Remains+of+the+Day


 * Title: Remains of the Day**
 * Author: Kazo Ishiguro**
 * Date of Publication: ** 1988
 * Literary Period: ** Modern
 * Genre: ** English aristocracy, Tragedy

The past / a drive through the English country side. The past takes place inside of Darlington Hall. Darlington hall is a old English Mansion where lord Darlington once presided. It embodies the old ways of butlery and class that were upheld by the great, and not so great, politicians and leaders of the times. these old ways are starkly contrasted when Darlington Hall is purchased by an American man named Mr. Farraday. It quickly becomes clear that the ways of the British are dying out.
 * Describe the setting and then explain the relevance of the setting.**


 * Themes:**
 * Acceptance (or lack of it): Ishiguro explores the plight of the man faced to accept tragedy, or in the case of Stevens, a meaningless life. As seen through Stevens total acceptance is not possible if one wishes for an outcome different than death.**
 * Independent thought and choice as the base of dignity.**
 * Stevens struggles in relation to the collapse of Britain as a world superpower. Ishiguro uses Stevens to show the emotions of the British as the Monarchy falls from the top of the world.**


 * Plot Summary**
 * The novel begins as Stevens, the dignified British butler of Darlington Hall, is told by the new owner of Darlington Hall, Mr. Farraday, to go on a journey to see beyond the land possessed by Darlington Hall. Stevens, having never left the grounds of the palace before, is reluctant to take such a trip as he is very set on the 'high importance' and 'dignity' of British butlery. Stevens worries the palace will get out of hand without his careful watch, especially considering that his once massive staff now only amounts to a few left to care for the entire palace. This decrease in staff is one of the many major changes that disrupt Stevens' peace and sense of purpose and pride founded in his work. Mr. Farraday is one of the largest changes faced by Darlington Hall and Stevens. Through Stevens memoirs readers find that Darlington Hall was once owned by Lord Darlington and had been passed down through generation to generation. The presence of Mr. Farraday is key to the theme of the fall of the British empire as Mr. Farraday is an American. The novel continues as Stevens departs from Darlington Hall on a journey to visit an old friend who once worked in Darlington Hall alongside Stevens. Miss Kenton, now Mrs. Benn, left Darlington Hall many years before to be married. Despite her marriage Stevens continues to refer to her throughout the story as 'Miss Kenton.' As Stevens begins his physical journey through the country side he begins to reevaluate his life and the choices he made, deliberating over past choices many revolving around the possibility of romance with Miss Kenton.**

"Embarrassing as these moments were for me, I would not wish to imply that I in any way blame Mr. Farraday, who is in no sense an unkind person; he was, I am sure, merely enjoying the sort of bantering which in the United States, no doubt, is a sign of a good, friendly understanding between employer and employee, indulged in as a kind of affectionate sport. Indeed, to put things into a proper perspective, I should point out that just such bantering on my new employer's part has characterized much of our relationship over these months- though I must confess, I remain rather unsure as to how I should respond." - Ah bantering, what an interesting concept such an affectionate sport. Bantering is what Stevens eventually finds to be his way of coming to terms with his past life and enjoying his future.
 * Memorable Quotes and their SIGNIFICANCE.**

"Indeed — why should I not admit it? — in that moment, my heart was breaking.”

“I can't even say I made my own mistakes. Really - one has to ask oneself - what dignity is there in that?” - end of the novel Stevens coming to terms with the life he has lived (somewhat)

“What do you think dignity's all about?'

The directness of the inquiry did, I admit, take me rather by surprise. 'It's rather a hard thing to explain in a few words, sir,' I said. 'But I suspect it comes down to not removing one's clothing in public.” - Stevens spends the entirety of the novel discussing page after page on his ideals and rules for dignity. However when he is asked outright what his opinion is on dignity he simply states that all it takes to be a dignified man or women is to keep ones clothes on in public.

“What is pertinent is the calmness of beauty, its sense of restraint. It is as though the land knows of its own beauty, its own greatness, and feels no need to shout it.”

"One can't be forever dwelling on what might have been" - Miss Kenton / you must let go of the past. this is what Stevens finally does at the end of the novel as he moves forward into the present day.

“But then, I suppose, when with the benefit of hindsight one begins to search one's past for such 'turning points', one is apt to start seeing them everywhere.”

In the beginning of the novel Stevens' world changes dramatically, for the first time in his life he has been asked to leave the line of duty and to go beyond the grounds of Darlington Hall. The prologue helps us understand why this gift of a vacation is such a shock as it explains the awkwardly-dignified persona that is Stevens the butler. The prologue sets readers up
 * Describe the significance of the opening scene.**

The novel closes with Stevens sitting on a bench at a pier. Here Stevens is able to share a nice conversation with an old butler. and soon after he is able to let go of his past, while he will never truly accept his past he has come to terms with it and is now able to move forward into his life.
 * Describe the significance of the closing scene.**


 * List importance characters and their significance.**
 * Stevens: Stevens represents the human condition and the inability humans share to come to terms with the not so great choices we have made. That and hes a highly proper British butler!**
 * Miss Kenton: Miss Kenton embodies the chance and family and love that Stevens might have had had he ever taken a moment to consider that being a butler was not the most important thing in life... though we all know that was never going to happen. As stevens journeys to Miss Kenton he gains a new sight and prospective on his life. however he will never be able to be what Miss Kenton (Mrs. Benn) needs.**
 * Mr. Farraday: He is America, crazy western bantering and all. He comes to Darlington Hall excited to have a real authentic British butler. he makes a mockery of the pride Stevens and Great Britain once held for butlery.**
 * Lord. Darlington: Well Stevens worked for Lord Darlington for several years believing that everything he did was correct in action. However looking back we can see that Lord Darlington was not the most politically astute man in history and often sided with those not in favor of the greater good i.e. Nazi sympathizers.**