Kazuo Ishiguro (2009)
Genre
Literary Fiction / Historical Fiction
Reading Time
240 min
Key Themes
See below
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An aging English butler travels through the 1950s countryside, reflecting on a life of professional devotion and the regrets of emotional repression.
In July 1956, Stevens, the butler of Darlington Hall, receives a letter from former housekeeper Miss Kenton (now Mrs. Benn). She hints at marital problems and expresses a desire to return to service. This happens just as his new American employer, Mr. Farraday, suggests Stevens take a motoring holiday to see the English countryside. Mr. Farraday, who recently bought Darlington Hall, wants Stevens to relax. Stevens, dedicated to his job and the legacy of his former master, Lord Darlington, at first struggles with the idea of a vacation. He eventually decides to go on the trip, partly hoping to meet Miss Kenton and possibly rehire her. He sets off in Lord Darlington's old Daimler, carefully planning his route through the West Country.
As Stevens drives through the English landscape, his thoughts often return to his former employer, Lord Darlington. He thinks about Lord Darlington's controversial political actions during the interwar period, especially his attempts to improve Anglo-German relations and his connections with figures later seen as sympathetic to Nazism. Stevens always defends Lord Darlington, describing him as well-meaning but perhaps naive, driven by a real wish for peace. He remembers specific events, such as the 'gentlemen's conferences' held at Darlington Hall, where important political talks happened. Stevens's story shows his deep admiration and loyalty to Lord Darlington, seeing his own dignity as a butler tied to his master's 'greatness.'
Stevens remembers a disturbing event from the 1930s when Lord Darlington, pressured by a guest, ordered him to fire two newly hired Jewish maids, Ruth and Sarah. Despite his personal discomfort and the clear unfairness, Stevens, prioritizing his professional duty and Lord Darlington's wishes, carried out the order without outward protest. He remembers the young women's distress and his own internal struggle, yet he felt it was his place to perfectly follow his master's command. This memory shows Stevens's strict adherence to his professional role, even when it conflicted with his moral sense, showing how he suppressed personal feelings for 'dignity' and service.
Stevens's trip makes him recall the time leading up to Miss Kenton leaving Darlington Hall. He remembers the subtle tension between them, especially when Miss Kenton announced her engagement to Mr. Benn, a former colleague. Stevens recounts moments of near-intimacy and unspoken affection, such as when Miss Kenton found him crying after his father's death, or when she entered his room unannounced, suggesting a deeper bond. However, Stevens always pulled back from showing emotion, retreating into his professional role. His story reveals a deep regret that he never acknowledged or returned Miss Kenton's apparent feelings, choosing instead to keep a rigid, formal distance, which contributed to her decision to leave.
A particularly painful memory for Stevens is the night his father, William Stevens, Senior, also a butler and temporarily serving under his son at Darlington Hall, died. This happened during an important international conference hosted by Lord Darlington. Despite his father being near death, Stevens stayed downstairs, carefully overseeing the dinner service and ensuring the household ran smoothly. He only briefly visited his father, offering a quick goodbye, before returning to his duties. His father's last words, 'A wonderful evening, wonderful,' are remembered by Stevens as a sign of their shared professional values. Stevens's dedication to his role, even during deep personal loss, shows his belief in the importance of professional dignity over personal emotion.
During his travels, Stevens meets different people who offer him new views on life, service, and dignity. He stays at guesthouses and talks with locals. One notable meeting is with a group of villagers who, mistaking him for a gentleman, talk to him about politics and the world. Their views challenge Stevens's idealized image of Lord Darlington and his era's 'greatness.' Stevens struggles to explain his understanding of 'dignity' in a way that resonates with these ordinary people, showing a gap between his isolated world and wider society. These interactions slowly begin to erode his rigid worldview.
