gentlemen of the land…” (227) He later even feels “triumph” over this missed opportunity with Miss Kenton.
It feels to me that Stevens has wasted his life. Being a butler could have been something Stevens could have chosen to do for a couple of years of his life, but to dedicate one’s entire- and one and only –life to another, and to completely disregard one’s own natural human desires and emotions seems to me to be, simply, a waste of a life. When the town’s people mistake Stevens for a gentleman, Stevens appears to rather enjoy the process and does not deny it. Though he later tells The Doctor that he only continued to let the village people to believe incorrectly that he was a gentleman, I believe that Stevens did not reveal his true position because he liked being a Lord Darlington figure rather than a butler. It hurts me to know that Stevens could really never have broken out of his position, and I find a grain of truth in his belief that at least he made an impact in the world by aiding an influential person like Lord Darlington. Though he never fully experienced love- or many other human emotions for that matter – at least he made a global impact, something he could have never done if he were, say, a farmer.
I would also like to point out three distinct philosophies that present themselves throughout Stevens’ experiences. First, Lord Darlington tells Stevens after a meeting that he believes the world of politics and economics is “now a days” too complicated for most people to understand, and that accordingly, the vote should not be given to all. Compare that philosophy to the villagers’, Harry Smith’s in particular, about giving a voice to all, no matter what position. The third belief is presented by Mr. Cardinal, who argues that the world is too “foul” of a place for “fine and noble instincts” like those of Lord Darlington. He believes that people like Lord Darlington are too easily influenced and naïve to be given power. Mr. Cardinal seems to realize the danger in giving power to the select few.
On a different and more meaningful note, I would love to discuss Stevens’ rendezvous with Miss Kenton. When he first sees her, Stevens comments that Miss Kenton “had, naturally, aged somewhat, but to my eyes at least, she seemed to have done so very gracefully.” (232) He then goes into discussing her appearance and how he finds her attractive. However, what I found peculiar- and as jlam09 already discussed a bit -about Stevens’ encounter is that in the narrative Stevens refers to his old acquaintance as “Miss Kenton,” but in speaking to her he does not hesitate to call her “Mrs Benn.” I believe that this is one of the more apparent times where Stevens’ internal and external self conflict. Though he knows her as Miss Kenton and will forever remember her that way, he refers to her as “Mrs Benn” to conform to the “pleasantries” as Stevens often refers to them.
Also, when Miss Kenton finally confesses (implicitly at least) that she has loved and possibly still loves Stevens by saying: “And you get to thinking about a different life, a better life you might have had. For instance, I get to thinking about a life I may have had with you, Mr Stevens. “ (239) I think Stevens response to this is for me one of the saddest parts of this book. Stevens admits to his “sorrow” and “heart… breaking.”
The saddest part of Stevens’ life, I believe, is his own revelation that he has not lived a life of his own. During his chat with the stranger at the pier Stevens confesses, “I’ve given what I had to give. I gave it all to Lord Darlington.” (243) (PS: This might be the first time Stevens has ever made a “simple subject/verb sentence”) I think at this point he realizes that he has not lived his own life, has not yet made his own mistakes and misjudgments. Instead he has vicariously made them through his prior employer, which is no life at all.
Finally, I would like to discuss the title. All that remains of Stevens life is the late evening as Stevens is getting old. He has yet to experience much of what life has to offer and has lost a lot of the “Day.” However, as Stevens is told and comes to believe, “the evening is the best part of the day.” This is apparent throughout the book since it is in the (literal) evenings that Stevens seems to recollect and reminisce on the good times in his life (his cocoa meetings with Miss Kenton, etc.). In the mornings and during the day, it is time for work unpleasantries (firing of the Jewish maids, etc.).
However, unlike most of the people that posted before me, I find myself a bit cynical and see the ending of The Remains of the Day less optimistically. Kris10, Bond_Smoka and Gypsyloo commented that they saw the ending as Stevens’ “rebirth”. However, I see it as a continuation of his old life, just in a different method. Stevens promises to “enthusiastically” peruse bantering. I’m split on this... Stevens proclaims earlier that “in bantering lies the key to human warmth” so this can be seen as Stevens promising to be more warm and more human. On the other hand, he also states that he is doing it for his new employer, Mr Farraday, and is going to return to Darlington Hall. So my question is: does Stevens truly promise to turn his life around or will he continue to waste his possibilities in life?
Thank you all, it was great reading other's opinions!
