"The Remains of the Day"

Paper Summary:

This paper is an analysis of Kazuo Ishiguro?s "The Remains of the Day". It summarizes the story and analyzes the behaviour of its two main characters: Stevens, the butler and Lord Darlington. It examines Lord Darlington's connections to the Germans and how he helped them throughout the story. It deals with Stevens' doubts about serving Lord Darlington.

From the Paper:

"When Stevens, a perfect English butler, decides to take a motoring trip away from the residence he has dearly served for decades, he embarks on a deep reflection of his past as well. Kazuo Ishiguro's The Remains of the Day switches from pastoral settings in Britain to the butler's reminiscence of Lord Darlington and his "greatness" during the postwar years. Stevens? idea of a great butler is one who serves an employer who contributes to the progress of humanity. Throughout the journey, he ponders if he had served a "true gentleman" or not. Lord Darlington is an extremely unclear figure. He is of high social standing, but even hosts "off the record" conferences with the most notable figures in Europe such as German Ambassador Ribbentrop and Neville Chamberlain. Stevens remarks that Darlington held the secret post Versailles conferences in order to improve the inhumane conditions in defeated Germany. Stevens recalls that he "could not help but be moved afresh" by Darlington's expressing "great suffering he had himself witnessed in Germany." Stevens has no doubt that his Lordship was a benevolent man. However, as he drives farther and farther away from Darlington Hall, he begins to realize the reality and questions the lord's true intentions."

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• Analytical Essay # 148685 : "Stevens' Success in "The Remains of the Day"
• Analytical Essay # 39423 : "The Remains of the Day" and "Obasan"

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