I’m actually going to keep my post concise this time. I promise.
Reflecting on the book from a general stand point, I really do think that the man at the end was correct in noting how Stevens became so focused on the past that he lost sight of the present and the future. However, I think that because the book was mostly told through anecdotes, we see Stevens not as himself, but through Miss Kenton and Darlington. Kenton represents the potential for real, human interaction, while Darlington represents submission to his career. Up until the present, Stevens has only lived to serve, as can be seen on page 243 when he tragically confesses, “I can’t even say I made my own mistakes. Really – one has to ask oneself – what dignity is there in that?”
People looking at the novel from a purely plot perspective may be disappointed. After all, Stevens didn’t exactly have a startling revelation and he never ended up with Miss Kenton. Nonetheless, it is more of a comparison of the values of past generations and how they adapt to, or resist, the changes that new times bring. Stevens is old. He doesn’t have time to learn a new profession or create a new life. All that he has left is being a butler at Darlington Hall. But, and this is what I believe the ending scene is mostly about, it is always worthwhile to try to change or improve how you can, when you can; to make the best of what remains of your day, so to speak.
Overall, I found it to be a tragic, but compelling book. Perhaps this is because I am not seeing things from the perspective of a professional butler. But I don’t think I’m supposed to. I think one of the points of the book is to juxtapose our own beliefs about the value of human compassion and interaction with those of a fading generation of butlers. In that, the book did quite well.
I think that Stevens did transform at the end of the book, but it wasn't a drastic change, so to speak.Although on page 168 he "did not mind confessing today- and I see nothing to be ashamed of in this- that I did at times gain a sort of incidental enjoyment from these stories". Stevens admits that he likes romantic stories after he was caught by Miss Kenton, but he was still making excuses calling it "incidental". Stevens still has to work on becoming this new more understanding person because on page 178, instead of paying her condolences, he reiterated about the new recruits, and how Miss Kenton was taking care of the job. Stevens has problems showing any types of emotion, all he knows how to do is be a butler, he needs to get in touch with his humane side. Although the previous statement is true, Stevens reluctantly spoke of his feelings when speaking of his and Miss Kenton's relationship. I believe the phrase was "There was nothing to indicate at the time that such evidently small incidents would render whole dreams forever irredeemable" (pg 179). He was speaking of a possible relationship he might have with Miss Kenton, which means that he must have cared at one point in his career about her even if he didn't show it. I didn't dislike Stevens' character in the beginning of the book, but i did start to dislike him when he was lying to the local people of Moscombe about who he was. O thought he was a hypocrite because the way he acted contradicted his beliefs, he wasn't at all professional and he didn't take pride in his possession. It was a positive thing though at the end of the book on pg 45 how he doesn't think "it's such a foolish thing to indulge in-particularly if it is the case that in bantering lies the key to human warmth". He showed some progress ti a more humane side.
After reading this book from a plot perspective, I have to admit that I was somewhat disappointed in the ending. I felt as though Stevens hadn’t grown at all as a character. In that sense, I mean that Stevens did not change his priorities in regards to his job. In the beginning, it seemed as Stevens viewed his job as his reason to live. In the end, after all he experienced, Stevens’ last thought was returning to work the next day. I was very shocked to see that there was no improvement in Stevens’ view of things other than his work. Taking into consideration that Stevens’ primary focus in the beginning was becoming a “great” butler, I assumed that his frame of mind would change in the end. I was obviously wrong about that.
One way I do think that Stevens changed was emotionally. I think that Miss Kenton’s and Stevens’ relationship changed over the years they were separated. Previously, Miss Kenton and Stevens were primarily on a professional basis. There also seemed tension between the two when they worked together. In the beginning, Stevens showed no interest or care for Miss Kenton’s thoughts, and even rejected her pleasant offering of flowers to brighten up his room. Stevens was in a sense hesitant of showing affection or emotion. I think this drastically changed at the end of the book because of the care and affection he shows Miss Kenton when she starts crying, and thinking about how different her life could have been. This clearly taps into Stevens’ emotional side, and creates a huge contrast in how he portrayed his emotions in the beginning. What I think made the scene so dramatic and important was the rain that followed Stevens’ and Miss Kenton’s meeting each other. I felt it was very dramatic, taking into consideration every other day was very nice that Stevens traveled, with the exception of the day he had to meet with Miss Kenton. I think this dramatic ending contributes to the point where Stevens actually changes emotionally towards Miss Kenton.
Unfortunately everyone, we aren’t just reading this book from a plot, or leisurely perspective. I agree though, I was half-expecting, well, that something would happen by the end of the book. Sadly mistaken that Stevens and Miss Kenton did not hook up, I was hard-pressed to go back and check to see if somewhere in their formal-British bantering if there was ever any semblance of romantic interest. I totally think there was, and that is part of the realization Stevens comes to by the end of the story: that his life has been completely devoid of most natural forms of human connection (with the exception of what he read about in those love stories which he read “strictly for the writing”).
Yes there is plenty of noticeable awkwardness in the conversations between Stevens and Miss Kenton, and I am almost certain that this level of competition and sarcastic tone between the two of them is at the very least implicitly romantically inclined. They do what little kids do (probably due to their social inexperience) they go out of their way to tease one another to show their affection rather than show off like the grownups do! In their atmosphere of frustration, there is quite obviously some level of attraction, otherwise the reader wouldn’t have gotten so disappointed that they didn’t end up hooking up by the end of the story.
When Miss Kenton tells Stevens that she accepted the marriage proposal from Mr. Benn, she no doubt thought that he would be a bit more upset that she did so. Years later when they meet, she alludes to something, namely “a life I may have had with you, Mr. Stevens.” In such an ambience of great regret, I don’t doubt that the reader is entitled to take that sentence literally: she actually regrets not staying there with him and forging some sort of a relationship.
In regard to Stevens “changing” I really think the whole point of the “change” is the irony that he’s too old for it. The other old man who he speaks with tells him that the whole point of life is not to dwell on the past (which he’s been doing the whole book, ranting about dignity and its absence in this “new generation”) and instead look to the future. Of course, it’s a little bit too late for that for our good man Stevens, and that’s why the end of the book is so sad. He’s sitting alone on a bench watching how easily people interact, and realizes that that’s what humanity’s all about. Beyond “dignity” and “pride in one’s profession” he was sorely lacking the human interaction component in his life, and it is starting to dawn on him that perhaps his life could have included a bit more meaning. In short, Stevens doesn’t get to change, but the author is letting us know that (depending on how old we are) that we may still have the time to do so. If we are an older reader, it makes us reflect on our life and measure it to see if we think we’ve lived satisfactorily.
Man, that ending was awfully anticlimactic! I envisioned Stevens as the knight in shining armor that would valiantly rescue Kenton from her miserable life and carry her off on his able stead into the sunset. Although many of us will disagree on how the novel should have in fact ended, we can all agree that throughout Ms. Kenton and Stevens stay at Darlington Hall they did in fact establish a strong, healthy, and loving relationship. I think the way that Stevens descriptions of their relationship often deters the audience from its tenderness and coats it with professionalism that makes you question Stevens ethos. For examples when she begins going out on dates he begins to notice changes in her attitude, particularly the attention she began to receive from her dates in the form of letters. As readers we begin to think if Stevens is in fact jealous, however, as usual he claims that he is indifferent and that it was “impossible not to have noticed” because previously she would receive little mail. Surprisingly, when Stevens complies with Kenton’s request to leave her post in Darlington hall he describes himself as being composed and passive. However, Kenton offers us a different perspective, as she reprimands him for “creating so much commotion in the kitchen and stamping back and forth” outside of her room. Through her, we realize that he was in fact angry with her for leaving him. Because he omits so many details, it makes the audience reconsider earlier situations between the two, particularly the late night cocoa and conversations that were “strictly professional.” Ultimately it was Stevens who drove Kenton out of Darlington Hall. He deeply cared for her, however he wasn’t able to capitalize. There were some instances when she threw herself at him! At one point she praises him on his extraordinary butlery and asks him what he wants more in life; this was where he was supposed to be like “Kenton baby, all I want is you.” However, he drones on about his need to fulfill Lord Darlington’s needs. It was after this point, and several others that spurred her leave, when their “conversation rapidly lost the rather personal tone it had begun to adopt.”
I the events at Mr. and Ms. Taylor’s inn were pretty funny. Everyone was frantically trying to sneak a word in with Stevens, and inquired about his meetings with high profile figures. He seemed alien. Even Carlisle, a highly educated doctor who would have most likely met someone like Stevens, is in awe of him. The conversation regarding dignity with Harry frustrated Stevens as it contradicted his belief of the word. Harry claimed dignity means being to able to “express your opinion freely,” and “you can’t have dignity if you’re a slave.” Harry’s speech struck a cord because it resulted in another memory from Stevens to falsify Harry beliefs. At that inn Stevens and life made a head-on collision. It is clear that the world has changed, and his beliefs and lifestyle are far behind; and what he has yet to realize (but does during the closing pages) is that he can’t live in the memories of the past and allow them to justify his decision because they offer a completely different and vintage context. Fortunately, for Stevens he does began to realize that the honor and dignity of the past is in fact long gone and forgotten. This is mirrored through Lord Darlington. Darlington fall from glory is Stevens’s way of finding his way into the new world. This is evidenced through the conversation with Lord Cardinal trying to convince Stevens that “today’s world is too foul a place for fine and noble instincts,” and in reference to Germans and Darlington, “they have manipulated something fine and noble.” Although, Stevens was unaware of this during that particular moment as he still aimed to follow Darlington till the end of the earths, he now has reached this realization. Additionally, He carries this mentality during his final encounter with Kenton. He innately believed that she would go back to live with him just like old times. However, she is content with her lifestyle. His meeting with her gave him closure, and signified his new ideology about openly accepting change and moving forward. As the novel closes, he excitedly looks forward to trying harder to improve his bantering in order to impress Mr. Farraday. Ultimately, Stevens completes a road of self-discovery that led him to adopting “a more positive outlook and try to make the best of what remains of [his] day.” Because, like Stevens now readily accepts, there isn’t any point in dwelling in the past because unfortunately we aren’t able to make any changes.