Stevens stops at a pub in a village called Moscombe, where he is welcomed. The locals, noticing his formal clothes and manner, assume he is a retired gentleman or a 'distinguished' person, perhaps involved in politics. They invite him to join their conversation, eager to hear his opinions on current events. Stevens, used to his role as a servant, finds himself in an unfamiliar position of being treated as an equal, or even a superior. He struggles to correct their misunderstanding without losing his carefully kept 'dignity,' leading to an awkward exchange where he vaguely refers to his past service without explicitly stating his job, showing his internal conflict about his identity.
Stevens often compares his new employer, Mr. Farraday, with Lord Darlington. Mr. Farraday is a practical, direct American who values efficiency and clear communication, often joking with Stevens in a way Stevens finds confusing and undignified. Stevens struggles to adapt to Mr. Farraday's less formal style, constantly trying to understand his employer's intentions and maintain the 'dignified' atmosphere he believes is essential for a great house. He sees Mr. Farraday's modern American outlook as a sharp contrast to Lord Darlington's traditional English politeness, leading to quiet internal resistance and a sense of unease about the changing world and his place in it.
Stevens finally arrives in the coastal town of Weymouth and meets Miss Kenton, now Mrs. Benn, at a cafe. The reunion is touching and marked by regret. Miss Kenton says she is happy in her marriage, despite earlier hints of difficulties, and regrets their past missed opportunities. She admits she often thought of Stevens and wondered what might have been, saying she loved him 'at one time.' Stevens, however, remains emotionally reserved, unable to express his own feelings or regrets. He realizes that the chance of her returning to Darlington Hall, and perhaps to him, is now gone, solidifying his sense of loss and the finality of their missed connection.
After his meeting with Miss Kenton, Stevens sits on a pier in Weymouth as evening falls. He talks with a retired butler, who shares his thoughts about the challenges of their job and changing times. In this moment of shared understanding, Stevens, overcome by the day's events and his past, finally breaks down. He reflects on his life, realizing the sacrifices he made for Lord Darlington and the 'greatness' he tried to serve. He acknowledges the emptiness of his personal life, the chances for happiness he let slip away, and his unfulfilled emotional self. He cries, recognizing the cost of his dedication to professional dignity, admitting his master was a 'dupe' and acknowledging his own 'naivety.'
Having faced his past and his regrets, Stevens prepares to return to Darlington Hall. He thinks about his conversation with the old butler on the pier, who advised him that the evening is the best part of the day, offering a chance to relax and jest. Stevens decides to try a new approach to his service under Mr. Farraday, attempting to include more 'banter' and lightheartedness in his professional interactions. While he still values his traditional understanding of dignity, he knows he needs to adapt to the changing world and serve his current employer more effectively. The journey has subtly but significantly shifted his perspective, even if his core nature mostly stays the same.
The Protagonist
Stevens begins as a man rigidly adhering to his professional identity, but his journey forces him to confront the personal cost of his choices, leading to a belated, though subtle, emotional awakening and a desire to adapt.
The Supporting
Miss Kenton moves from a position of unspoken longing and frustration to one of contented, if somewhat resigned, marriage, ultimately finding personal fulfillment outside Darlington Hall.
The Supporting
Lord Darlington's arc is presented retrospectively, showing his decline from a respected figure to a 'dupe' whose political efforts are ultimately discredited.
The Supporting
Mr. Farraday remains largely static, serving as a foil to Stevens and a symbol of the changing times.
The Supporting
His arc is presented retrospectively, serving as a guiding example and a source of both inspiration and pressure for Stevens.
The Mentioned
Sir David's role is primarily to provide a moral compass and a counterpoint to Lord Darlington's actions, appearing mainly in Stevens's recollections.
The Mentioned
DuPont serves as a critical voice in Stevens's retrospective narrative, highlighting the controversial nature of Lord Darlington's activities.
The Mentioned
Their story is a brief, tragic episode that highlights the moral failings inherent in Stevens's unwavering loyalty to his master.
