The Remains of the Day

So, the long days has allowed me to not just finish the book, but also immediately following, watched the movie adapted from this book.

Let's talk about the book. I thought it was an interesting read and held my attention to the very last page. The conversations and internal dialogues of Mr Stevens (the protagonist, who is an old English butler) is very English, indeed. The formalities added all the more the his rigid and restrained character. His fervent loyalty to his master, and his unwavering quest in pursuing dignity comes across as respectable, but also regrettable. For in the process, there are much lost possibilities and even grievous moments that can only be felt by the outsider.

I liked the first person narration and how the scenes travel between the present and his memories. His internal dialogues effectively brought across Mr Steven's restrained character and he overpowering emphasis on exercising dignity. I think this part of his is endearing, perhaps because it seems silly, to be executing duties with his high principle. The fact that he was a butler and his areas of concern were the of the mundane, made the conversations with the house servants and his own internal monologue even more amusing. With discussions of world and war affairs looming in the background, the contrast of the mundane day to day cleaning and upholding of dignity seems of little significance. The book is saddening, because in his recollection of memories, it seems he was unaware of Ms Kenton's feelings, or perhaps chose it shut it out. What remains in his flashbacks of interactions with Ms Kenton were but rational observations, lifeless without assessments of his own and Ms Kenton's emotions.

Let me digress a little, Mr Stevens pursuit of dignity brought to mind another character in 鲁迅's 《骆驼祥子》.祥子 also displays the silliness of being fixated on one thing and unwavering in his pursuit. He bore resemblance to Mr Stevens because 祥子is obsessed with his rickshaw and this has become the motif in the plot. While Mr Stevens is obsessed with his craft and sought to achieve high moral, 祥子is obsessed with material and sought to improve his living. And it leaves me to feel for them. 傻. This word best describe them, in my opinion. And of course such obsessions have to end with some regretful feelings that perhaps plague the audience more than the character himself. Hence it could only mean the character will continue the pursuit of his quests, for he has already given up much and that was the only thing to anchor his living. 呜呼哀哉！

Back from digression... (Goodness...)

Another scene that left an impact was Mr Steven's father's death. His father (Also a butler) died while Mr Stevens was on duty hosting international delegates at Darlington's hall. In the midst of his father's last moments, he was to execute his duties with pride. Getting warm water for a guest's sore feet, ensuring the proper running of the dinner, taking in jokes from Mr Cardinal etc. At the end of the day he did not even see the last moments of his father's death, and yet, to him that marks the most triumphant day of his life, for he preserved dignity. The chapter was rhythmic with many interruptions for Mr Stevens, amidst eavesdropping on his guests, numerous guests requests, Mr Kenton updating his from time to time on his father's conditions. This sort of grandeur and laughter from all around accentuated the grief of Mr Steven's impending passing. The real punch to the heart was, when Mr Stevens marks the day as the most triumphant day of his life. 以喜写悲倍增其悲！

The final scene in discussion would be when Lord Darlington invited Mr Stevens into the studies only to be ridiculed by his guests to prove a point.

The gentleman in question went on gazing at me for a moment without changing the somewhat languid posture he had adopted in his armchair. Then he said:
‘My good man, I have a question for you. We need your help on a certain matter we’ve been debating. Tell me, do you suppose the debt situation regarding America is a significant factor in the present low levels of trade? Or do you suppose this is a red herring and that the abandonment of the gold standard is at the root of the matter?’ 

I was naturally a little surprised by this, but then quickly saw the situation for what it was; that is to say, it was clearly expected that I be baffled by the question. Indeed, in the moment or so that it took for me to perceive this and compose a suitable response, I may even have given the outward impression of struggling with the question, for I saw the gentlemen in the room exchange mirthful smiles. 

‘I’m very sorry, sir,’ I said, ‘but I am unable to be of assistance on this matter.’
I was by this point well on top of the situation, but the gentlemen went on laughing covertly. Then Mr Spencer said: 

‘Then perhaps you will help us on another matter. Would you say that the currency problem in Europe would be made better or worse if there were to be an arms agreement between the French and the Bolsheviks?’ 

‘I’m very sorry, sir, but I am unable to be of assistance on this matter.’ 

‘Oh dear,’ said Mr Spencer. ‘So you can’t help us here either.’ 

There was more suppressed laughter before his lordship said: ‘Very well, Stevens. That will be all.’ 

‘Please, Darlington, I have one more question to put to our good man here,’ Mr Spencer said. ‘I very much wanted his help on the question presently vexing many of us, and which we all realize is crucial to how we should shape our foreign policy. My good fellow, please come to our assistance. What was M. Laval really intending, by his recent speech on the situation in North Africa? Are you also of the view that it was simply a ruse to scupper the nationalist fringe of his own domestic party?’ 

‘I’m sorry, sir, but I am unable to assist in this matter.’ 

‘You see, gentlemen,’ Mr Spencer said, turning to the others, ‘our man is unable to assist us in these matters.’ 

This brought fresh laughter, now barely suppressed. 

‘And yet,’ Mr Spencer went on, ‘we still persist with the notion that this nation’s decisions be left in the hands of our good man here and to the few million others like him. Is it any wonder, saddled as we are with our present parliamentary system, that we are unable to find any solution to our many difficulties? Why, you may as well ask a committee of the mothers’ union to organize a war campaign.’

There was open, hearty laughter at this remark, during which his lordship muttered: ‘Thank you, Stevens,’ thus enabling me to take my leave.     

This is perhaps where most dignity is lost yet Mr Stevens is ignorant to his being ridiculed.

It just dawn on me that, Mr Steven's pursuit of dignity has been misguided. He works on all the technicalities of his craft and focuses on his butler-ship. This anchored him, yet end day, he lost all essence of dignity. He married his craft.

That was why it was regretful when he finally realized his lost possibilities of relationship with Ms Kenton:

“I do not think I responded immediately, for it took me a moment or two to fully digest these words of Miss Kenton. Moreover, as you might appreciate, their implications were such as to provoke a certain degree of sorrow within me. Indeed- why should I not admit it? - at that moment, my heart was breaking.

Perhaps the happier tone to the sad ending is his realization at the end that:

“Perhaps it is indeed time I began to look at this whole matter of bantering more enthusiastically. After all, when one thinks about it, it is not such a foolish thing to indulge in - particularly if it is the case that in bantering lies the key to human warmth.” 

I decided I liked the book more than the movie, for the monologues and flashbacks of Mr Stevens created a butler persona that is so endearing. The essence of some of his 内心活动 is lost on screen. Well, if you have reached this sentence, either you are a fan of this book, or you're dignified enough to pull through what you begun.

Cheers, to the remains of the day.