I’m quite surprised at the ending. I was also thinking there might be more said about what happened afterward. Nevertheless, I felt that the author showed us his intention of portraying Stevens’ “life”. Like what everybody said already, Stevens finally saw the light in the tunnel. At the end of the book, Stevens realizes his past shouldn’t be his deferment toward his future. He understands that at his old age any radical changes in life is mere impossible. However, as David mentioned, Stevens still has time to live life satisfactorily. Stevens still has hope for himself, and that is why he’s continuing to practice on bantering. From watching the youngsters in the park, Stevens can sense the human warmth within those people. Thus, he realizes that bantering isn’t foolish, but is to create happiness. (Stevens is definitely going to surprise Mr. Farraday)
Speaking of impressing his master, I was taken back by Stevens’ sudden openness to a complete stranger. Surprises, surprises! Throughout the whole book, I don’t think Stevens had ever been so civic. He was always putting personal matters aside; work always came first. Yet, a stranger was able offer some advice to Stevens that was very useful and meaningful. From Stevens’ opinions about the stranger’s advice, we learn that the past is the past. We may look back however we like, but it’s not worth awhile to worry about past things we did wrong. Why waste so much time thinking about the past when there’s still the present and the future? Unfortunately for Stevens, he did the exact thing. Sometimes the past is nice to look back and remember mistakes we made. However, even though memories can be good or bad, we must always remember to move on. Only now does Stevens finally realizes this “move on” in life (even if it’s already too late). Although Stevens can’t change his past, I think he’ll still be okay for the rest of his life because he’s a happy man now.
Miss Kenton and Stevens’ meeting was another surprise, to say the least. The meeting was spoken of the “past” (two days before the actual meeting happened) instead of the present. I find it odd how the author makes Stevens’ journey to find Miss Kenton in the present and the destination in the past. Yet, I think that the author did this on purpose. The ongoing trip was to demonstrate Stevens’ newly transformation of himself. The meeting with Miss Kenton wouldn’t have change anything in Stevens’ life since a fresh romantic relationship between these two people would never occur. That’s probably why the meeting was told in the past because Miss Kenton would forever be the past of Stevens’. Even so, I like this book. Stevens may not produce any “drastic” changes, but he’s a bit different man than before the beginning of the story.
I finally finished reading the book. One part that stands out to me was when Mr. Stevens told Ms. Kenton that she has to let go off her Jewish maids. That was a very devastating part of the book. I really didn’t like that part at all, because first of all they only fired them because of their race. I Agree when Ms.Kenton said “Why, why, why do you always have to pretend?” whatever Mr.Darligton says , he just do it with no question. Another thing that’s stands out to me is Ms.Kenton and Mr. Stevens relationship. They both have feelings for each other, but they won’t admit especially Mr. Stevens.
There’s something that Sandy said, I kind of agree and disagree. It’s about when Stevens went to little village called Moscombe . First of all those people assumed things about him, they start throwing things out there, he didn’t have much time to think. But he should have come out with the truth that he was a butler. This shows that he doesn’t have a pride of being a butler. Well at least he didn’t lied to Dr.Carlisle when he ask “But you aren’t a manservant of some sort, are you?” He responded “I ‘am indeed, sir.”
Well the big question is did Stevens change? I would go with what sandy said ,like he did change but it wasn’t drastic change. On page 239 “For instance, I get to thinking about a life I may had with you, Mr. Stevens.”When Miss. Kenton said that he didn’t even know what to do, but he did admit That his Heart was breaking. But some reason I Think that he should have admit his feelings that he had for her, then that when he should of said “It is too late to turn back the clock. Indeed, I would not be able to rest if I though such ideas were to cause of unhappiness for you and your husband.”W hen he said that quote , I thought that was nice, and gentleman like of him to say such thing.
Upon finishing this book I found that it was a bit of a downer. The way it ended seemed to be left at a stand still. Stevens basically had the same one sided perception throughout the book. I feel as though he was unable to get himself to stand up for what he really wanted to stand up for. His constant passerby behavior made me think less of him in a way.
In response to Gaelle, Stevens needs to pretend in a sense because it is the only way he can cope with situations. Even though that may very well be his coping mechanism, that does not mean that I am in any way fond of it. If Stevens had been more open to his inner feelings than he could be living happily with Miss Kenton as his wife. The audience will never know what could have happened between the two characters. By the time Stevens figured that out his occupation wasn’t everything it was too late and there was absolutely nothing he or anyone else could do about it.
All in all, Stevens does not change drastically from when the audience begins the book. His breakdown with the man on the bench signal for change in Stevens life. It is unreasonable to think that his life will change drastically at that very moment.
When I reached the end of the novel, I felt very disappointed. As the previous posters mentioned, I thought Stevens would convince Miss Kenton to come back to Darlington Hall and they would reestablish their previous relationship. However, this was not the case, Stevens’s life in a sense wasted away. He “gave it all to Lord Darlington” and his service proved to be quite futile. All this time, Stevens believed that by serving Lord Darlington he was “[making] his own small contribution to the creation of a better world” p.116). However, Stevens realizes that Lord Darlington was “misguided” and all those years he served him blindly with no purpose. He is regretful at the fact that he never got the chance to “make [his] own mistakes”. Stevens was so preoccupied and devoted to becoming a “great butler” that he did not get to experience his life fully. It is truly tragic to see how Stevens’s life turned to be in the end. Now that he has realized his mistake he feels that there is nothing more “to give”. At this point, we see that this journey has led Stevens to the realization that he “should cease looking back so much, that [he] should adopt a more positive outlook and try to make the best of what remains of [his] day” (p.244). Throughout his life, Stevens was constantly looking back upon his past and wondering about what would have happened if one aspect of his life had changed. It was due to this reason, that he never really experienced his present and future. By the end, we see that Stevens has transformed. He adopts a different outlook towards life and learns that human interaction ultimately leads to happiness. Stevens now understands that the act of bantering is “not such a foolish thing to indulge in, particularly if it is the case that in bantering lies the key to human warmth” (p.245). The journey allows Stevens to come to the understanding that human interaction and relationships are necessary in life. Professionalism should not be applied to all aspects of life, since Stevens was constantly striving to become a “great butler”, he paid no attention to living his own life.
Another interesting topic that I wanted to comment on was the relationship that develops between Miss Kenton and Stevens. By the end, we see that Stevens truly had feelings for Miss Kenton, though he chose never to express them. For example, he questions her about whether she is “being ill-treated in some way” because it worries him. Stevens cares about her and wants her to be happy. Similarly, Miss Kenton expresses that she “[gets] to thinking about a life [she] may have had with [Stevens]” (p.239). Miss Kenton had always loved Stevens but chose to marry Mr. Benn because she never received any sign of love from him. I feel that in striving to obtain the title of a “great butler” Stevens not only wasted his life but also that of Miss Kenton. By choosing his profession over his relationship with Miss Kenton, Stevens destroyed both their lives. Both of them are now regretful of their decisions and wish that their lives could have been different.
Finally I would like to end by saying that I enjoyed reading The Remains of the Day more than Things Fall Apart. I agree with Keith that the book was very compelling and tragic. I had never expected that a story about a butler’s life would prove to be so saddening. Overall, I felt that the novel delivered a meaningful message about the importance of human relationships and compassion in a person’s life.
Okay, so my first thoughts of the book when I finished was that it was really sad, on both parts for Stevens' and Kenton's relationship, but also sad for Steven's life. As the reader, we get mad at Stevens for his lack of emotions but when he realizes himself that his life is nothing more than serving, it is depressing to see him break down. His whole breaking down thing is a little ironical as said from a previous poster that in the little down he passed by with the Taylors, another character's definition of dignity is exactly the opposite of his own. It states that there should be freedom and such. Stevens disagrees but in the end, his realization was that his term of dignity was not completely wrong, but not right either. He implies that he has no dignity after all that he has done because he cannot even say that he made a decision for himself. To think about it, even this trip, he was introduced and pushed by Mr. Farraday before he made the excuse to go.
Overall, I found the book very interesting and to be quite honest, I really liked it, and the ending didn't bother me or seem "anticlimactic" at all as some said before. I feel that the climax is not the relationship he has with Kenton, though it does play a part, but his own realization of life and regrets. He now knows to look to the future and not cling on the past. All in all, it was an enjoyable read, and went by much faster than I expected.
I agree with Belinda I actually liked the ending as well. Sure Stevens didn’t get the girl, but that would have been predictable and boring. Instead, finding out that Miss Stevens often felt her marriage was a big mistake seemed more interesting. Finding out that the reason she got married in the first place was mainly to annoy Stevens was even more fascinating. Had Stevens interfered at any point in his flashbacks and revealed his emotions, they probably would be together. However, I thought one of the themes of this book was regret, and there is no greater feeling of regret than what Miss Kenton might have felt. I also liked that Miss Kenton is always mentioned in the story during flashbacks, even their final meeting was presented as a flashback. This was probably a way to show that Miss Kenton was only part of Stevens’ past and that he now needs to worry himself about enjoying himself in the future.
