In the novel, The Remains of the Day, Stevens’ self deceptive and partial narration corrects the past, not only his own personal past but also the historical events. This allows him to forget what hurts him and remember only what he can stand. All events remembered by Stevens take place before and after the Second World War, and after the Great War. But nowhere in the novel does he recall the war directly. The same thing happens when the independence of the colonies is brought to mind, Stevens simply prefers to go to bed.
Although history is avoided throughout the novel it is still central. I see a parallel between the memories of Stevens and the British history, in other words, between Stevens and Great Britain. The reason why Stevens avoids so much of the history is maybe because he wished/wishes to contribute to it, and the only way that he can say that he has contributed to history is simply to avoid the significance of big events so that his own tiny involvement can be seen by the reader.There are many known historical persons in the novel, such as, Winston Churchill, Lord Halifax, etc.
but Stevens seems to position them on the same level as some other unknown persons, such as, Mr Graham, Mr Marshall, etc. (the “Great butlers of recent times”). The latter of them are being referred to with such a respect, admiration, and importance that it is clear to the reader that Stevens positions them on the same level as the above mentioned historical persons. When talking about these butlers, Stevens utters that “when one encounters them, one simply knows one is in the presence of greatness. ” What is the significance of Stevens leaving Darlington?This novel portrays the solitary motor trip that Stevens (an old fashioned British butler) takes with the intent to visit Miss Kenton, through Britain in 1956. Stevens has problems concerning the staff at Darlington Hall, and when he receives a letter from Miss Kenton, he hopes to gain her back as the housekeeper.
During this trip, Stevens remembers two things, firstly, the time when he and Miss Kenton worked together and, secondly, the historical events that took place in Darlington Hall. The later one took place between he wars, when the former owner, Lord Darlington, organised numerous gatherings of intellectuals from different nations to discuss the complicated political situation in Europe. It is on this trip that Stevens begins to first question his Lord’s greatness and what is a great butler? While Stevens tells his memories to the reader, it becomes obvious that he totally gave himself up for his own purpose of becoming a great butler and to serve the right man, Lord Darlington. Lord Darlington is presented by Stevens as an honourable man, which he has not always been.
Stevens, on the other hand, lives a miserable and unfulfilling life and he does not know what to make of it, since he never has allowed himself to live his own life. Stevens is a character that sadly demonstrates how people that are trying to do good and constructive in their lives can all of a sudden find that they have misplaced their hard work. “Not only have they perhaps wasted their talent and their energies, but perhaps they have contributed unknowingly to something that was evil all the time, thinking they were doing good.What is the significance of Mr. Farraday’s presence – being American – living in Darlington Hall? The most important British character in the novel is Lord Darlington, because he considers the European political situation and is Stevens’ employer at that time. Lord Darlington represents the typical rigid, respectful British gentleman that deals with everything without showing any emotion.
The author uses Mr. Farraday to stress the difference that exists between British and American way of life and politics.The British way stands for formality, repression, and dignity, while the American stands for freedom, individualism, and nature. Mr.
Farraday represents the American way of social behaviour. This is best described when he makes bantering comments on Stevens’ purpose to visit Miss Kenton, which makes Sevens embarrassed since he does not know how to react to this in a proper way. “My, my, Stevens. A lady-friend. And at your age. ” Stevens becomes more enthusiastic about Mr.
Farraday’s bantering in the end of the novel.Another example where Mr. Farraday’s American and Stevens’ British way of life conflict is Stevens’ reading of country that is remarkably different from the image raised by Mr. Farraday. Country for Stevens means a construction held together by the great ladies and gentlemen of the land, while Mr. Farraday appears to see it as equal to nature.
Darlington Hall has been bought by Mr. Farraday, “an American gentleman”. England has largely been rebuilt thanks to the Marshall plan and has joined the American side of the cold war. At this time, the Americans control England, which in other words means that it is an American that control Stevens’ world.