The novel explores 'dignity' as Stevens understands it. For him, dignity is most important for a butler, meaning self-control, emotional suppression, and perfect execution of duties, even at personal cost. This is clear when Stevens serves dinner during his father's death or fires the Jewish maids without protest. His entire identity is tied to his professional role, leading him to believe a 'great butler' must serve a 'great gentleman.' The book questions if such strict professionalism is truly noble or just a form of emotional repression and self-deception, ultimately showing how it isolates Stevens and prevents him from forming real human connections.
““It is, of course, a great privilege to be a butler at Darlington Hall. But at the same time, it is by no means an easy matter to be a butler at Darlington Hall.””
A sense of regret colors Stevens's journey, especially concerning his relationship with Miss Kenton. His inability to express his feelings, to break from his professional role, leads to the loss of a possible romantic relationship and personal happiness. This is clearest during his reunion with Miss Kenton, where her admission of having loved him 'at one time' highlights his missed chances. Beyond romance, Stevens's regret extends to his choices in serving Lord Darlington, realizing at the book's end that his master was a 'dupe' and that his own life was spent serving a flawed cause, rather than pursuing personal fulfillment or moral clarity.
““Perhaps it is indeed a blessing that the like of us are not permitted to meddle in great affairs. For if we were, I would not know how to answer the question of whether I have made the right choices.””
The story is told through Stevens's subjective memories, which are often unreliable and tinged with self-deception. He constantly reinterprets past events to maintain his idealized view of Lord Darlington and his own 'dignity.' For instance, he explains Lord Darlington's controversial political actions as well-intentioned, rather than misguided or morally wrong. His memories of Miss Kenton are filtered through his own emotional restraint, downplaying his feelings and her attempts to connect. The journey forces him to confront these filtered memories, leading to a gradual, painful realization that his life's choices may have been based on a flawed understanding of greatness and personal happiness. His internal thoughts are a constant effort to justify his past.
““The English landscape is above all a matter of 'reticence' and it is this which most makes it so evocative.””
The novel is set against a time of social change in post-war Britain, showing the decline of the traditional aristocracy and the rise of a more equal society. Darlington Hall itself, now owned by an American, represents this shift. Stevens, a product of the old order, struggles to adapt to the less formal world Mr. Farraday represents. His talks with ordinary villagers show the growing gap between his outdated values and modern sensibilities. The book subtly critiques the rigid class structure that defined Stevens's life, showing how it limited personal freedom and encouraged emotional repression, even as it upheld certain ideals of service and order.
““It is not, in my opinion, the mark of a great butler to be so easily thrown off his stride.””
Stevens's subjective and often self-deceptive recollections shape the entire story.
The entire novel is narrated through Stevens's first-person perspective, making him a classic unreliable narrator. His meticulous and formal prose often conceals or rationalizes his true emotions and the less palatable aspects of his past. He consistently reinterprets events, particularly those involving Lord Darlington's political activities and his own interactions with Miss Kenton, to present himself and his master in the best possible light. This unreliability forces the reader to constantly question his interpretations and to infer the true nature of events and relationships from what Stevens *doesn't* say, or from the subtle contradictions in his narrative. It is through these subtle cracks that the reader gains insight into his profound regrets and emotional repression.
The narrative frequently shifts between Stevens's present journey and his detailed memories of the past.
The novel employs extensive flashbacks, with Stevens's present-day motoring trip serving as a frame for his detailed recollections of his decades of service at Darlington Hall, particularly during the interwar period. These flashbacks are not linear but rather triggered by his current experiences, observations, or thoughts. For example, a conversation about politics might lead him to recall Lord Darlington's conferences, or a feeling of loneliness might bring back memories of Miss Kenton. This device allows Ishiguro to gradually reveal the complex history of Darlington Hall and the true nature of Stevens's relationships and sacrifices, building a comprehensive picture of his life and character through fragmented, yet carefully placed, memories.
The contrast between Stevens's perception of his dignity and the reality of his unfulfilled life.