So if part of the book is about regret, another part should be about dealing with it. That is what I know think Stevens’ flashbacks were all about. He was dealing with the regret he felt about losing Miss Kenton. It turns out that he was only making himself more anxious by dwelling in the past, and the 60 year old in the final pages gives us a solution: worry about the future. Of course I’m over-simplifying this.
However, the man who held a conversation really put everything into perspective for me, though. He put it quite frankly to Stevens that even though he is a geezer, times change and the best you can do is relax and focus on what is front of you. Stevens was the kind of guy who loved to look back on things and dwell on all those good old memories. That final conversation really showed Stevens that he has to enjoy the evening, which is quite literally the remains of the day (or in Stevens' case, the remainder of his life).
After reading How to Read Literature Like a Professor , this whole journey that Stevens took is the typical "quest" that a character completes. There was an initial motive (recruit Miss Kenton), troubles along the way (more like troubles he recalled in his memories, along with the actual present time troubles, like his car dying and what not), and a final reason why the quest was successful, which was different from the initial motive (Stevens gets that whole enlightening experience from the stranger, and does not recruit Kenton).
Stevens learned to adapt a little more to the changing times, and although he still is willing to devote his life to servitude, the quest gave him the knowledge that he needed to understand what was going on outside the walls of Darlington Hall and how different the two worlds can be.
i did find it quite ironic that the whole journey Stevens nderwent to find Stevens and reclaim the past ended up being the experience of a lifetime for him, and that he now has the ability to focus on the future.
The end of this book was really sad. Like I had said in my first blog, my initial judgement of this book was that it was simply a tale of an Egnlish butler, but that definitely changed after I finished it. I kind of got angry with myself for both of these books, The Remains of the Day and also Things Fall Apart. My judgements get in the way of how I could really view the books. I can't change that that's how I felt, but I was at least hoping for something happier to come out of Stevens' meeting with Misss Kenton. I felt like while I was reading the book that the ending would be that he finally did something somewhat for himself and he would gain a positive reaction. However, that was not the case, and I was disappointed, but looking beyond that I understand why things didn't work out for Stevens. He wouldn't have even gone to see Miss Kenton had it not been for her letter. She was the one who had to make the first move again. I do like page 243 to 244 though, when Stevens has a conversation with a retired butler. I think it's this conversation that wraps the book up all together. He says, "All right, so neither of us are exactly in our first flush of youth, but you've got to keep looking forward. You've got to enjoy youself." Although I wish this could have been said to Stevens earlier, I guess it's better late than never. Stevens wasn't really able to speak his true feelings to Miss Kenton, but in the end he was able to sit back and just watch the pier's lights go on. I think in the end though Stevens was able to see a bit of a bigger picture out of life.
I really liked the ending. I mean it wasn't dramatic, but it was pretty clear where the story was going as it went on. There were instances when Stevens said he couldn't pick out any particular passage in Mrs. Kenton's letter where it implied that she wished to return to Darlington Hall. Stevens seemed altogether too wishful. Like already assuming she would come with him without investigating the situation further. I expected there to be some change at the end, but I expected to hunt for it. Meaning is usually buried under layers of literature. It was a plesant surprise to find analysis and reflection clearly stated.
It seems to me that Mrs. Kenton and Stevens have more than a professional relationship. That book scene in particular seemed...risque. He's trying his hardest to protect his book, but she keeps hunting after him, insisting that she know what's in it. I took it as Mrs. Kenton looking for a deeper relationship with Stevens. Stevens tries to stay away, saying she is "invading [his] private moments". When Mrs. Kenton finally wrenches the book from his grasp, all he has to offer is a "sentimental love story".
I'm okay with Stevens' reaction to the two maids. Be professional about it. It's not like anything would have changed had he acted otherwise. And at least he did a follow up and made sure they "receive good references". Letting your emotions rule is just not a good idea.
Stevens is ending up just like his father. His episode with the fork in particular seemed very similar. But while his father had the knowledge that his son will pass on his legacy of great butlery, Stevens doesn't have that luxury. He will die alone.
Wow, what a sad ending. I thought it would end with Miss Kenton returning to Darlington Hall, or something drastic that would change Stevens’s life, but neither happened.
I agree with Helen that the author deliberately set the meeting between Stevens and Miss Kenton in the past because there’s no way neither of them could hope for a new relationship. So many years have passed, they have their own individual life, there’s no going back. Stevens have to accept the fact that Miss Kenton is in his “past” not in his future. It was so sad when Stevens broke down emotionally when he realized all the opportunities, that all the things they could have had is now gone. When he first saw her he noticed that she was “slower” that “the spark which had once made her such a lively [person]” p. 233 was now gone. Leaving Darlington Hall and marrying was just an action that she took to spike Stevens, she never thought of it as “truly leaving” it was simply something to annoy him. However when she finally realized the extent of her action, it was too late, she was married. When Miss Kenton tells him that often times she would imagine what her “life could of turn out” if she stayed at Darlington Hall and stayed with him. It was then that we see the breakdown of Stevens that he experienced “sorrow with him.” Throughout the book Steven never admits any emotions he harbors, not during his father’s death, not when Miss Kenton left. Finally, now after so many years, he’s admitting that he feels sorrow within himself, and to us readers. They both demonstrate their regrets with themselves, and with their lives.
Like so many of you pointed out, this is not a fairy- tale love story (which I had hoped) but rather, it’s about the losses and regret that one has in life. Stevens even though doesn’t get what he deserves, he came to the realization that he can’t keep on living the past, in the memories of Lord Darlington and Miss Kenton. They’re both a part of his past, dwelling on them wouldn’t make them come back, he have to learn to let go of them, and live in the present. In the end he realizes this after the conversation with the butler. He admits that Lord Darlington may not have been the perfect man that he thought he was, he admits that he has regrets in his life; he realizes that you can’t keep on living in the past. With all that revelation, what can more can you ask for? For me, I like the ending.
I agree with what previous bloggers have said. The ending was pretty sad. I was expecting something spectacular to happen, but nothing happened at all. When they were talking, I’m pretty sure I saw some type of flirting in there. Which is why it’s so sad, to see how they’ve made a mess out of their lives. Like how Miss Kenton is always leaving her husband because she’s not really happy. Stevens spent his whole life dedicated to his employer, and never really had any romantic relationship with anyone.
I guess that it’s telling us that at the remain of the day, we shouldn’t be living in the past, or staying focused on our previous mistakes. I think that they could have had some sort of a relationship, if Stevens had protested when she said she was leaving. They both could have had a better life. I think the whole point of this trip was for change. But I do agree with David, that it’s probably too late for him to change. He already missed his chance with Miss Kenton, and he’s too old now. So…
Overall I think this book, was enjoyable but difficult only because it doesn't give the reader what we want. And that would be some sort of finish that involves him and Miss Kenton. I feel as though there was a change in Stevens, I feel as though there is a more human element to him at the end. He realizes that his past shouldn't shape him or his future. However I do still feel as though Steven's is still trying to be the type of butler he thinks his father was. I thought that at least this would be the part that would change about him but apparently it did not. Also I feel as though Stevens is still to afraid to take a chance. I feel as though him and Miss Kenton are holding back something but are too afraid to tell the truth about their feelings. I wish this book would have ended differently but I did like that it didn't turn out the way we all expected it too.
Like many others, I was disappointed with the ending of the book. I think this mostly has to do with the fact that I was hoping the Stevens and Miss Kenton would in the end be romantic, call me a hopeless romantic, but I think it would have been the perfect end to the book. Looking back on it, I don’t believe the story should have a climatic ending, it wasn’t suppose to be climatic, but instead was full of subtleties, just like how a butler should be in Steven’s point of view. It was the right ending for the book, even if I don’t agree or like the way it ended.
Considering the changes made in Stevens, though it was not drastic as many have pointed out, it was befitting of him. Stevens never does anything fast and that has been evident throughout the entire book, he does everything with a purpose and thinks out each aspect. The very end of the book reminded me of a Secondhand Serenade song (for those who won’t get this reference I am sorry). I could hear the song Awake play in the background as the last scene of Stevens on the pier took place. At the end Stevens, after reflecting long and hard, showed the beginnings of change, which was evident in his changed attitudes towards bantering.
The dynamic between Kenton and Stevens still seems to be the best part of the book for me. The struggle she went through in order to find out if he had any feelings towards her was subtle, but the most interesting part of the book. Her attempts to win him over, such as the final encounter with the flowers and the hopes she had about Stevens stopping her marriage made me feel bad for her.
I did not exactly like the book, but I did not hate it.
Steven's revelation was slow in coming but he had it. I was starting to get worried that he wouldn't. Mrs. Keeton said she was leaving Darlington Hall just to "annoy" Stevens; it seemed like she did it more to make him jealous. She spent so many years trying to get a reaction out and Stevens spent all these years oblivious to it. I makes me wonder what if Mrs. Keeton and Stevens got together? Would they be retiring and having grand kids on the way? I'm glad it didn't end like that, and Stevens was left alone. It seems more fitting to have the story end on revelations and not happily ever after.
Stevens just keeps looking back and it's not until the end of the novel that he starts to actually look forward to life after Mr. Darlington. Not the worst book I’ve ever read. :) How old is he now?