I am very surprised to say that "The Remains of the Day" made me sad and happy all the same time. Overall the book was great to read and simple to understand. Steven's role as butler did not just end up a butler he to me became this whole other person when he journeys to see Ms. Kenton or Mrs.Benn as you might call it. He looked back on all these different emotions and really looked back into the past and thought about his life so profoundly. I realized that Ms.Kenton was his romantic disaster. She was pushy and mean towards him because she loved his attention and he didn't even realize how much he enjoyed her so much.
I also wanted to comment on his visit to Masocombe. He talked about dignity and what it meant to him. I think Steven's really believed dignity meant something more like loyalty at least that was the impression I felt that he gave off. Steven's was extremely tolerant of other peoples remarks even if it had offended him so. I realized that about Steven's he was a very tolerant man, he even let Lord Darlington's friends ask him questions that he knew he could not answer just to make a mockery of him.
The overall book shocked me because he seemed so determined that he would forever be a butler and to find that in the end he was sick of it. He wanted a different life for himself and I believed that was the best step of all for him.
First off, I too wanted to comment on Stevens feelings for Miss Kenton. I truely believe that he loves her and is on the journey to see her only because she said that she was unhappy with her husband. Stevens told the audience that he "found it hard to keep out of [his] mind the possibility that the purpose of these mysterious outings of Miss Kenton was to meet a suitor."(171) He pretended that the only reason that he didnt want her to leave and get married was because "Miss Kentons departure would constitute a professsional loss of some magnitude..."(171) but I think that deep down he wanted Miss Kenton to stay around Darlington Hall so she could be with Stevens, but Stevens wont say this because he refuses to express his true feelings.
I agree with jlam and other bloggers who said that they felt Miss Kenton was trying to use her engagement to evoke some feeling from Stevens, but got nothing. Since Stevens showed no concern, I felt that was the final push that Miss Kenton needed to leave Darlington Hall. I think that Miss Kenton loved Stevens but felt trapped in Darlington Hall because she was getting no reciprocation of these feelings from Stevens. Miss Kenton did not leave Darlington Hall because she was in love, but she could not go on living in the same house as Stevens when he showed that he did not care for her in the way she wanted. Proof of this point is from the quote that gypsyloo used "Yes Mr Stevens, I've grown to love him" when Miss Kenton aka Mrs. Benn was talking about her husband to Stevens.
Overall I thought this book was ok. There was some parts of the book that kept my interest like Stevens Sr.'s death and the final meeting between Stevens and Miss Kenton, but most of the book was just a little hard for me to engage in completely. I probably give this book a 5 or 6, because i mean it wasnt completely horrible. :)
I agree with several others in saying that this book has been my favorite of the three, and while the ending was somewhat "sad", I wasn't expecting Miss Kenton to run into Stevens arms and for the two of them to drive off happily into the sunset, back to Darlington Hall.
The lack of this stereotypical "happy ending" is one many readers may wish for, but I understand this would have been against Stevens' character and how Ishiguro develops him throughout the novel. When Miss Kenton informs Stevens she loves her husband and knows she belongs with him, Stevens reveals the slightest bit of emotion: "...[the implications of Miss Kenton's words] were such as to provoke a certain degree of sorrow within me. Indeed-why should I not admit it?-at that moment, my heart was breaking." (239) While Stevens was naive in believing Miss Kenton would return to Darlington Hall with him, he should have expected it. Cutting off their cocoa meetings, angering her with his lack of emotion, Stevens has himself to blame for letting Miss Kenton escape in the first place.
As I reflect on my post from section II, I noted on how Stevens was concerned with his image to other people. If he was not so concerned with this, perhaps he and Miss Kenton would have ended up married happily.
When I finished reading, I snapped this book shut and declared to myself, "This is a good book."
Wow! Since I feel that everyone else has hit the mark and said what I would have said, I won't discuss the big points.
To answer ... dario's question (since he's going back to butlering, will Stevens truly turn his life around), I think that the shock of having his whole life turned upside down on him would definitely cause a change. That change is apparent when Stevens says he would "look at this whole matter of bantering more enthusiastically," which is the "key to human warmth" (245). Before, Miss Kenton symbolically tried to liven up Stevens's "dungeonlike" dwelling with flowers, and now he's planning to make people laugh. So, I feel that he would change. Besides, from an author's point of view, leaving the book on a positive note would only reinforce the message of the book ("adopt a more positive outlook and try to make best of what remains of my day" 244).
