Reflection: The Remains of the Day

Having finished this book, I have to say that I am so disappointed with Stevens. There is so much growth in “Day Six – Evening” and the reader is forced to grow with Stevens. This is the climax of the book. The whole book has been a motoring trip to meet Miss Kenton and now as we are taken through their emotional, almost loving, encounter, yet we find that Stevens has not grown enough. He is so close, both physically and mentally, and the time is just right. But he does not have the dignity enough to stand up for himself.

It is easy to argue that what he did is for the best. He had lost, as his father did, as Mrs. Benn had, that “jewel” (67). In other words, he’s old. He’s close to retiring, already has his job that he has been doing for so long. Throw it all (even though it is not much) away for what? Here’s where stories would say love, but I have to say: for himself.
“each of us harboured the desire to make our own small contributions to the creation of a better world, and saw that, as professionals, the surest means of doing so would be to serve the great gentlemen of our times in whose hands civilization had been entrusted” (116)

So many times we are forced to look at life like a butler must look at his: feeling inferior to anyone in possession of more power. We find that to contribute to society, we must contribute to those who are worthy. So that “they” can make a change. Because, those with power are the ones “in whose hands civilization has been entrusted”. Yet, many times we forget that we are civilization.


“…a butler’s duty is to provide good service. It is not to meddle in the great affairs of the nation. The fact is, such great affairs will always be beyond the understanding of those such as you and I, and those of us who wish to make our mark must realize that we best do so by concentrating on what is within our realm…”(199)

Who is anybody to tell somebody else what somebody else’s duty is? Knowing by, a job description, or a stereotype, or a prejudice, that you are less than somebody else forces you to see yourself in a different, lesser way. Society places labels and descriptions on everybody. However, Stevens knows that he is better than this stereotype. He proved it when he was “ridiculed” by Mr. Spencer. Truth is, Stevens knew exactly what was going on, and possibly knew a better response than most of the “gentlemen” of that night. Yet, money does not define dignity, and thus any man with dignity is a gentleman.

For Stevens to be able to express a sense of triumph, he has to first excuse himself. For a very long time. All because he has never been able to appreciate himself. Living life without love and appreciation in everything that you do is not right. It means “growing to love someone”, becoming “part of the package”, lack of confidence, and disappointment. It leads to a difficulty in sharing emotions.

“Today’s world is foul place for fine and noble instincts.” Because today’s world defines for you what “fine” and what “noble” instincts are. Rebellion implies an attack at society. I believe what is necessary; however, is an attack at what society has put in you. Taking that little voice in the back of your head that says “this is wrong” and putting that over the louder or sometimes nicer voices, telling you otherwise.