In this novel I saw Ms Kenton as a representation of the opportunities lost. Lord Darlington would then represent the past and old ways of social hierarchy, Mr. Farraday is a new opportunity, the future as well as the ‘modern’ changes, and Stevens is the “ordinary” man. Stevens for all his life had accepted and promoted the old ways, we see how he was at such odds with the modern relationship between butler and employer through his preoccupation on bantering, and it was due to his acceptance that he was blinded to the possibilities that were in his power. The possibilities you would say that Ms Kenton represented. In the end I believe that Stevens did have a revelation, throughout the story he had held on to hope that things might go back to the way they used to be, with Ms. Kenton at his side. He hoped that there was still time to undue mistakes and it wasn’t until he realized that“one can’t be forever dwelling on what might have been”(p239), that he understood that he had to move forward. At the end of the book Stevens comes to decision to “look at this whole matter of bantering more enthusiastically”(245). Now, as I see Mr Farraday a symbol of new opportunity and future times, I see the idea of bantering as an extension of Mr Farraday himself. Bantering I came to understand was the modern and acceptable way of interaction, a key to “human warmth” that had previously not been acceptable due to the taboos of the social hierarchy. Stevens goes through self revelation and in the end, makes the conscious decision to move forward, and make the best of “the remains of the day”. The most saddening part of the book is not the tragic love story or even the opportunities lost, but rather the blindness that a man can have in consideration of his own worth. Stevens is happy in the end to move forward and to make changes to himself, but he is not doing it for his own benefit as much as for that of his employer. I don’t think that Stevens can actually come to the realization that he is equal to the gentleman he serves, because his perspective of such things is so small, that I sometimes think it doesn’t even exist. Like I said in my last post, he was raised for his position, so any view of equality were deterred, and since he was raised with past ideals he won’t ever truly see the opportunities he holds until they have passed him.
I feel sad for Stevens. If he wasn’t so into his profession he could have had a different life. But as he said “after all, what can we ever regain in forever looking back and blaming ourselves if our lives have not turned out quite as we might have wished” (244). I just wish he transformed not at the very end of the book. I think that moment definitely happened after Ms. Kenton tells him how she wished she had a life with him and he thinks “Indeed – why should I not admit it? At the moment my heart was broken” (239). I also want to point out it was raining, and they walked in the rain to sit on that bench, and as that book, How to Read Like a Professor, points out, weather is never just weather. The rain is why Stevens gave Ms. Kenton a ride and why he walked her to that bench to ask her that question. He realizes he had feelings for her when its too late and she’s back with her husband about to have a grandchild. I feel even worse for Ms. Kenton. If only she was straight forward in the beginning. Imagine how their future could have turned out together.
But even before Stevens meeting Ms. Kenton when I feel like he knew there was something between them when Ms. Kenton was standing close to him trying to take the book away and he felt “almost as though the two of [them] had been suddenly thrust on to come other plane of being altogether” (166). But he didn’t change yet and still had the idea of his profession as being his number one priority. He just, as Mr. Cardinal pointed out of his oblivious nature, “let things go on before [him]” just never thinking to “ look at it for what it is,” whatever the it in his life was (223).
I like that Stevens tired to keep a positive outlook on the choices he made in his life but still I wish this book didn’t end on such a realistic note. I wish Stevens and Ms. Kenton did end up together. But of course, they both had to be realistic, going back to the lives they chose. But fortunately Stevens does transform. First he transformed the very first time he explains that his heart was broken. This being pretty ironic since he seemed to have no heart to me. But I think another sign of his transformation was after that retired butler he sat with told him about being content at the end of the day and enjoying what you have left to enjoy at after your work is done because it’s around a healthy thing to do. After that, Stevens decided to just sit and watch the lights go on and see how happy people around him looked. Stevens even decides that joking around isn’t such a bad thing because it’s ultimately a way of being happy. I’d say he became human, genuinely wanting to be happy for himself and not just for his employer.
It’s good that Stevens at least decided not to spend the rest of his life feeling sorry for himself in order to shed light on his outcome. I think that’s a good example to take from Stevens at the end of the book. As for the story as a whole, as sad as I found the ending to be, and as annoying I found Stevens to be a times, I liked the story and the messages there was to take from it.
I didn’t mind the way the book ended too much. I wasn’t too hung up on the fact that Stevens didn’t win over Ms. Kenton. For some reason I was instead drawn to Stevens’s tendency to allow people to think he is of a higher social or political stature than he is. It is apparent that he carries himself very respectably, which is one thing, but he takes it to another level when he allows others to think of him as a somewhat global figure. I noticed such a contrast in Stevens’s confidence, when he was probed by one of his lord’s guests Stevens avoided even attempting to answer questions, but as a guest in the Taylor’s home he felt like he had to impress them. His dress portrayed him as the “likes” of his lords, but in actuality he was only the person that served them (proudly of course). I’m sure I touched base upon the idea of Stevens being proud to live off of others’ success, but it is becoming increasingly obvious that his comfort in doing so has prevented him for his entire life from living for himself. Stevens will likely continue to spend his life serving people, but he has learned an important lesson in regards to emotions and personality. By the end of the book Stevens realized that his work does not have to be entirely serious and emotionless. Stevens admits, “[bantering] is not such a foolish thing to indulge in…in [it] lies the key to human warmth”. Previously Stevens never even spoke of emotion, never mind speaking of “indulging” in it. In spite of the time Stevens may have “wasted” emotionless, he has vowed to work toward enjoying the “remains of the day” (his life) by bantering with his new lord. It took his father’s death, the loss of a dear friend/co-worker, and death of his employer for him to realize that his permanent seriousness did not at all affect the quality of his work. As long as his actions didn’t interfere with his work, Stevens appears to be willing to give it a try now that he understands the brevity of life. It is ultimately with this realization that Stevens returns to work with and Stevens is now truly ready for a transition in lordship.
This section begins rather ironically as Mr. Stevens, known for his lack of desire to share his own opinion on matters, runs into a village where the people there had fought for the right to express one’s opinion. There is an emphasis on the democracy of the era, a topic that was popular around the Lane dinner table that made Mr. Stevens uncomfortable. I think that the author intends for the narrator to feel out of place around the dinner table to indicate the clash in philosophy of a confined butler in the corridors of the Hall and the outside world. Many people like Mr. Smith take pride in public opinion. He even claims that this ability allows for an individual to obtain ‘dignity’. Then there are the ‘great butlers’ who disagree and erect walls between what they believe and how they express it. Their mastery in keeping their own opinions to themselves merely shows their passive roles in the house.
Referring to the idea that ‘great butlers’ possess passive roles in the house and the desire for the reader to perceive the narrator as one of these ‘great butlers’ comes the revelation of the tensions between Miss Kenton and himself. Initially, the story seemed to have described Mr. Stevens having had continuously rereading letters from Miss Kenton. The deed has been done so many times that it hinted a mysterious bond that was found between both parties. The very act of always rereading the same letter over and over again hints an obsessive nature of Mr. Stevens. Now it has been revealed that Miss Kenton had presented Mr. Stevens with the news of her possible departure from the house and of her marriage. The narrator’s unresponsive behavior to her news indicates the hurt he was feeling as he displayed his butler front. At one point he had chosen to be a butler than to be happy with Miss Kenton.
I am quite disappointed by the ending though. Mr. Stevens had come so far to meet with Miss Kenton and possibly rekindle their bond, only to recognize that she carries the name, Mrs. Benn, proudly. Her happiness with her family and her whole life in general comes as a surprise to Mr. Stevens, who had hoped to have her back at the Darlington and possibly be more than friends. However, these hopes of his are shattered and, although Mr. Stevens maintains his ‘dignity’ as a gentleman when meeting with Mrs. Benn, the focal point was the setting. There was a heavy downpour that was mentioned before their actual conversation took place. The rain itself foreshadowed disappointment and prepared a gloomy scene for the protagonist. Nearing the end of their conversation, the rain came to embody the tears which Mr. Stevens had either been holding back or is incapable of shedding. Alas, the sky had took on a reddish hue, a distinct color in the eyes after one has shed away their tears.
All in all, the very Mr. Stevens we see before us now is not the same as the one who served Lord Darlington 20 or so years ago. With more and more trivial errors showing in his work, the narrator has outgrown his desire to be a ‘great butler’—he doesn’t want to be alone anymore. That is the sole reason he set out to Compton, to find Miss Kenton.
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.
26 comments:
I’m actually going to keep my post concise this time. I promise.
Reflecting on the book from a general stand point, I really do think that the man at the end was correct in noting how Stevens became so focused on the past that he lost sight of the present and the future. However, I think that because the book was mostly told through anecdotes, we see Stevens not as himself, but through Miss Kenton and Darlington. Kenton represents the potential for real, human interaction, while Darlington represents submission to his career. Up until the present, Stevens has only lived to serve, as can be seen on page 243 when he tragically confesses, “I can’t even say I made my own mistakes. Really – one has to ask oneself – what dignity is there in that?”
People looking at the novel from a purely plot perspective may be disappointed. After all, Stevens didn’t exactly have a startling revelation and he never ended up with Miss Kenton. Nonetheless, it is more of a comparison of the values of past generations and how they adapt to, or resist, the changes that new times bring. Stevens is old. He doesn’t have time to learn a new profession or create a new life. All that he has left is being a butler at Darlington Hall. But, and this is what I believe the ending scene is mostly about, it is always worthwhile to try to change or improve how you can, when you can; to make the best of what remains of your day, so to speak.
Overall, I found it to be a tragic, but compelling book. Perhaps this is because I am not seeing things from the perspective of a professional butler. But I don’t think I’m supposed to. I think one of the points of the book is to juxtapose our own beliefs about the value of human compassion and interaction with those of a fading generation of butlers. In that, the book did quite well.