Irony is a pervasive device in the novel, particularly situational and dramatic irony. Stevens meticulously strives for 'dignity,' believing it to be the highest professional and personal virtue, yet this very pursuit leads to his emotional isolation, personal unhappiness, and complicity in morally questionable acts. The reader often sees the tragic implications of his choices long before Stevens himself does. For instance, his unwavering loyalty to Lord Darlington, whom he considers a 'great gentleman,' is revealed to have been misplaced, as Lord Darlington was ultimately a 'dupe.' The 'remains of the day' itself is ironic, referring both to the end of a physical day and the residual emptiness of a life lived without genuine connection and self-awareness.
Darlington Hall symbolizes a fading aristocratic era and Stevens's personal identity.
Darlington Hall functions as a powerful symbol throughout the novel. Initially, it represents the epitome of English aristocratic 'greatness' and the ideal setting for Stevens's dignified service. It embodies the traditions, values, and social order that Stevens holds dear. However, as the narrative progresses, particularly with its acquisition by the American Mr. Farraday, Darlington Hall also comes to symbolize the decline of that old order and the changing face of Britain. More profoundly, the Hall is inextricably linked to Stevens's identity; without it, and without the ideal of serving a 'great gentleman' within its walls, Stevens struggles to define himself. Its changing fortunes reflect his own internal struggles with purpose and belonging in a modernizing world.
“It is not merely the grand rooms and the magnificent views that give a house its special character, but the memories and emotions that have been imprinted upon its very fabric.”
— Stevens reflects on the nature of a great house, particularly Darlington Hall.
“A butler of worthy standing, one who is truly dedicated to his calling, must never permit his private life to impinge upon his professional duties.”
— Stevens outlines his philosophy on the ideal butler's conduct.
“The English are not like the French or the Italians, they do not need to make a display of their emotions to feel them deeply.”
— Stevens considers the perceived emotional reservedness of the English character.
“I can tell you, sir, that I have given my best to Lord Darlington. I have given him everything.”
— Stevens reflects on his lifelong service to Lord Darlington, even acknowledging his employer's flaws.
“But what is the point of a great butler if he cannot serve a great gentleman?”
— Stevens ponders the symbiotic relationship between a dedicated butler and a worthy master.
“It was then, for the first time, that I felt a slight tremor of trepidation concerning my future.”
— Stevens experiences a moment of rare personal uncertainty regarding his place in a changing world.
“Perhaps I am not a great man. But I have served a great man.”
— Stevens reflects on his own significance in relation to Lord Darlington.
“I am not a man who has ever been given to displays of emotion.”
— Stevens states his characteristic emotional reticence.
“It was a fine day, and I remember thinking, as I drove along, that there was a certain satisfaction to be had in being on the road.”
— Stevens describes a simple pleasure during his road trip, a rare moment of introspection on personal feeling.
“I suppose it is a professional hazard of my calling that I am unable to relax entirely whilst on duty.”
— Stevens explains his constant state of readiness and alertness, even during his 'holiday' trip.
“I can not quite shake off the feeling that I am, in fact, still on duty.”
— Stevens reflects on his ingrained sense of duty even when attempting to take a break.
“What is the use of a professional lifetime if one is not to be allowed to reflect upon it?”
— Stevens considers the value of his experiences and the need for contemplation.
“The evening's the best part of the day. You've done your day's work. Now you can put your feet up and enjoy it.”
— A casual remark from a stranger offers a perspective on life that contrasts with Stevens's constant duty.
“I fear I may have made a grave error in my life.”
— Stevens's poignant realization, near the end of the novel, regarding his emotional sacrifices and choices.
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Sir Kazuo Ishiguro is a Japanese-born British novelist, screenwriter, musician, and short-story writer. He is one of the most critically acclaimed and praised contemporary fiction authors writing in English, having been awarded the 2017 Nobel Prize in Literature. In its citation, the Swedish Academy described Ishiguro as a writer "who, in novels of great emotional force, has uncovered the abyss beneath our illusory sense of connection with the world".
