A critical commentary on The Remains of the Day
The last few pages of the novel are about Mr Stevens once again reflecting on the past but also on the future and dealing with the fact that he has lost his chance with Miss Kenton (Mrs Benn) and there is nothing to look forward to in his future but to live his life working at Darlington hall for Lord Faraday.
The key theme in the last chapter is the future and how Steven will move on. Ishiguro uses the foreshadowing to show how Stevens future will be until his retirement three years ago, he had been a butler the use of the slightly older butler gives us an insight into how life will be like after his trip and his life after retiring at Darlington Hall. Youve got to keep looking forward, Look at me. Been happy as a lark since the day I retired. These turn of events also have foreshadowed what happened to his father earlier in the novel where he used to be a great butler but he slowly deteriorated and regretted not showing how much he loved his son, which is what is happening to Stevens Ive given what I had to give. he regrets not telling Miss Kenton how he felt about her and he s made many mistakes but it seems he wont follow the same path his father did.
He learns how important human affection is it is not such a foolish thing to engage in and how much he has missed out because of his lack of emotions they are laughing together merrily. It is curious how people can build such warmth among themselves so swiftly. He missed out on a life with Miss Kenton.
Symbolism of evening times connects with Stevens life the evening is the most enjoyable part of the day. I should cease looking back so much, that I should adopt a more positive outlook and try to make the best of what remains of my day. Evening represents his life how one part of it is gone and he cant get it back (Miss Kenton, trusting in Lord Darlington) but like the evening all that is put away to start a new day, Stevens has turned a new leaf and is starting a fresh. I will begin practising with renewed effort.
Stevens also learns that he made many important mistakes I cant even say I made my own mistakes, which was him looking at himself as a person and seeing that he had been wrong. But he reflects on what the stranger said and decides that he wont give up I will begin practising with renewed effort, which is a key message in the novel to learn from your mistakes and move on much how he continued after his fathers death. He decides to try his best to be the best he can be and try harder to please Mr Faraday by the time of my employers return, I shall be in a position to pleasantly surprise him.
But some habits die hard there is little choice other than to leave our fate, ultimately in the hands of those great gentlemen who are at the hub of the world. Stevens will continue to be a very professional butler but with a brighter personality and outlook on life.
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