I think that Stevens did transform at the end of the book, but it wasn't a drastic change, so to speak.Although on page 168 he "did not mind confessing today- and I see nothing to be ashamed of in this- that I did at times gain a sort of incidental enjoyment from these stories". Stevens admits that he likes romantic stories after he was caught by Miss Kenton, but he was still making excuses calling it "incidental". Stevens still has to work on becoming this new more understanding person because on page 178, instead of paying her condolences, he reiterated about the new recruits, and how Miss Kenton was taking care of the job. Stevens has problems showing any types of emotion, all he knows how to do is be a butler, he needs to get in touch with his humane side.
Although the previous statement is true, Stevens reluctantly spoke of his feelings when speaking of his and Miss Kenton's relationship. I believe the phrase was "There was nothing to indicate at the time that such evidently small incidents would render whole dreams forever irredeemable" (pg 179). He was speaking of a possible relationship he might have with Miss Kenton, which means that he must have cared at one point in his career about her even if he didn't show it.
I didn't dislike Stevens' character in the beginning of the book, but i did start to dislike him when he was lying to the local people of Moscombe about who he was. O thought he was a hypocrite because the way he acted contradicted his beliefs, he wasn't at all professional and he didn't take pride in his possession. It was a positive thing though at the end of the book on pg 45 how he doesn't think "it's such a foolish thing to indulge in-particularly if it is the case that in bantering lies the key to human warmth". He showed some progress ti a more humane side.
After reading this book from a plot perspective, I have to admit that I was somewhat disappointed in the ending. I felt as though Stevens hadn’t grown at all as a character. In that sense, I mean that Stevens did not change his priorities in regards to his job. In the beginning, it seemed as Stevens viewed his job as his reason to live. In the end, after all he experienced, Stevens’ last thought was returning to work the next day. I was very shocked to see that there was no improvement in Stevens’ view of things other than his work. Taking into consideration that Stevens’ primary focus in the beginning was becoming a “great” butler, I assumed that his frame of mind would change in the end. I was obviously wrong about that.
One way I do think that Stevens changed was emotionally. I think that Miss Kenton’s and Stevens’ relationship changed over the years they were separated. Previously, Miss Kenton and Stevens were primarily on a professional basis. There also seemed tension between the two when they worked together. In the beginning, Stevens showed no interest or care for Miss Kenton’s thoughts, and even rejected her pleasant offering of flowers to brighten up his room. Stevens was in a sense hesitant of showing affection or emotion. I think this drastically changed at the end of the book because of the care and affection he shows Miss Kenton when she starts crying, and thinking about how different her life could have been. This clearly taps into Stevens’ emotional side, and creates a huge contrast in how he portrayed his emotions in the beginning. What I think made the scene so dramatic and important was the rain that followed Stevens’ and Miss Kenton’s meeting each other. I felt it was very dramatic, taking into consideration every other day was very nice that Stevens traveled, with the exception of the day he had to meet with Miss Kenton. I think this dramatic ending contributes to the point where Stevens actually changes emotionally towards Miss Kenton.
Unfortunately everyone, we aren’t just reading this book from a plot, or leisurely perspective. I agree though, I was half-expecting, well, that something would happen by the end of the book. Sadly mistaken that Stevens and Miss Kenton did not hook up, I was hard-pressed to go back and check to see if somewhere in their formal-British bantering if there was ever any semblance of romantic interest. I totally think there was, and that is part of the realization Stevens comes to by the end of the story: that his life has been completely devoid of most natural forms of human connection (with the exception of what he read about in those love stories which he read “strictly for the writing”).
Yes there is plenty of noticeable awkwardness in the conversations between Stevens and Miss Kenton, and I am almost certain that this level of competition and sarcastic tone between the two of them is at the very least implicitly romantically inclined. They do what little kids do (probably due to their social inexperience) they go out of their way to tease one another to show their affection rather than show off like the grownups do! In their atmosphere of frustration, there is quite obviously some level of attraction, otherwise the reader wouldn’t have gotten so disappointed that they didn’t end up hooking up by the end of the story.
When Miss Kenton tells Stevens that she accepted the marriage proposal from Mr. Benn, she no doubt thought that he would be a bit more upset that she did so. Years later when they meet, she alludes to something, namely “a life I may have had with you, Mr. Stevens.” In such an ambience of great regret, I don’t doubt that the reader is entitled to take that sentence literally: she actually regrets not staying there with him and forging some sort of a relationship.
In regard to Stevens “changing” I really think the whole point of the “change” is the irony that he’s too old for it. The other old man who he speaks with tells him that the whole point of life is not to dwell on the past (which he’s been doing the whole book, ranting about dignity and its absence in this “new generation”) and instead look to the future. Of course, it’s a little bit too late for that for our good man Stevens, and that’s why the end of the book is so sad. He’s sitting alone on a bench watching how easily people interact, and realizes that that’s what humanity’s all about. Beyond “dignity” and “pride in one’s profession” he was sorely lacking the human interaction component in his life, and it is starting to dawn on him that perhaps his life could have included a bit more meaning. In short, Stevens doesn’t get to change, but the author is letting us know that (depending on how old we are) that we may still have the time to do so. If we are an older reader, it makes us reflect on our life and measure it to see if we think we’ve lived satisfactorily.
Man, that ending was awfully anticlimactic! I envisioned Stevens as the knight in shining armor that would valiantly rescue Kenton from her miserable life and carry her off on his able stead into the sunset.
Although many of us will disagree on how the novel should have in fact ended, we can all agree that throughout Ms. Kenton and Stevens stay at Darlington Hall they did in fact establish a strong, healthy, and loving relationship. I think the way that Stevens descriptions of their relationship often deters the audience from its tenderness and coats it with professionalism that makes you question Stevens ethos.
For examples when she begins going out on dates he begins to notice changes in her attitude, particularly the attention she began to receive from her dates in the form of letters. As readers we begin to think if Stevens is in fact jealous, however, as usual he claims that he is indifferent and that it was “impossible not to have noticed” because previously she would receive little mail. Surprisingly, when Stevens complies with Kenton’s request to leave her post in Darlington hall he describes himself as being composed and passive. However, Kenton offers us a different perspective, as she reprimands him for “creating so much commotion in the kitchen and stamping back and forth” outside of her room. Through her, we realize that he was in fact angry with her for leaving him. Because he omits so many details, it makes the audience reconsider earlier situations between the two, particularly the late night cocoa and conversations that were “strictly professional.”
Ultimately it was Stevens who drove Kenton out of Darlington Hall. He deeply cared for her, however he wasn’t able to capitalize. There were some instances when she threw herself at him! At one point she praises him on his extraordinary butlery and asks him what he wants more in life; this was where he was supposed to be like “Kenton baby, all I want is you.” However, he drones on about his need to fulfill Lord Darlington’s needs. It was after this point, and several others that spurred her leave, when their “conversation rapidly lost the rather personal tone it had begun to adopt.”
(continued from top)
Now on to Stevens journey…
I the events at Mr. and Ms. Taylor’s inn were pretty funny. Everyone was frantically trying to sneak a word in with Stevens, and inquired about his meetings with high profile figures. He seemed alien. Even Carlisle, a highly educated doctor who would have most likely met someone like Stevens, is in awe of him.
The conversation regarding dignity with Harry frustrated Stevens as it contradicted his belief of the word. Harry claimed dignity means being to able to “express your opinion freely,” and “you can’t have dignity if you’re a slave.” Harry’s speech struck a cord because it resulted in another memory from Stevens to falsify Harry beliefs.
At that inn Stevens and life made a head-on collision. It is clear that the world has changed, and his beliefs and lifestyle are far behind; and what he has yet to realize (but does during the closing pages) is that he can’t live in the memories of the past and allow them to justify his decision because they offer a completely different and vintage context.
Fortunately, for Stevens he does began to realize that the honor and dignity of the past is in fact long gone and forgotten. This is mirrored through Lord Darlington. Darlington fall from glory is Stevens’s way of finding his way into the new world. This is evidenced through the conversation with Lord Cardinal trying to convince Stevens that “today’s world is too foul a place for fine and noble instincts,” and in reference to Germans and Darlington, “they have manipulated something fine and noble.” Although, Stevens was unaware of this during that particular moment as he still aimed to follow Darlington till the end of the earths, he now has reached this realization.
Additionally, He carries this mentality during his final encounter with Kenton. He innately believed that she would go back to live with him just like old times. However, she is content with her lifestyle. His meeting with her gave him closure, and signified his new ideology about openly accepting change and moving forward. As the novel closes, he excitedly looks forward to trying harder to improve his bantering in order to impress Mr. Farraday.
Ultimately, Stevens completes a road of self-discovery that led him to adopting “a more positive outlook and try to make the best of what remains of [his] day.” Because, like Stevens now readily accepts, there isn’t any point in dwelling in the past because unfortunately we aren’t able to make any changes.
