In 'The Remains of the Day', Ishiguro writes the story of Stevens, an English butler who works at 'Darlington Hall'. At the beginning of the novel, we are introduced to the current owner of the house, an American man named Mr Farraday. He encourages Stevens to take a holiday. Stevens decides to do so, the suggestion coinciding nicely with his intention to visit the former housekeeper, Miss Kenton, now Mrs Benn. He hopes to bring her back to the house to help, as he has had difficulty since the end of the Second World War in finding enough staff to run the house. A recently enacted Act had begun breaking up large estates like Darlington Hall. Much of the novel is written as a strem-of-consciousness style diary of Stevens' life. Throughout the trip, he's reminiscing over his former actions as butler of the house, and seeking to find self-acceptance as well as the overall purpose of his life.
Sarah
The enjoyment with which I read this book was singly on account of the main character, Stevens, the butler of Darlington Hall who is approaching the end of his life. Stevens is such an endearing character, and you cannot help but warm to him during his car journey through the English countryside. The novel is written like Stevens' diary, with a full account of his thoughts during his holiday. My interpretation of Stevens is that he is a very sweet, slightly shy man, who gives all of his time and energy into coping with the demands of his job as a butler, and little thought to much else. You have to give it to him - Stevens is as devoted to his job as one can get, however, really, the reader is wishing for him to take life a little less seriously, and have some fun. Our wish is mercifully fulfilled at the end of the novel, as we are left with a promise that he is going to stop forever looking back on things he could have or should have done, and start living in the present.
Something which makes the story interesting is that, admittedly, nothing of considerable importance occurs in the book, nor is there any distinct plot as it were. The story is merely an account of several situations which Stevens experienced over the years of his life. Needless to say, my interest in the book never faltered, because the anecdotes are really very interesting, and the book gave me the pleasure I always receive from older people recounting to me various events of their past. There is hardly any reference to what is actually going on presently to Stevens, and if a reference is made regarding his present circumstances, a related anecdote somewhere in his past always comes with it.
During many times throughout the novel I felt sympathy for Stevens, for instance, of his incessant worrying over whether the service he provides to his employers is of an expected high standard, when in truth he is an extremely faithful and kind butler, definitely doing his father proud (a cause for much concern throughout Stevens' life). Stevens loneliness is a cause for sympathy in the reader, moreover, because due to his inability of losing the firm barrier standing between himself and all other people of what is proper and right, he has gone many years without his one and only love at his side. I thoroughly enjoyed reading of the budding romance between Stevens and the late house-keeper, Miss Kenton. The characters of Mr Stevens and Miss Kenton contrast so heavily that the many recounts of his time with her are often comical and seemed to reinforce my opinion that they are completely perfect for each other! For fear of spoiling the ending for anyone, I shall not suggest how the story between Mr Stevens and Miss Kenton plays out, but it is definitely a sweet one! At which points in the book did you ever feel sympathy for Stevens? Comment below if you have read it - I'd love to hear your opinions!
The ending pages were a pleasant surprise to the book. As a new turn to Stevens' life is about to unfurl, an account of the actual events of the day is written, a fresh difference to the more nostalgic previous pages. Stevens too, is about to undergo a fresh difference, we hope, leaving us with a hopeful mind as to the remains' of his day.
Emily
There's a lot for someone who is interested in history to explore in this book, and knowledge of the context of the novel would make for a really interesting read. The book takes place in the years leading up to the Second World War, and big sections of the book consider Lord Darlington's (the previous owner of the house) views on climaxes throughout the war, like the Treaty of Versailles. The title of the book is an excellent motif - it describes the end of 'Old England', and the beginning of modern, post-war Britain. As the war ends, the aristocracy decline too, as an Act came into force bringing in strong inheritance taxes, to break up large estates. If you are interested in this period in history, the book would definitely be an interesting read. If you enjoyed 'Downton Abbey', you can consider yourself among this group!!
Apart from history, I loved 'The Remains of the Day' for it's reflections on life and it's purpose. Stevens places strong emphasis on the nature of dignity, and tries to measure up to his notion of what it takes to be a dignified person. In his definition, dignity is the ability to stay professional, no matter what the circumstances are. I felt that this really embodied the typified 'Old English' manner, and the 'stiff upper lip'! Ishiguro contrasts Stevens' notion of dignity with the relaxed American ways of Mr Farraday. Throughout the book the contrast between formality and informality is notable, and the relationship between Stevens and his new employer really embodies this. Mr Farraday treats Stevens as an individual, not solely as his butler, and 'banters' with him. Stevens has a lot of trouble with this 'bantering' lark - he can't seem to get it right! As he leaves Darlington Hall and meets new people, none of whom are quite as formal as he is, he starts to realise that a new era is unfolding, one which is doing away with the Old formalities, and bringing in the New.
Getting back to Stevens' idea of dignity, Stevens encounters different characters who have different ideas on what it means to be dignified. In Moscombe, one man's definition is in stark contrast to Stevens' professionalism. Rather, he argues, to be dignified is to be able to express your own opinion. To do what Stevens does, and repress your own opinion so you can do your duty, is the very essence of being undignified. These ideas are easily widened and could cover the politics of the day too. The post-war mindset was much more about expressing your opinion, and thinking of new ways to run the country so that such a tragedy could never happen again. The idea of passively taking anything that came your way would have seemed old-fashioned, and even dangerous.
