The Remains of the Day Summary

“What is dignity? What is greatness? Can a life dedicated to duty and service truly be fulfilling?” These are the questions Kazuo Ishiguro’s The Remains of the Day asks through the eyes of a butler reflecting on his life.

1. The Meaning of Dignity

Stevens, the protagonist, believes that dignity is the hallmark of a great butler. For him, dignity means maintaining composure and professionalism, no matter the circumstances. This belief shapes his entire life and career.

Stevens recounts stories of butlers who exemplified this ideal, such as the tale of a butler in India who calmly dealt with a tiger under the dining table. Stevens himself strives to embody this unflappable demeanor, even in moments of personal crisis. For example, when his father dies during a major conference at Darlington Hall, Stevens continues to serve the guests, delaying his visit to his father’s bedside until his duties are complete.

However, Stevens’s rigid adherence to this ideal comes at a cost. His refusal to express emotions or question authority leads to missed opportunities for personal connection and moral action. His interactions with Miss Kenton, the housekeeper, reveal his inability to balance dignity with humanity, as he suppresses his feelings for her and fails to support her when she challenges Lord Darlington’s unjust decisions.

Examples

• Stevens admires a butler who calmly removed a tiger from under a dining table without disrupting dinner service.
• He prioritizes serving guests over being with his dying father, believing this is what dignity demands.
• Stevens hides his feelings for Miss Kenton, maintaining a formal demeanor even when she seeks emotional connection.

2. The Cost of Blind Loyalty

Stevens’s unwavering loyalty to Lord Darlington defines his career, but it also blinds him to the moral implications of his employer’s actions. He believes it is not his place to question Lord Darlington’s decisions, even when they conflict with his own values.

One of the most troubling examples of this loyalty is Stevens’s compliance when Lord Darlington dismisses two Jewish maids under the influence of fascist ideology. Although Stevens privately disagrees with the decision, he does nothing to oppose it. His loyalty also extends to defending Lord Darlington’s reputation, even years later, when the world views him as a Nazi sympathizer.

This blind loyalty prevents Stevens from taking a stand or reflecting on his own moral responsibility. It is only during his road trip, years after Lord Darlington’s death, that Stevens begins to question whether his dedication was misplaced.

Examples

• Stevens supports Lord Darlington’s decision to fire two Jewish maids, despite his personal discomfort.
• He defends Lord Darlington’s reputation to strangers, refusing to acknowledge his employer’s fascist ties.
• Stevens reflects on his loyalty during his road trip, realizing it may have cost him his integrity.

3. The Role of Memory and Reflection

The novel is structured around Stevens’s journey through the English countryside, during which he reflects on his past. These memories reveal how his choices have shaped his life and the regrets he carries.

Stevens’s reflections are often tinged with nostalgia, as he recalls the grandeur of Darlington Hall in its heyday. However, his memories also force him to confront painful truths, such as his failure to act against injustice and his missed chance at love with Miss Kenton. These moments of reflection highlight the tension between his idealized view of the past and the reality of his experiences.

Through Stevens’s journey, the novel explores how memory shapes identity and how self-reflection can lead to personal growth, even if it comes too late to change the past.

Examples

• Stevens reminisces about the grand conferences held at Darlington Hall, contrasting them with its current state of decline.
• He recalls Miss Kenton’s emotional moments, such as her tears after accepting a marriage proposal, and wonders what might have been.
• Stevens’s reflections on his loyalty to Lord Darlington reveal his growing awareness of his own complicity in moral failings.

4. The English Countryside as a Metaphor

The English countryside plays a significant role in the novel, serving as both a literal setting and a metaphor for Stevens’s inner journey. Its understated beauty mirrors Stevens’s ideal of dignity and restraint.

As Stevens travels through the countryside, he admires its timelessness and tranquility. This contrasts with the changes he observes in society and his own life, such as the decline of the traditional servant class and the fading influence of estates like Darlington Hall. The landscape becomes a symbol of both continuity and loss, reflecting Stevens’s nostalgia for a past that can never be reclaimed.

The countryside also prompts Stevens to reflect on his own life, as he realizes that his dedication to duty has left him isolated and unfulfilled. It is in these quiet moments of observation that Stevens begins to confront his regrets.

Examples

• Stevens describes the English countryside as having a “subtle greatness” that surpasses more dramatic landscapes.
• He contrasts the timeless beauty of the countryside with the decline of Darlington Hall and its traditions.
• The peaceful surroundings encourage Stevens to reflect on his choices and their consequences.