I’m quite surprised at the ending. I was also thinking there might be more said about what happened afterward. Nevertheless, I felt that the author showed us his intention of portraying Stevens’ “life”. Like what everybody said already, Stevens finally saw the light in the tunnel. At the end of the book, Stevens realizes his past shouldn’t be his deferment toward his future. He understands that at his old age any radical changes in life is mere impossible. However, as David mentioned, Stevens still has time to live life satisfactorily. Stevens still has hope for himself, and that is why he’s continuing to practice on bantering. From watching the youngsters in the park, Stevens can sense the human warmth within those people. Thus, he realizes that bantering isn’t foolish, but is to create happiness. (Stevens is definitely going to surprise Mr. Farraday)
Speaking of impressing his master, I was taken back by Stevens’ sudden openness to a complete stranger. Surprises, surprises! Throughout the whole book, I don’t think Stevens had ever been so civic. He was always putting personal matters aside; work always came first. Yet, a stranger was able offer some advice to Stevens that was very useful and meaningful. From Stevens’ opinions about the stranger’s advice, we learn that the past is the past. We may look back however we like, but it’s not worth awhile to worry about past things we did wrong. Why waste so much time thinking about the past when there’s still the present and the future? Unfortunately for Stevens, he did the exact thing. Sometimes the past is nice to look back and remember mistakes we made. However, even though memories can be good or bad, we must always remember to move on. Only now does Stevens finally realizes this “move on” in life (even if it’s already too late). Although Stevens can’t change his past, I think he’ll still be okay for the rest of his life because he’s a happy man now.
Miss Kenton and Stevens’ meeting was another surprise, to say the least. The meeting was spoken of the “past” (two days before the actual meeting happened) instead of the present. I find it odd how the author makes Stevens’ journey to find Miss Kenton in the present and the destination in the past. Yet, I think that the author did this on purpose. The ongoing trip was to demonstrate Stevens’ newly transformation of himself. The meeting with Miss Kenton wouldn’t have change anything in Stevens’ life since a fresh romantic relationship between these two people would never occur. That’s probably why the meeting was told in the past because Miss Kenton would forever be the past of Stevens’. Even so, I like this book. Stevens may not produce any “drastic” changes, but he’s a bit different man than before the beginning of the story.
I finally finished reading the book. One part that stands out to me was when Mr. Stevens told Ms. Kenton that she has to let go off her Jewish maids. That was a very devastating part of the book. I really didn’t like that part at all, because first of all they only fired them because of their race. I Agree when Ms.Kenton said “Why, why, why do you always have to pretend?” whatever Mr.Darligton says , he just do it with no question. Another thing that’s stands out to me is Ms.Kenton and Mr. Stevens relationship. They both have feelings for each other, but they won’t admit especially Mr. Stevens.
There’s something that Sandy said, I kind of agree and disagree. It’s about when Stevens went to little village called Moscombe . First of all those people assumed things about him, they start throwing things out there, he didn’t have much time to think. But he should have come out with the truth that he was a butler. This shows that he doesn’t have a pride of being a butler. Well at least he didn’t lied to Dr.Carlisle when he ask “But you aren’t a manservant of some sort, are you?” He responded “I ‘am indeed, sir.”
Well the big question is did Stevens change? I would go with what sandy said ,like he did change but it wasn’t drastic change. On page 239 “For instance, I get to thinking about a life I may had with you, Mr. Stevens.”When Miss. Kenton said that he didn’t even know what to do, but he did admit That his Heart was breaking. But some reason I Think that he should have admit his feelings that he had for her, then that when he should of said “It is too late to turn back the clock. Indeed, I would not be able to rest if I though such ideas were to cause of unhappiness for you and your husband.”W hen he said that quote , I thought that was nice, and gentleman like of him to say such thing.
Upon finishing this book I found that it was a bit of a downer. The way it ended seemed to be left at a stand still. Stevens basically had the same one sided perception throughout the book. I feel as though he was unable to get himself to stand up for what he really wanted to stand up for. His constant passerby behavior made me think less of him in a way.
In response to Gaelle, Stevens needs to pretend in a sense because it is the only way he can cope with situations. Even though that may very well be his coping mechanism, that does not mean that I am in any way fond of it. If Stevens had been more open to his inner feelings than he could be living happily with Miss Kenton as his wife. The audience will never know what could have happened between the two characters. By the time Stevens figured that out his occupation wasn’t everything it was too late and there was absolutely nothing he or anyone else could do about it.
All in all, Stevens does not change drastically from when the audience begins the book. His breakdown with the man on the bench signal for change in Stevens life. It is unreasonable to think that his life will change drastically at that very moment.
When I reached the end of the novel, I felt very disappointed. As the previous posters mentioned, I thought Stevens would convince Miss Kenton to come back to Darlington Hall and they would reestablish their previous relationship. However, this was not the case, Stevens’s life in a sense wasted away. He “gave it all to Lord Darlington” and his service proved to be quite futile. All this time, Stevens believed that by serving Lord Darlington he was “[making] his own small contribution to the creation of a better world” p.116). However, Stevens realizes that Lord Darlington was “misguided” and all those years he served him blindly with no purpose. He is regretful at the fact that he never got the chance to “make [his] own mistakes”. Stevens was so preoccupied and devoted to becoming a “great butler” that he did not get to experience his life fully. It is truly tragic to see how Stevens’s life turned to be in the end. Now that he has realized his mistake he feels that there is nothing more “to give”. At this point, we see that this journey has led Stevens to the realization that he “should cease looking back so much, that [he] should adopt a more positive outlook and try to make the best of what remains of [his] day” (p.244). Throughout his life, Stevens was constantly looking back upon his past and wondering about what would have happened if one aspect of his life had changed. It was due to this reason, that he never really experienced his present and future. By the end, we see that Stevens has transformed. He adopts a different outlook towards life and learns that human interaction ultimately leads to happiness. Stevens now understands that the act of bantering is “not such a foolish thing to indulge in, particularly if it is the case that in bantering lies the key to human warmth” (p.245). The journey allows Stevens to come to the understanding that human interaction and relationships are necessary in life. Professionalism should not be applied to all aspects of life, since Stevens was constantly striving to become a “great butler”, he paid no attention to living his own life.
Another interesting topic that I wanted to comment on was the relationship that develops between Miss Kenton and Stevens. By the end, we see that Stevens truly had feelings for Miss Kenton, though he chose never to express them. For example, he questions her about whether she is “being ill-treated in some way” because it worries him. Stevens cares about her and wants her to be happy. Similarly, Miss Kenton expresses that she “[gets] to thinking about a life [she] may have had with [Stevens]” (p.239). Miss Kenton had always loved Stevens but chose to marry Mr. Benn because she never received any sign of love from him. I feel that in striving to obtain the title of a “great butler” Stevens not only wasted his life but also that of Miss Kenton. By choosing his profession over his relationship with Miss Kenton, Stevens destroyed both their lives. Both of them are now regretful of their decisions and wish that their lives could have been different.
Finally I would like to end by saying that I enjoyed reading The Remains of the Day more than Things Fall Apart. I agree with Keith that the book was very compelling and tragic. I had never expected that a story about a butler’s life would prove to be so saddening. Overall, I felt that the novel delivered a meaningful message about the importance of human relationships and compassion in a person’s life.
Okay, so my first thoughts of the book when I finished was that it was really sad, on both parts for Stevens' and Kenton's relationship, but also sad for Steven's life. As the reader, we get mad at Stevens for his lack of emotions but when he realizes himself that his life is nothing more than serving, it is depressing to see him break down. His whole breaking down thing is a little ironical as said from a previous poster that in the little down he passed by with the Taylors, another character's definition of dignity is exactly the opposite of his own. It states that there should be freedom and such. Stevens disagrees but in the end, his realization was that his term of dignity was not completely wrong, but not right either. He implies that he has no dignity after all that he has done because he cannot even say that he made a decision for himself. To think about it, even this trip, he was introduced and pushed by Mr. Farraday before he made the excuse to go.
Overall, I found the book very interesting and to be quite honest, I really liked it, and the ending didn't bother me or seem "anticlimactic" at all as some said before. I feel that the climax is not the relationship he has with Kenton, though it does play a part, but his own realization of life and regrets. He now knows to look to the future and not cling on the past. All in all, it was an enjoyable read, and went by much faster than I expected.
I agree with Belinda I actually liked the ending as well. Sure Stevens didn’t get the girl, but that would have been predictable and boring. Instead, finding out that Miss Stevens often felt her marriage was a big mistake seemed more interesting. Finding out that the reason she got married in the first place was mainly to annoy Stevens was even more fascinating. Had Stevens interfered at any point in his flashbacks and revealed his emotions, they probably would be together. However, I thought one of the themes of this book was regret, and there is no greater feeling of regret than what Miss Kenton might have felt. I also liked that Miss Kenton is always mentioned in the story during flashbacks, even their final meeting was presented as a flashback. This was probably a way to show that Miss Kenton was only part of Stevens’ past and that he now needs to worry himself about enjoying himself in the future.
So if part of the book is about regret, another part should be about dealing with it. That is what I know think Stevens’ flashbacks were all about. He was dealing with the regret he felt about losing Miss Kenton. It turns out that he was only making himself more anxious by dwelling in the past, and the 60 year old in the final pages gives us a solution: worry about the future. Of course I’m over-simplifying this.
Aw man, what a boring ending!
However, the man who held a conversation really put everything into perspective for me, though. He put it quite frankly to Stevens that even though he is a geezer, times change and the best you can do is relax and focus on what is front of you. Stevens was the kind of guy who loved to look back on things and dwell on all those good old memories. That final conversation really showed Stevens that he has to enjoy the evening, which is quite literally the remains of the day (or in Stevens' case, the remainder of his life).
After reading How to Read Literature Like a Professor , this whole journey that Stevens took is the typical "quest" that a character completes. There was an initial motive (recruit Miss Kenton), troubles along the way (more like troubles he recalled in his memories, along with the actual present time troubles, like his car dying and what not), and a final reason why the quest was successful, which was different from the initial motive (Stevens gets that whole enlightening experience from the stranger, and does not recruit Kenton).