To address courtney can't...'s connection with The Catcher in the Rye, I thought that was a brilliant connection. Both books do seem to be stressing the same thing, that there are some things out of our control. Holden couldn't stop Phoebe from seeing all the bad things in the world, like the "F*** You" sign etched on the school wall, and thus losing her "innocence." Stevens on the other hand could not control his past, the fact that Lord Darlington wasn't a "great" man or that he missed the opportunity with Miss Kenton. In both cases he had deluded himself, first with denial second with misinterpreting letters. Although, it's strange that these two books would have similar endings; they're really different. It's like sitting down on a public bench is the "in-thing" for epiphanies.
By the way, what's with Mrs Symon's The Wonders of England? Why does the author have Stevens follow the beauties of England on his symbolical road trip? My guess is that... the book is telling Stevens that there are beautiful things out there, just waiting to be found.
And Stevens, through his hardship, raises the everyday question: is serving others more important than serving yourself? and in the end is it worth it?
Hello.
So, after finishing the book, I left with a slight bit of disappointment, but overall appreciation for it. Agreeing with jlam09, I was hoping (not truly expecting) for Miss Kenton and Stevens to end up together in the end--which did not happen.
However, moving on, I wanted to comment on Miss Kenton's reaction to the death of her aunt on page 176. Again, just like Stevens, she does not fall to the floor and weep--she seems unaffected. This may just mean that they are both similar in certain ways, such as emotionally (which may have to do with their careers). This could also be an explanation as to why they did not end up together in the end: they could not communicate their emotions to each other.
On page 235, Stevens mentions how "his lordship's good name was destroyed forever," resulting in no guests, etc.--an empty house. I just find it so sad that someone who was once at the top ended his life being at the bottom. However, I admire how Stevens respected his employer until the very end and on--saying that he should be remembered with all of the positives that took place. Just wondering... were the accusations made against Lord Darlington about anti-Semitism?
Final comment-- I just thought I should mention Stevens' loyalty to Lord Darlington. He would hear everything taking place in the political conferences, and would always remain loyal--never revealing what he had heard. On page 225, that is just what happens...no matter what Mr. Cardinal says--Stevens does not reveal anything of importance. There was a lot of pressure on him to at least reveal something, but he does not give in--always keeping it professional.
Anyways, to end my blog...I really enjoyed reading this book--it was different than most. It focused on a small topic, but expanded it in a great way--making for a wonderful read.
I feel the need to be completely repetitive and state, as did almost everyone else, that this book was my personal favorite out of them all. The author has such an amazing grip on the English language, the reader really does become emotionally involved with Stevens. To reflect back on an earlier post that I made, and agree with a number of my fellow students, it seems that Stevens quest for "dignity" has robbed him of his basic, human, emotional being. He has put so much time and effort into embodying his profession to the highest degree that he has, it appears, developed some sort of psychological complex that hinders him from showing emotions easily.
For me, the part of the novel that speaks to me the most is none other than the meeting between Stevens and Miss Kenton. It is apparent through Steven's psychological "poking", "prodding", and inquiry of Miss Kenton's feelings towards her husband that he is "testing the waters", so to speak. He clearly has feelings for her, this grew more and more apparent to me throughout the novel the more he spoke about her. Now he wants to know if she reciprocates those feelings, but alas nothing romatic grows out of their interaction.
It also crossed my mind many a time that Miss Kenton had feelings for Stevens while she was working with him in Darlington Hall. This brings up an interesting, yet tragic, idea. It seems to me like a sort of "too little, too late" situation, where the potential for a romace existed but was never acted upon until it was futile to pursue it. This brings up another point of mine.
Suppose the blame for this overlooked romance should be placed on Stevens' position as a butler? Perhaps because of the emotional restraint required by this position, along with Stevens' never ending quest for greatness and dignity, he lost contact with his heart. This sacrifice clearly does not go unnoticed, or without repercussions. Is it worth it, to dedicate your life so fully to fulfilling a task as to lose yourself in it?
Apparently it isn't, and the melancholy tone at the end of the novel can attest to that.
Wow! so much to say.. so let's see if I can remember it all...