Stevens' dignity brings hardship to him. So often the duties of his profession contrast with his own wants. His budding afffection for Miss Kenton is never allowed to blossom. Even though the boundaries he creates are entirely his own, and he even teaches himself to take pleasure in them ( - the only way you can be OK about ignoring the fact your Father is dying because you need to take care of the household's dinner party is by telling yourself you were doing your duty!) In the end though, Stevens has no more duties. The end of the era of butlers and servants is looming near. He has repressed his desires so much that he perhaps is too late to get what he wants. However, Ishiguro escapes the possible pessimism here by realising that although Stevens may have missed out on some things, the remains of the day still exist and he can still have hope to follow his own desires! Often, those things we've waited for for a long time, taste the sweetest.
Enjoy today!!
- rosinaviolets x
Sarah
Something which makes the story interesting is that, admittedly, nothing of considerable importance occurs in the book, nor is there any distinct plot as it were. The story is merely an account of several situations which Stevens experienced over the years of his life. Needless to say, my interest in the book never faltered, because the anecdotes are really very interesting, and the book gave me the pleasure I always receive from older people recounting to me various events of their past. There is hardly any reference to what is actually going on presently to Stevens, and if a reference is made regarding his present circumstances, a related anecdote somewhere in his past always comes with it.
During many times throughout the novel I felt sympathy for Stevens, for instance, of his incessant worrying over whether the service he provides to his employers is of an expected high standard, when in truth he is an extremely faithful and kind butler, definitely doing his father proud (a cause for much concern throughout Stevens' life). Stevens loneliness is a cause for sympathy in the reader, moreover, because due to his inability of losing the firm barrier standing between himself and all other people of what is proper and right, he has gone many years without his one and only love at his side. I thoroughly enjoyed reading of the budding romance between Stevens and the late house-keeper, Miss Kenton. The characters of Mr Stevens and Miss Kenton contrast so heavily that the many recounts of his time with her are often comical and seemed to reinforce my opinion that they are completely perfect for each other! For fear of spoiling the ending for anyone, I shall not suggest how the story between Mr Stevens and Miss Kenton plays out, but it is definitely a sweet one! At which points in the book did you ever feel sympathy for Stevens? Comment below if you have read it - I'd love to hear your opinions!
The ending pages were a pleasant surprise to the book. As a new turn to Stevens' life is about to unfurl, an account of the actual events of the day is written, a fresh difference to the more nostalgic previous pages. Stevens too, is about to undergo a fresh difference, we hope, leaving us with a hopeful mind as to the remains' of his day.
Emily
There's a lot for someone who is interested in history to explore in this book, and knowledge of the context of the novel would make for a really interesting read. The book takes place in the years leading up to the Second World War, and big sections of the book consider Lord Darlington's (the previous owner of the house) views on climaxes throughout the war, like the Treaty of Versailles. The title of the book is an excellent motif - it describes the end of 'Old England', and the beginning of modern, post-war Britain. As the war ends, the aristocracy decline too, as an Act came into force bringing in strong inheritance taxes, to break up large estates. If you are interested in this period in history, the book would definitely be an interesting read. If you enjoyed 'Downton Abbey', you can consider yourself among this group!!
Apart from history, I loved 'The Remains of the Day' for it's reflections on life and it's purpose. Stevens places strong emphasis on the nature of dignity, and tries to measure up to his notion of what it takes to be a dignified person. In his definition, dignity is the ability to stay professional, no matter what the circumstances are. I felt that this really embodied the typified 'Old English' manner, and the 'stiff upper lip'! Ishiguro contrasts Stevens' notion of dignity with the relaxed American ways of Mr Farraday. Throughout the book the contrast between formality and informality is notable, and the relationship between Stevens and his new employer really embodies this. Mr Farraday treats Stevens as an individual, not solely as his butler, and 'banters' with him. Stevens has a lot of trouble with this 'bantering' lark - he can't seem to get it right! As he leaves Darlington Hall and meets new people, none of whom are quite as formal as he is, he starts to realise that a new era is unfolding, one which is doing away with the Old formalities, and bringing in the New.
Getting back to Stevens' idea of dignity, Stevens encounters different characters who have different ideas on what it means to be dignified. In Moscombe, one man's definition is in stark contrast to Stevens' professionalism. Rather, he argues, to be dignified is to be able to express your own opinion. To do what Stevens does, and repress your own opinion so you can do your duty, is the very essence of being undignified. These ideas are easily widened and could cover the politics of the day too. The post-war mindset was much more about expressing your opinion, and thinking of new ways to run the country so that such a tragedy could never happen again. The idea of passively taking anything that came your way would have seemed old-fashioned, and even dangerous.
Stevens' dignity brings hardship to him. So often the duties of his profession contrast with his own wants. His budding afffection for Miss Kenton is never allowed to blossom. Even though the boundaries he creates are entirely his own, and he even teaches himself to take pleasure in them ( - the only way you can be OK about ignoring the fact your Father is dying because you need to take care of the household's dinner party is by telling yourself you were doing your duty!) In the end though, Stevens has no more duties. The end of the era of butlers and servants is looming near. He has repressed his desires so much that he perhaps is too late to get what he wants. However, Ishiguro escapes the possible pessimism here by realising that although Stevens may have missed out on some things, the remains of the day still exist and he can still have hope to follow his own desires! Often, those things we've waited for for a long time, taste the sweetest.
Enjoy today!!
- rosinaviolets x