Stevens learned to adapt a little more to the changing times, and although he still is willing to devote his life to servitude, the quest gave him the knowledge that he needed to understand what was going on outside the walls of Darlington Hall and how different the two worlds can be.
i did find it quite ironic that the whole journey Stevens nderwent to find Stevens and reclaim the past ended up being the experience of a lifetime for him, and that he now has the ability to focus on the future.
The end of this book was really sad. Like I had said in my first blog, my initial judgement of this book was that it was simply a tale of an Egnlish butler, but that definitely changed after I finished it.
I kind of got angry with myself for both of these books, The Remains of the Day and also Things Fall Apart. My judgements get in the way of how I could really view the books.
I can't change that that's how I felt, but I was at least hoping for something happier to come out of Stevens' meeting with Misss Kenton. I felt like while I was reading the book that the ending would be that he finally did something somewhat for himself and he would gain a positive reaction. However, that was not the case, and I was disappointed, but looking beyond that I understand why things didn't work out for Stevens. He wouldn't have even gone to see Miss Kenton had it not been for her letter. She was the one who had to make the first move again.
I do like page 243 to 244 though, when Stevens has a conversation with a retired butler. I think it's this conversation that wraps the book up all together. He says,
"All right, so neither of us are exactly in our first flush of youth, but you've got to keep looking forward. You've got to enjoy youself."
Although I wish this could have been said to Stevens earlier, I guess it's better late than never.
Stevens wasn't really able to speak his true feelings to Miss Kenton, but in the end he was able to sit back and just watch the pier's lights go on.
I think in the end though Stevens was able to see a bit of a bigger picture out of life.
I really liked the ending. I mean it wasn't dramatic, but it was pretty clear where the story was going as it went on. There were instances when Stevens said he couldn't pick out any particular passage in Mrs. Kenton's letter where it implied that she wished to return to Darlington Hall. Stevens seemed altogether too wishful. Like already assuming she would come with him without investigating the situation further. I expected there to be some change at the end, but I expected to hunt for it. Meaning is usually buried under layers of literature. It was a plesant surprise to find analysis and reflection clearly stated.
It seems to me that Mrs. Kenton and Stevens have more than a professional relationship. That book scene in particular seemed...risque. He's trying his hardest to protect his book, but she keeps hunting after him, insisting that she know what's in it. I took it as Mrs. Kenton looking for a deeper relationship with Stevens. Stevens tries to stay away, saying she is "invading [his] private moments". When Mrs. Kenton finally wrenches the book from his grasp, all he has to offer is a "sentimental love story".
I'm okay with Stevens' reaction to the two maids. Be professional about it. It's not like anything would have changed had he acted otherwise. And at least he did a follow up and made sure they "receive good references". Letting your emotions rule is just not a good idea.
Stevens is ending up just like his father. His episode with the fork in particular seemed very similar. But while his father had the knowledge that his son will pass on his legacy of great butlery, Stevens doesn't have that luxury. He will die alone.
Ayoub, your post made me laugh, so thank you.
Like previous posters, I was hoping for a “happily ever after” ending but that does not mean I dislike it. Like Belinda and Armir, I like the ending because I find it fitting for what the author is trying to say, or more precisely, what I got out of the book.
I have to disagree with what Sandy and Gaelle said about what occurred in the town of Moscombe. Mr. Stevens wasn’t trying to deceive the town people but one thing led to another so he couldn’t control what they thought of him. He did not purposely lie to them, making the people believe that he is someone else. He did not tell the villagers the truth because it would cause uneasiness, I don’t think that he’s ashamed of his job.
Back to the ending, I agree with Helen that the man that appears at the end was kind of a surprise. To me, he feels out of place, somewhat: he just appeared out and nowhere and then disappeared in a flash. This reminds me of what I read in “How to Read Literature Like a Professor,” that some authors forces the meaning on the reader, or make it so blatantly so that the reader can’t miss it. I think that’s what Ishiguro did with the man at the end. Like Amir said, he’s basically there to say “worry about the future.” Of course, this lead to me thinks of the line “live your life to the fullest.” Cliché? I know but that’s what I got from the book.
Yes, in some part, I believe that Stevens ‘remains of the day’ will be more pleasant, more bantering, more warmth. But to me, the book is more about the ‘remains of the day’ of the reader. Stevens is already old (I’m under the impression that he’s around Ms. Kenton’s age and she’s ready to have a grandchild and she had a child in her thirties too). Therefore, he doesn’t really have much left in his life. Even though Stevens realizes that his life was unfulfilling and there are many regrets, he is unable to make much difference now. As a previous post said, he doesn’t know how to do any other job, ‘butlering’ is all that he knows. The book shows us that we must not get so wrapped up in one thing so that we are unable to see another. It’s also about not pondering about what could have, would have, etc. and living for the moment and looking forward to the future. We, as readers, must live our live with happiness so that there are no regrets later on. Another factor that led me to this conclusion is the rain at the end. As many of you recall from Foster’s oh-so-wonderous book, “it’s not just rain or snow.” Yes, there was rain; but Stevens didn’t walk through it. He had to opportunity to, he was right next to it, but he didn’t actually get wet. It signifies his life, he could have lived happily with Miss Kenton, the option was so close to him, but he choose to ignore it. When you don’t get wet, you don’t get clean, you don’t get baptizes. Therefore, it lead me to a conclusion that yes, Stevens did change, but not by a lot. He realizes his mistakes but he’s still going back to his job.
It is up to us to live ‘the remains of [our] day’ with love, affection, hope for the future, and without regrets or looking back and dwelling of the ‘what ifs.”
Wow, what a sad ending. I thought it would end with Miss Kenton returning to Darlington Hall, or something drastic that would change Stevens’s life, but neither happened.
I agree with Helen that the author deliberately set the meeting between Stevens and Miss Kenton in the past because there’s no way neither of them could hope for a new relationship. So many years have passed, they have their own individual life, there’s no going back. Stevens have to accept the fact that Miss Kenton is in his “past” not in his future. It was so sad when Stevens broke down emotionally when he realized all the opportunities, that all the things they could have had is now gone. When he first saw her he noticed that she was “slower” that “the spark which had once made her such a lively [person]” p. 233 was now gone. Leaving Darlington Hall and marrying was just an action that she took to spike Stevens, she never thought of it as “truly leaving” it was simply something to annoy him. However when she finally realized the extent of her action, it was too late, she was married. When Miss Kenton tells him that often times she would imagine what her “life could of turn out” if she stayed at Darlington Hall and stayed with him. It was then that we see the breakdown of Stevens that he experienced “sorrow with him.” Throughout the book Steven never admits any emotions he harbors, not during his father’s death, not when Miss Kenton left. Finally, now after so many years, he’s admitting that he feels sorrow within himself, and to us readers. They both demonstrate their regrets with themselves, and with their lives.
Like so many of you pointed out, this is not a fairy- tale love story (which I had hoped) but rather, it’s about the losses and regret that one has in life. Stevens even though doesn’t get what he deserves, he came to the realization that he can’t keep on living the past, in the memories of Lord Darlington and Miss Kenton. They’re both a part of his past, dwelling on them wouldn’t make them come back, he have to learn to let go of them, and live in the present. In the end he realizes this after the conversation with the butler. He admits that Lord Darlington may not have been the perfect man that he thought he was, he admits that he has regrets in his life; he realizes that you can’t keep on living in the past. With all that revelation, what can more can you ask for? For me, I like the ending.
I agree with what previous bloggers have said. The ending was pretty sad. I was expecting something spectacular to happen, but nothing happened at all. When they were talking, I’m pretty sure I saw some type of flirting in there. Which is why it’s so sad, to see how they’ve made a mess out of their lives. Like how Miss Kenton is always leaving her husband because she’s not really happy. Stevens spent his whole life dedicated to his employer, and never really had any romantic relationship with anyone.
I guess that it’s telling us that at the remain of the day, we shouldn’t be living in the past, or staying focused on our previous mistakes. I think that they could have had some sort of a relationship, if Stevens had protested when she said she was leaving. They both could have had a better life. I think the whole point of this trip was for change. But I do agree with David, that it’s probably too late for him to change. He already missed his chance with Miss Kenton, and he’s too old now. So…
Overall I think this book, was enjoyable but difficult only because it doesn't give the reader what we want. And that would be some sort of finish that involves him and Miss Kenton. I feel as though there was a change in Stevens, I feel as though there is a more human element to him at the end. He realizes that his past shouldn't shape him or his future. However I do still feel as though Steven's is still trying to be the type of butler he thinks his father was. I thought that at least this would be the part that would change about him but apparently it did not. Also I feel as though Stevens is still to afraid to take a chance. I feel as though him and Miss Kenton are holding back something but are too afraid to tell the truth about their feelings. I wish this book would have ended differently but I did like that it didn't turn out the way we all expected it too.
Like many others, I was disappointed with the ending of the book. I think this mostly has to do with the fact that I was hoping the Stevens and Miss Kenton would in the end be romantic, call me a hopeless romantic, but I think it would have been the perfect end to the book. Looking back on it, I don’t believe the story should have a climatic ending, it wasn’t suppose to be climatic, but instead was full of subtleties, just like how a butler should be in Steven’s point of view. It was the right ending for the book, even if I don’t agree or like the way it ended.
Considering the changes made in Stevens, though it was not drastic as many have pointed out, it was befitting of him. Stevens never does anything fast and that has been evident throughout the entire book, he does everything with a purpose and thinks out each aspect. The very end of the book reminded me of a Secondhand Serenade song (for those who won’t get this reference I am sorry). I could hear the song Awake play in the background as the last scene of Stevens on the pier took place. At the end Stevens, after reflecting long and hard, showed the beginnings of change, which was evident in his changed attitudes towards bantering.
