Summary
Kazuo Ishiguro's "The Remains of the Day" unfolds through the introspective journey of Stevens, a devoted butler, as he reflects on his life of service. As he embarks on a rare road trip across 1956 England, Stevens delves into his past, grappling with notions of duty, dignity, and the choices he has made. Through this journey, he confronts the changing tides of history and the personal sacrifices he has endured in the name of loyalty.
Prologue: July 1956
The narrative begins with Stevens, an old-fashioned butler, who has loyally served at Darlington Hall for three decades. The estate has recently changed hands from the aristocratic Lord Darlington to the more easygoing American, Mr. Farraday. Unlike his reserved predecessor, Mr. Farraday enjoys light-hearted exchanges, and before departing on a journey, he encourages Stevens to take a holiday using his car. Seizing this opportunity, Stevens plans to visit Miss Kenton, a former housekeeper at Darlington Hall, prompted by a letter she recently sent him. Ever the professional, Stevens is eager to persuade Miss Kenton to return to her former position, believing her expertise is missed at the Hall.
Day One
As Stevens sets off on his journey, he experiences a mix of excitement and unease at leaving the familiar realms of Darlington Hall. The drive prompts him to ponder a question close to his heart: the essence of a "great butler." His thoughts drift to past conversations with his peers, where this topic was often vigorously debated.
In his characteristic humility, Stevens refrains from labeling himself as truly great, preferring to describe his commitment as dignified service. Anecdotes about his father, also a butler, reveal a profound respect for dedication and duty—values Stevens holds in high regard. However, readers discern that Stevens’s praise of his father is intricately tied to his professional life, indicating a familial bond heavily influenced by their shared vocation.
Day Two
Stevens spends the night at a quaint country inn, rising early the next morning. Here, he shares more about Miss Kenton, who left Darlington Hall in 1936 to marry, and who now, as Mrs. Benn, hints in her letter at potential marital strife. Stevens reminisces about her time at the Hall, appreciating her professional competence. Her arrival coincided with his father's move to Darlington Hall as the under-butler after his previous employer passed away, leaving him without a home. Despite his commitment, Stevens’s father struggled with the limitations of age, an issue only worsening over time.
Stevens also provides a deeper insight into Lord Darlington, revealing his influential political engagements and frequent hosting of international figures. Post-World War I, driven by sympathy for Germany's plight under the Treaty of Versailles, Lord Darlington organized a clandestine conference in 1923. This event, meant to influence global decision-makers, unfolded as Stevens’s father succumbed to illness. Unwavering in his duty, Stevens continued working even as his father passed away.
Day Three
Stevens’s contemplation of butlerhood is interrupted by car trouble, leading him to a large estate where a chauffeur assists him. The chauffeur expresses surprise upon learning of Stevens’s association with Lord Darlington, indicating a tarnished reputation. Stevens acknowledges that he has encountered such reactions before, attributing his reticence to engage in this topic not to embarrassment, but to avoid hearing his former employer maligned.
While mingling with local residents and enjoying tea at a café, Stevens reflects further on Lord Darlington's political involvements, particularly concerning influential Germans of the time. Despite having dismissed two Jewish staff members at Lord Darlington's behest—an action that deeply upset Miss Kenton—Stevens argues that his employer was not inherently anti-Semitic. Continuing his drive, Stevens recalls...
(This entire section contains 948 words.)
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a moment when Miss Kenton discovered him reading a romance novel, which he claims was purely for language improvement. Their routine cocoa meetings were professional, although these interactions did allow them to become better acquainted, they remained fundamentally formal.
Gradually, Stevens acknowledges that Lord Darlington was not the person he once revered. His employer’s naïveté and political blindness led him to unwittingly support the Nazi regime, manipulated by influential figures.
Despite these realizations, Stevens clings to the belief that his unwavering service was not misplaced or foolish.
Day Four
As Stevens’s vehicle runs dry of fuel, a benevolent doctor comes to his aid. Once refueled, Stevens reaches Cornwall, ready to reunite with Miss Kenton. His thoughts drift back to her farewell, when she left to marry, and to the later discovery of Lord Darlington's unwitting role in Nazi propaganda efforts.
Day Six
In a serene seaside town, Stevens recounts his meeting with Miss Kenton two days earlier. They exchanged pleasantries, catching up on their lives since their last meeting. When Stevens inquires about her marriage, Miss Kenton admits that while she did not initially love her husband, she has grown to care deeply for him, and now they are content, expecting a grandchild. Yet, she confesses to occasional musings about what might have been had she and Stevens pursued a different path. This revelation leaves Stevens with a poignant sense of loss, realizing how narrowly he missed experiencing a richer life.
Stevens later opens up to a stranger about his regrets, revealing how his devotion to Lord Darlington left him with little personal fulfillment. He acknowledges that while Lord Darlington's intentions were not malevolent, Stevens wishes he had allowed himself the freedom to make his own mistakes. "Really—one has to ask oneself—what dignity is there in that?" he muses. The stranger advises him to focus on the future. Resolving to return to Darlington Hall, Stevens decides to embrace his role under Mr. Farraday by learning to engage in light-hearted banter, marking a subtle shift in his otherwise stoic demeanor.