Well, to start off I must admit that this was my least favorite of the three novels. (100 Years of Solitude being number 1 [yay!] and Things Fall Apart being number two [slightly quieter yay])
Although I was not all that fond of the novel I should, however, point out its positives. I definitely enjoyed Stevens' cold and reserved tone throughout the novel. No matter what was going on, he seemed to keep this cool demeanor at all times. I also enjoyed the ending. Like many of you have already mentioned, The Remains of the Day doesn't have this "lived happily ever after" wrapped up ending. Instead, it is realistic in the sense that sometimes life 'just is'. Instead of always looking back at the past, "You've got to enjoy yourself. The evening's the best part of the day. You've don't your day's work. Now you can put your feet up and enjoy it. That's how I look at it. Ask anybody, they'll all tell you. The evening is the best part of the day," (244). The way I see it, no matter how terrible your day may have been, what matters is what "Remains of the Day."
Another comment I wanted to make was that I totally agree with Mary in that this entire novel is an excellent example of the first chapter of How To Read Literature Like A Professor. Stevens not only takes a literal trip through England, but he also takes a journey. Stevens is the quester, the place to go is Miss Kenton's home, the reason to go is to see Miss Kenton, the challenges along the way are his car breaking down,getting lost, and just being stuck in the past, and finally the real reason for him traveling was to have his doubts answered or at least cleared up.
As many of you have already done, I also need to comment on the encounter between Miss Kenton and Stevens. It was clear that there was definitely some sort of tension between the two characters (old issues, old memories, attraction, regrets, etc.) When Stevens thought back and remembered Miss Kenton mentioning the marriage, I believe she did so not to make small talk but to bring up a response. I think deep down inside there must have been some sort of attraction between them (otherwise why would his actions and comments bother her and why would her image be such a prominent part of his memory?) Even thought it seems like they both wanted each other but never could say it, I doubt that relationship could have ever worked out. Don't ask me why, it's just a 6th sense I have.
Hey guys,
The novel ends pretty well, Stevens meets up with Miss Kenton again and finally ties up that very unhappy ending to the cocoa meetings and pretty much goes back to his work with a renewed effort in his bantering.
Even though it's a happy ending it is also very blan. I was expecting his story about his trip as an eye-opening adventure that will change him in so many ways. However, he continues to only think about work to the end the book. The story was mostly about him thinking about the past. Granted, he learned a few things about himself like his definition of "dignity".
I agree with Mary as well, this is the example of a quest story and it is a story about self-knowledge. However, there is a part of me that wishes that he gains more out of this experience outside of Darlington Hall. Like stated in "How to Read Literature Like a Professor," we usually follow the young in the story because they recieve the most in their experience compared the older character who probably take a smaller lesson.
Not to be repetitive or anything, but I also really liked this book as well. I loved the language that Ishiguro used throughout the story, and I must agree with Dario, that Stevens really is a character I connect with emotionally by the end of this novel.
Well it seems that many of you have mentioned the obvious love implications that exist(ed) between Miss Kenton (Mrs. Benn) and Stevens. An obvious observation is that Stevens frequently recalls Miss Kenton in most of his recollections, and to me it was pretty obvious that they may have had something going on, but what I find very symbolic is one of these "turning points" that Stevens mentions. When Miss Kenton manages to walk into Stevens' room as he is reading his "romance" she consistently urges him to let her see what he is reading. I found this as being very similar to their relationship. It seemed as though Miss Kenton was constantly trying to open up with Steven in some way, or give him the opportunity, and he would never take it, always being worried with his professionalism, which is one of his excuses for not showing her the book. And finally, when she does manage to see the book, he pushes her out completely, which is symbolic for the "turningpoint" I believe, where Stevens' "romantic" side is breifly seen by Miss Kenton, before he pushes her out once again. I also found it symbolic that he tried to have a very professional reason for the reading the book in the first place, to develop his command of the English language. Whether or not this is the original reason, I don't know, but I think it displays some sort of symbolism between Stevens' and Miss Kenton's love, and Stevens' attitude towards his profession. Not to mention I also found it ironic because Stevens says he never really took interest in love stories, yet what we are reading can be considered a love story, and he says it helped him develop a command for English, and if we don't see proper English throughout this book, I don't know where we will...
As for the ending, I really like Mary's mention of the symbolism with the rain, and I wouldn't have picked up on it unless you mentioned it. I think everyone made great points, especially about the man at the end and summarizing the title. I must say I agree with Dario's view of the title, just because I believe Stevens will return to be a butler and act simply on his employer's request.
The book was great and I didn't mind reading it at all maybe not one of my favorites, but definitely not on my hate list either.
This is is the end...
