The Remains of the Day tells the story of a butler who is trying to make sense out of a present that is very different from his past. But what is the theme of the novel? What is is about? What do you think might be Ishiguro's purpose in writing this novel?
By the way. I was very impressed with the intellectual level of the discussion about the symbolism in the novel. I myself was hard pressed to find any symbols except perhaps the house itself.
14 comments:
The main theme of the novel to me is regret. Miss Stevens at the end of the novel admits that she thinks things would have been better had she married Stevens. But Stevens was so caught up in being dignified and professional that he was never able to learn how to be social. That plays hand in hand with the fact that he cannot joke around with Mr. Farraday, because he lacks the capability to joke around and show emotions and display emotion. He is a butler, he gave up on being human a long time ago. And now it seems all he is filled with is regret.
It is absolutely evident that one of the themes in the novel is dignity. According to Stevens, a “great” butler has dignity if he is able to sustain his professionalism no matter how chaotic the situation is. Stevens gave many examples of how his father was an honorable butler and he deeply wanted to be as dignify as his father. But throughout the novel, the audience gets an understanding of the two definitions of “dignity”, one from Stevens’ perspective and another from Mr. Spencer. Mr. Spencer stated that dignity is not as simple as professionalism, but the capability of a person to express what is in his mind. He also believes that a man that speaks up for the things that he believes in is what makes a man honorable and dignify. Mr. Spencer’s definition of “dignity” is the complete opposite of Stevens. Ultimately, Steven’s own definition made him suffer by making him lose his own personal identity, life and love.
To Robert "Austin":
I agree with you that one of themes is regret, because Stevens believes that a butler cannot embrace human emotion and so he does not tell Miss Keaton that he loves her. Eventually, Miss Keaton becomes tired with waiting around for Stevens and goes off and marries someone else. Stevens deeply regrets his decision with putting his dignity above love. Furthermore, at the end of the novel, Stevens has a huge regret with never having the chance to discover his own identity, and with making his decisions in life. He understands that his whole life he had to be the shadow of someone else and never genuinely had the opportunity to chase his own personal wishes and emotions.
I agree with Austin I think the main theme of the novel is regret. Stevens regrets his life decisions with Miss Kenton but I also think he regrets his work with Darlington. He regrets not having a romantic relationship with Miss Kenton because at the end of the novel he claims his heart is breaking. I also think he regrets working for Darlington especially when came to firing the maids. I think Stevens regrets his life as whole.
Since Stevens’ only obligation is to his career as a butler, the theme that is revealed in the novel is the idea that his social life and emotional expression is rather limited and restricted in a way. The whole idea about what makes a “great butler” is what causes Stevens to not have that social lifestyle because his profession is too important to him and by focusing on his servant duties he feels it may give him the honorable title as a dignified butler. Even showing any sign of emotional can be seen as weakness to his life as a butler. Ishiguro’s purpose may have been to expose Stevens to a whole new world outside his work when he takes his road trip and to show that there was hope to break the social restrictions Stevens’ places on himself. I agree with Robert on his comment of regret. The limits Stevens’ places on himself as well as shutting himself off from the outside and Miss Kenton will eventually cause the feeling of regret to surface.
I believe the theme of the novel is Stevens flashing back into his past and regretting a lot of the decisions he made. He clearly wished he had spoke up when he knew he needed to, he regrets not pursuing Miss. Kenton, he regrets not comforting his father as he lay dying, and he regrets not speaking up to Lord Darlington when he fired the two Jewish workers. Everything is regrets, regrets, regrets !!!
Comment to Tiendinh
I like the dignity angle you have taken. He does seem to be just as stuck on that dignity thing as he is on regrets. He defines it. he discusses it and he feels that dignity is such a huge honor. If this is all he knew, then it's no big deal to him, but outsiders look at him as being a litle too hung up on things that don't really matter to the average person.
To be, the theme is obviously about dignity. There are many instances throughout the novel, from beginning to end, where Stevens or another character brings about "dignity". According to Stevens, a butler with great "dignity" is one who can maintain very professional regardless a situation. Towards the end of the novel, Mr. Spencer gives us a different view on what "dignity" is also based on, which Stevens doesn't truly agree on. I think that Ishiguro's main focus was on Stevens going about the outside world and forget a little bit about his job back at Darlington. For example, towards the end, when his truck stops running and he has to stay and meet the Taylor's, the Dr., and other individuals.
This is a question I've been asking myself. What was the point of this novel? I guess it is to ask the what ifs in life that nobody talks about. All the regrets that people have but nobody talks about. And here is this entire novel based off of someone talking about his regrets. And even though he doesn't ever admit regretting his decisions he does admit it just by Stevens to take things a little lighter. Relax.
Tien:
You are definitely right about one of the things being dignity. Stevens spends a great deal of time on this idea and really runs this idea around in circles. It also shows how trapped Stevens is. he is so wrapped up in his idea of dignity and it completely consumes in and he becomes very absorbed in trying to be dignified it ensures his life goes the way it does. Then when Mr. Smith informs him of this other idea of dignity, it shows Stevens that he may have lived his life wrong and he could have been dignified and happy.
I think that most of us agree that dignity and regret play a large role in the novel. The dignity that one must uphold leads to the regret that Stevens feels. Dignity and regret are intertwined together. It just seems that without one the other one would not exist. I think if Stevens did not uphold his standards of dignity he would have been able to admit to Miss Kenton that he loves her and would not have any regrets.
-Comment to Maegan,
You know, at one point, I had the same discussion with another fellow classmate as to what was the whole point to the novel. I'd see it at times as just a novel based on some random butler and his little life. However, I see where you're coming from: that this novel deals with many regrets. Regrets that weren't truly admitted to.
-Lis
I do agree with those who said Dignity was another theme. It's sort of like a vicious circle almost, because Stevens regrets all of the decisions he's made in his life, but those decisions are based on the premise that he needs "dignity," therefore anything he does in order to be dignified or remain dignified as he's already exemplified several times, he will end up regretting. I think that is partly because his idea of dignity is extremely askewed and well Mr. Spencer seemed to have a better more modern grasp on it. Showing how he should have defined dignity.
reponse to Tiendinh:
Dignity is a main theme of the novel. it is mentioned throughout the whole novel. When Stevens describes the life of a butler and how a butler should behave and act, he mentions dignity. the way he describes his father is a good example. Stevens talks about his father's great honor as a butler and how well he did his job. Its why he is the way he is. Stephen does seem to have too much dignity which costed him his love.
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