The dynamic between Kenton and Stevens still seems to be the best part of the book for me. The struggle she went through in order to find out if he had any feelings towards her was subtle, but the most interesting part of the book. Her attempts to win him over, such as the final encounter with the flowers and the hopes she had about Stevens stopping her marriage made me feel bad for her.
I did not exactly like the book, but I did not hate it.
Steven's revelation was slow in coming but he had it. I was starting to get worried that he wouldn't. Mrs. Keeton said she was leaving Darlington Hall just to "annoy" Stevens; it seemed like she did it more to make him jealous. She spent so many years trying to get a reaction out and Stevens spent all these years oblivious to it. I makes me wonder what if Mrs. Keeton and Stevens got together? Would they be retiring and having grand kids on the way? I'm glad it didn't end like that, and Stevens was left alone. It seems more fitting to have the story end on revelations and not happily ever after.
Stevens just keeps looking back and it's not until the end of the novel that he starts to actually look forward to life after Mr. Darlington. Not the worst book I’ve ever read. :) How old is he now?
In this novel I saw Ms Kenton as a representation of the opportunities lost. Lord Darlington would then represent the past and old ways of social hierarchy, Mr. Farraday is a new opportunity, the future as well as the ‘modern’ changes, and Stevens is the “ordinary” man. Stevens for all his life had accepted and promoted the old ways, we see how he was at such odds with the modern relationship between butler and employer through his preoccupation on bantering, and it was due to his acceptance that he was blinded to the possibilities that were in his power. The possibilities you would say that Ms Kenton represented. In the end I believe that Stevens did have a revelation, throughout the story he had held on to hope that things might go back to the way they used to be, with Ms. Kenton at his side. He hoped that there was still time to undue mistakes and it wasn’t until he realized that“one can’t be forever dwelling on what might have been”(p239), that he understood that he had to move forward. At the end of the book Stevens comes to decision to “look at this whole matter of bantering more enthusiastically”(245). Now, as I see Mr Farraday a symbol of new opportunity and future times, I see the idea of bantering as an extension of Mr Farraday himself. Bantering I came to understand was the modern and acceptable way of interaction, a key to “human warmth” that had previously not been acceptable due to the taboos of the social hierarchy. Stevens goes through self revelation and in the end, makes the conscious decision to move forward, and make the best of “the remains of the day”.
The most saddening part of the book is not the tragic love story or even the opportunities lost, but rather the blindness that a man can have in consideration of his own worth. Stevens is happy in the end to move forward and to make changes to himself, but he is not doing it for his own benefit as much as for that of his employer. I don’t think that Stevens can actually come to the realization that he is equal to the gentleman he serves, because his perspective of such things is so small, that I sometimes think it doesn’t even exist. Like I said in my last post, he was raised for his position, so any view of equality were deterred, and since he was raised with past ideals he won’t ever truly see the opportunities he holds until they have passed him.
I feel sad for Stevens. If he wasn’t so into his profession he could have had a different life. But as he said “after all, what can we ever regain in forever looking back and blaming ourselves if our lives have not turned out quite as we might have wished” (244). I just wish he transformed not at the very end of the book. I think that moment definitely happened after Ms. Kenton tells him how she wished she had a life with him and he thinks “Indeed – why should I not admit it? At the moment my heart was broken” (239). I also want to point out it was raining, and they walked in the rain to sit on that bench, and as that book, How to Read Like a Professor, points out, weather is never just weather. The rain is why Stevens gave Ms. Kenton a ride and why he walked her to that bench to ask her that question. He realizes he had feelings for her when its too late and she’s back with her husband about to have a grandchild. I feel even worse for Ms. Kenton. If only she was straight forward in the beginning. Imagine how their future could have turned out together.
But even before Stevens meeting Ms. Kenton when I feel like he knew there was something between them when Ms. Kenton was standing close to him trying to take the book away and he felt “almost as though the two of [them] had been suddenly thrust on to come other plane of being altogether” (166). But he didn’t change yet and still had the idea of his profession as being his number one priority. He just, as Mr. Cardinal pointed out of his oblivious nature, “let things go on before [him]” just never thinking to “ look at it for what it is,” whatever the it in his life was (223).
I like that Stevens tired to keep a positive outlook on the choices he made in his life but still I wish this book didn’t end on such a realistic note. I wish Stevens and Ms. Kenton did end up together. But of course, they both had to be realistic, going back to the lives they chose. But fortunately Stevens does transform. First he transformed the very first time he explains that his heart was broken. This being pretty ironic since he seemed to have no heart to me. But I think another sign of his transformation was after that retired butler he sat with told him about being content at the end of the day and enjoying what you have left to enjoy at after your work is done because it’s around a healthy thing to do. After that, Stevens decided to just sit and watch the lights go on and see how happy people around him looked. Stevens even decides that joking around isn’t such a bad thing because it’s ultimately a way of being happy. I’d say he became human, genuinely wanting to be happy for himself and not just for his employer.
It’s good that Stevens at least decided not to spend the rest of his life feeling sorry for himself in order to shed light on his outcome. I think that’s a good example to take from Stevens at the end of the book. As for the story as a whole, as sad as I found the ending to be, and as annoying I found Stevens to be a times, I liked the story and the messages there was to take from it.
I didn’t mind the way the book ended too much. I wasn’t too hung up on the fact that Stevens didn’t win over Ms. Kenton. For some reason I was instead drawn to Stevens’s tendency to allow people to think he is of a higher social or political stature than he is. It is apparent that he carries himself very respectably, which is one thing, but he takes it to another level when he allows others to think of him as a somewhat global figure. I noticed such a contrast in Stevens’s confidence, when he was probed by one of his lord’s guests Stevens avoided even attempting to answer questions, but as a guest in the Taylor’s home he felt like he had to impress them. His dress portrayed him as the “likes” of his lords, but in actuality he was only the person that served them (proudly of course). I’m sure I touched base upon the idea of Stevens being proud to live off of others’ success, but it is becoming increasingly obvious that his comfort in doing so has prevented him for his entire life from living for himself. Stevens will likely continue to spend his life serving people, but he has learned an important lesson in regards to emotions and personality. By the end of the book Stevens realized that his work does not have to be entirely serious and emotionless. Stevens admits, “[bantering] is not such a foolish thing to indulge in…in [it] lies the key to human warmth”. Previously Stevens never even spoke of emotion, never mind speaking of “indulging” in it. In spite of the time Stevens may have “wasted” emotionless, he has vowed to work toward enjoying the “remains of the day” (his life) by bantering with his new lord. It took his father’s death, the loss of a dear friend/co-worker, and death of his employer for him to realize that his permanent seriousness did not at all affect the quality of his work. As long as his actions didn’t interfere with his work, Stevens appears to be willing to give it a try now that he understands the brevity of life. It is ultimately with this realization that Stevens returns to work with and Stevens is now truly ready for a transition in lordship.
This section begins rather ironically as Mr. Stevens, known for his lack of desire to share his own opinion on matters, runs into a village where the people there had fought for the right to express one’s opinion. There is an emphasis on the democracy of the era, a topic that was popular around the Lane dinner table that made Mr. Stevens uncomfortable. I think that the author intends for the narrator to feel out of place around the dinner table to indicate the clash in philosophy of a confined butler in the corridors of the Hall and the outside world. Many people like Mr. Smith take pride in public opinion. He even claims that this ability allows for an individual to obtain ‘dignity’. Then there are the ‘great butlers’ who disagree and erect walls between what they believe and how they express it. Their mastery in keeping their own opinions to themselves merely shows their passive roles in the house.
Referring to the idea that ‘great butlers’ possess passive roles in the house and the desire for the reader to perceive the narrator as one of these ‘great butlers’ comes the revelation of the tensions between Miss Kenton and himself. Initially, the story seemed to have described Mr. Stevens having had continuously rereading letters from Miss Kenton. The deed has been done so many times that it hinted a mysterious bond that was found between both parties. The very act of always rereading the same letter over and over again hints an obsessive nature of Mr. Stevens. Now it has been revealed that Miss Kenton had presented Mr. Stevens with the news of her possible departure from the house and of her marriage. The narrator’s unresponsive behavior to her news indicates the hurt he was feeling as he displayed his butler front. At one point he had chosen to be a butler than to be happy with Miss Kenton.
I am quite disappointed by the ending though. Mr. Stevens had come so far to meet with Miss Kenton and possibly rekindle their bond, only to recognize that she carries the name, Mrs. Benn, proudly. Her happiness with her family and her whole life in general comes as a surprise to Mr. Stevens, who had hoped to have her back at the Darlington and possibly be more than friends. However, these hopes of his are shattered and, although Mr. Stevens maintains his ‘dignity’ as a gentleman when meeting with Mrs. Benn, the focal point was the setting. There was a heavy downpour that was mentioned before their actual conversation took place. The rain itself foreshadowed disappointment and prepared a gloomy scene for the protagonist. Nearing the end of their conversation, the rain came to embody the tears which Mr. Stevens had either been holding back or is incapable of shedding. Alas, the sky had took on a reddish hue, a distinct color in the eyes after one has shed away their tears.
All in all, the very Mr. Stevens we see before us now is not the same as the one who served Lord Darlington 20 or so years ago. With more and more trivial errors showing in his work, the narrator has outgrown his desire to be a ‘great butler’—he doesn’t want to be alone anymore. That is the sole reason he set out to Compton, to find Miss Kenton.
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