Well, it's fitting I should be listening to the doors as I write this, but the ending was depressing for me. Throughout the whole book Mr. Stevens is reminiscing about Ms. Kenton and her possible return to Darlington Hall. Most of the memories he looks back on relate to Ms.Kenton and it's easy to see that they did have hidden feelings for one another and like someone mentioned(can't remember the name) it was a "i love you but im gonna keep it hidden sort of thing" they both had for each other.
I also most definitely agree that the title becomes clearer in the end. 'The Remains of the Day' points out what Stevens has left at the end of his journey, his day; all of the good, the bad, and the ugly. I agree with others that said the author was trying to convey a message of lost opportunities and your chance to grab them before they slipped away. But, did anyone else notice that maybe Stevens was trying to make up for those lost opportunities? For instance, he is constantly referring to Miss Kenton and her possible return to the house. I see it as a last opportunity to try to be with Miss Kenton. When Miss Kenton gives Steven her daughters address, she seems very eager that Stevens sees her and even tells him that she has told her daughter about Stevens. To me, that seemed almost like a love lost kind of story she might have told her daughter about Stevens. But for some reason, it just gave me the impression that she might have spoken affectionately about Stevens to her daughter; a bit of a stretch I know. When Stevens asks her at the end whether she's being mistreated, it's a bit like a last chance he has to ever be with Miss Kenton. It's almost as if Stevens wants Miss Kenton to be unhappy, so she would come back to Darlington Hall and maybe even be with him. But unfortunately that isn't the case. Although my suspicions of hidden love were confirmed when Miss Kenton mentions that she wondered what her life would have been like with Stevens. That part especially made me a little depressed.
But...Stevens ends up taking this trip in hopes of reuniting Miss Kenton with Darlington Hall and that doesn't happen. He is left with the remains of the day, his losses, of his father and Ms. Kenton, his loyalty to his Lord and his doubts, and his future in this new world that he's trying to fit with. He goes on a journey of self-discovery as Foster writes in the first chapter of his novel, "How to Read Literature like a Professor". He discovers life isn't worth dwelling in the past and it's about time that he try some new things, little changes as they are like bantering. It is for the first time in the novel that I see him refer to wanting human warmth.
And so this is the end...my only friend the end...
The ending of this book was somewhat like the rest of it: dull. Yes, I do have some compassion for Stevens, however I think I expected to much from him on this journey.
Stevens is totally predictable when Miss. Kenton is basically begging him to give her a reason to not get married, all he can say is "indeed" (215). She says it two different ways that she is thinking it over and hasn't come to a desicion yet. After all the times he mentioned her, the letters, and how he wanted to make sure he contacted her on the trip, he does nothing but let her slip away. She tries to evoke some kind of emotion from him when she is yelling about leaving early and even then he is as polite as ever. I don't think Stevens even understood what her attempt was. She goes as far as to tell him that he has been an "important figure"(219), to her and her aquaintence and he merely brushes her off and goes hastily upstairs. OF course when he sees her again at the bus stop is when he really begins to regret it. And she kinds of gives it to him by saying that shes remembers that her "rightful place is with [her] husband", (239). This after she says how she sometimes thinks about how a life with him could have been. I was somewhat surprised that he even mentioned to that reader that his "heart was breaking", but once again kept it in and didn't relay the message to Mrs. Benn. I'll give Stevens the benefit of the doubt and say that the reason for this is for his own self pride and "dignity" so that she doesn't feel sorry for him. He strives for that perfection and he would never allow her to see him falter.
One event that i believe was a symbol or had some signifigance was the turning on of the pier lights. He mentions it more than once. I though it could have been a sign of a light bulb turning on in his head becasue he does seem like he came to a conclusion. That being you can't control the course of your life and there is no need to dwell on it. I wasn't sure if anyone caught that. I would be interested to hear someone else's point of view.
In the end however I beleive Stevens wanted to change and become a new man. He wanted to branch out and feel the "human warmth" he had lacked for so long.
Hey
I am so sad for stevens and proud of him at the same time it kills me that he could never look inside him self when the time came and see that Miss Kenton meant more to him than he had thought originally. And i think even he realized that he should have done things differently. Im proud of his decision to give up his profession and start a new life for himself. The Remains of the day was a sad story because he didnt get the girl like most books and movies the protagonist gets the girl but in the end i think stevens walked away with something more precious he left with his self worth, and with his life in his own hands and that was an amazing thing.