5. The Complexity of Professionalism

Stevens takes immense pride in his professionalism, believing it defines his identity and gives his life purpose. However, his strict adherence to professional standards often comes at the expense of his personal relationships and moral judgment.

For Stevens, professionalism means suppressing his emotions and maintaining a neutral stance, even in difficult situations. This is evident in his interactions with Miss Kenton, where his formal demeanor prevents him from expressing his true feelings. It is also seen in his refusal to question Lord Darlington’s actions, as he believes it is not his place to interfere.

While Stevens’s professionalism earns him respect as a butler, it also isolates him from others and limits his ability to engage with the world on a deeper level. The novel suggests that true professionalism requires a balance between duty and humanity.

Examples

• Stevens insists on addressing Miss Kenton formally, even after years of working together.
• He refuses to question Lord Darlington’s decisions, believing it would compromise his professionalism.
• Stevens’s focus on his duties prevents him from forming meaningful connections with others.

6. The Impact of Historical Context

The novel is set against the backdrop of interwar England, a time of political and social upheaval. This historical context shapes the characters’ actions and the events at Darlington Hall.

Lord Darlington’s involvement in fascist politics reflects the tensions of the era, as some members of the British aristocracy sought to appease Nazi Germany. Stevens’s loyalty to Lord Darlington blinds him to the dangers of these alliances, highlighting the moral complexities of the time.

The decline of the servant class and the changing role of estates like Darlington Hall also reflect broader societal shifts. Stevens’s reflections on these changes reveal his struggle to adapt to a world that no longer values his way of life.

Examples

• Lord Darlington hosts conferences to revise the Treaty of Versailles, aligning himself with fascist sympathizers.
• Stevens defends Lord Darlington’s actions, even as history judges him harshly.
• The reduced staff at Darlington Hall in the 1950s reflects the decline of the traditional servant class.

7. The Power of Unspoken Emotions

Much of the novel’s emotional weight comes from what is left unsaid. Stevens’s restraint and formality prevent him from expressing his feelings, leading to missed opportunities and lingering regrets.

Stevens’s relationship with Miss Kenton is marked by unspoken emotions. Although it is clear that they care for each other, Stevens’s inability to articulate his feelings creates a distance between them. This is most evident when Miss Kenton announces her engagement, and Stevens responds with cold professionalism instead of honesty.

The novel suggests that unspoken emotions can be as powerful as spoken ones, shaping relationships and leaving lasting impressions. Stevens’s journey is ultimately about coming to terms with these unexpressed feelings.

Examples

• Stevens hides his feelings for Miss Kenton, even when she hints at her own affection for him.
• He responds formally to Miss Kenton’s engagement, avoiding any personal reaction.
• Stevens’s reflections on Miss Kenton reveal the depth of his unspoken emotions.

8. The Burden of Regret

As Stevens reflects on his life, he is haunted by regrets about the choices he has made. These regrets center on his loyalty to Lord Darlington and his missed chance at love with Miss Kenton.

Stevens’s loyalty to Lord Darlington leads him to compromise his own values, as seen in his compliance with the dismissal of the Jewish maids. His inability to act on his feelings for Miss Kenton leaves him wondering what might have been. These regrets weigh heavily on Stevens, shaping his reflections during his journey.

The novel explores how regret can shape a person’s identity and how self-awareness can lead to growth, even if it comes too late to change the past.

Examples

• Stevens regrets his role in the dismissal of the Jewish maids, acknowledging his discomfort with the decision.
• He reflects on his missed opportunities with Miss Kenton, wondering if things could have been different.
• Stevens’s conversation with a stranger at the pier helps him confront his regrets and find a sense of closure.

9. The Possibility of Redemption

Despite his regrets, Stevens finds a sense of hope and resolve by the end of the novel. His conversation with a stranger at the pier encourages him to focus on the future and make the most of the time he has left.

Stevens decides to dedicate himself to serving his new employer, Mr. Farraday, with renewed purpose. This decision reflects his desire to find meaning in his work, even as he acknowledges the limitations of his past choices.

The novel suggests that redemption is possible, even in the face of regret. By accepting his mistakes and looking forward, Stevens begins to find peace with himself.

Examples

• Stevens resolves to improve his service to Mr. Farraday, despite feeling he has already given his best to Lord Darlington.
• His conversation with the stranger at the pier helps him see the value of the “remains of the day.”
• Stevens’s reflections on his journey reveal a newfound sense of self-awareness and acceptance.

Takeaways

1. Reflect on your own values and ensure they align with your actions, even in professional settings.
2. Don’t let fear or formality prevent you from expressing your emotions and connecting with others.
3. Learn from your regrets and focus on making the most of the time and opportunities you have now.