In the end, Stevens did not walk away with Ms. Kenton. He did not get a second chance at love. She had given him so many chances, and he turned away from all of them, and when he finally realizes what she means to him, it is too late, for she has stopped waiting. At the end of the novel, we see that it really has been a love story all along, which is ironic, since Stevens himself says he doesnt not understand why people read love stories. The meeting with the old man at the pier serves as a summary of his adventure, his quest, and sets him in the right mind to get back to what he does have left for him, being a butler.
This book really didn’t manage to make it even close to my top favorites. Perhaps it was the way Stevens talked, or perhaps it was because I couldn’t really relate to him.
As many have mentioned, the part when Miss Kenton’s aunt passes away brings an odd, yet almost expected reaction from Stevens. He forgets to try and comfort her, or say he is sorry about the death, or anything of the sort. When he does remember, he wants to tell her, but since she was in her room, he assumed she was crying and didn’t want to interrupt a private matter such as that. Most people want comfort from their tears and sadness. This was all so foreign to Stevens that he had no idea that to comfort her might help. It just goes to show one more example of how strange and caged his emotions are. Also probably why Miss Kenton left to meet other people. Who would want to stay with someone so stiff, someone who only knows how to interact by giving orders or commenting on cleaning? That’s hardly even interaction. Also I feel like Stevens clings on to doing his job as a way to cope with having no social skills and losing Miss Kenton.
I didn’t understand Stevens’ denial over having qualities of a gentleman. When Mr. Morgan asks what Stevens thinks a gentleman is, saying he must know because he is one, Stevens replied with “It is hardly for me to pronounce upon the qualities I may or may not possess.” (185) Does servanthood really run so deeply through him that he isn’t even allowed to think of himself as a gentleman?
The last part of the book, day 6, really was sad. Stevens finally let his emotions (sort of) show, when talking to the man, who told him to stop looking back. His reunion with Miss Kenton was a bittersweet one, as he never told her how he felt. But in the end, he at least has the hope that he can go back and surprise Mr. Faraday. Even with that hope though, the final tone is rather sad.
A big theme in this novel seems to be loss as all of the main characters lose a person very dear to them. This then ties into regret such as when Stevens breaks down wishing that he has handled the situation differently. The tone has seem to shift or even evolved from nostalgia into regret as the ending nears. Stevens' hubris leads to his downfall as he fails convinces Miss Kenton to return to darlington hall. Stevens perception of dignity seems to be inherited from his father. He seems to live from what he has observed by his father which then hinders him from having any room to grow and have a sense of identity.
While I found I enjoyed the book overall, I have to admit that it was quite slow on the uptake near the beginning. At times I found it outright boring, which in turn led me to start One Hundred Years of Solitude at one point. It took me a while to plow through that and get to the stuff that really caught my attention, but it was at a constant struggle to keep my attention, especially after I started One Hundred Years.
The most common theme in the book, besides that of journeys, is probably that of time and change. Steven’s weakness is that he is constantly staying, reminiscing in the past. His journey can be seen of traveling back in time, but in reality he’s discovering himself, how in a way he has messed up in the past, allowing the terms and the regulations of the pass rule him so completely that it affected his future so greatly. In fact, I think it definitely made him socially stunted, at the very least.
Referring to how Jenny hoped for Miss Kenton and Stevens to return together, I’ve learned from the past two books (One Hundred Years of Solitude, Things Fall Apart) to not expect the happy-go-lucky ending. I expected Stevens, so ingrained with the ideas of the past to this point, to be unlikely to change his views so suddenly. He has become so restricted and professional in his profession, that it has led him to be the same in his personal life as well. He realizes that “it is too late to turn back the clock” (239) and by doing so realizes what he has left, the “remains of the day” if you will. The positives, the negatives, and everything in between. Steven realizes that while it cannot be changed, he can use it to better his future days. As journeys typically end, Stevens has discovered himself for the better, and perhaps prepares himself for a new journey ahead.
Wow! I surprised myself with Miss Kenton. It turned out that Miss Kenton was the only person who had the ability to draw out emotion from Stevens the man who would not even crack after his own father's death. She has become another one of those past choices that he regrets making. Miss Kenton and Stevens could have been something, but looking back on it now he knows it is his fault they are not.
As Stevens completes his quest he obviously has grown as a person. He returns to this awkward situation with the bantering with his employer. He has learned that life does not have to be so serious perhaps. This journey was all about realizing that his job does not necessarily have to be his life and his identity. That is something we see now at the end of this book that he has truly regretted. He has learned to take things less seriously, to be more human.
This book was enjoyable because as a reader and someone who lives life in the same way as Stevens, I was able to see him grow. It was as if I traveled on the same journey as Stevens. I came to learn similar lessons as he during this adventure. Perhaps I have taken life too seriously, maybe I take working too seriously and like Stevens I shall take part in "bantering"
To Andy: I don't think Stevens's lesson was small at all. On the contrary, I think it was pretty big, learning to express emotions and opinions and be an individual. It was, though, a lesson he should have learned long ago.
One of the best moments for me while reading this book is when Stevens is on the pier and he starts crying. To me, his quest wasn't to get Miss Kenton. The prize at the end was self-knowledge. And he finnaly let go, let his emotions show. Throughout the book, we all got attached to Stevens, so I felt really happy for him in the end when water fell from his eyes. He finally loses the perfect butler personality, and although the real him is sad, it's still him.
The ending was a surprise to me. I really wanted Miss Kenton, or Mrs. Benn, and Stevens to become a couple. Like I stated previously, I thought that something happened between them that made Stevens shameful and made her leave. I see the ending as ironic because Stevens even cries in the end. Of course he is not the happiest person; he feels that his past was lost, but he does appear to take it well. After he finishes crying, he states that he will do something different for a change and make new friends and will have “bantering” more often. Though he does regret his past, he somehow find comfort in knowing that he has a second chance (which is the complete opposite of the book “One Hundred Years of Solitude”) with the new American owner.
I would have liked Stevens to go through a complete new identity change, but he still remains the stiff, awkward butler he started out as. The only difference is that he has learned to move on and try new things.
That was a good ending; filled with bittersweet-ness! A pretty decent book I must say!
Mr. Stevens realizes that his “heart was breaking” (239) (emotion, YES!!) and soon Miss Kenton’s “eyes had filled with tears” (240). If only they realized sooner… The way I see this novel is a tragic love story, like Romeo and Juliet (When in doubt it’s from Shakespeare!! lol). Except that what’s keeping these two lovers apart is not death, but their past mistakes. Mr. Stevens regret of being too caught up in his work and putting his trust in someone who had the ultimate mistake has put him in a state of shame and regret. Miss Kenton wanted revenge on Stevens for not showing emotions to her when necessary, so she gets married. However, she lives unhappily because she knows she was meant to be with Stevens. No matter how hard they try and no matter how much they deny it, they will never be fully happy unless it is with each other.
I loved the part where Stevens is sitting on the bench with the “cheerful fellow” and he just pours out his heart to this stranger. Stevens finally lets go of his burden: “Since my new employer Mr. Farraday arrived, I’ve tried very hard, very hard indeed, to provide the sort of service I would like him to have. I’ve tried and tried, but whatever I do I find I am far from reaching the standards I once set myself. More and more errors are appearing in my work… Goodness knows, I’ve tried and tried, but it’s no use. I’ve given what I had to give. I gave it all to Lord Darlington.” (243) And this is when he relieves his “secret.” He regrets having spent so much energy and time and giving his all to this man, who didn’t even care for him enough, and putting his trust in this man to only have it thrown away and forgotten. Stevens regrets not living his life the way he would like. He always waited on everyone else, but forgot about himself. Actually, the way I see it, he doesn’t even have an identity; he relies on the power of Lord Darlington to give him a name.
Another line I loved was, “I should cease looking back so much, that I should adopt a more positive outlook and try to make the best of what remains of my day. After all, what can we ever gain in forever looking back and blaming ourselves if our lives have not turned out quite as we might have wished? The hard reality is, surely, that for the likes of you and I, there is little choice other than to leave our fate in the hands of those great gentlemen at the hub of this world who employ our services.” (244) Stevens knows what he must do to at least enjoy the remains of his days (learn to talk more, laugh more, have a good time). This passage shows once again the feeling of regret (which he is no longer ashamed of showing); he didn’t take control of his life, but let others dominate it. It also shows that even though Stevens is forever changed by the fact that he gave his all to Lord Darlington, he is dependent on being a butler and therefore cannot take a totally drastic move to change his life; but he does take little steps to improve it.
Speaking of improving… there was rain!! I was very excited that I got to interrupt the rain, and I choose to write my essay on it!
That’s all for now!
Oh.. I'm happy I read this book... =)
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