Search for notes by fellow students, in your own course and all over the country.
Browse our notes for titles which look like what you need, you can preview any of the notes via a sample of the contents. After you're happy these are the notes you're after simply pop them into your shopping cart.
Title: The Remains of the Day notes with quotations
Description: Quite detailed notes of The Remains of the Day by Kazoo Ishiguro. Notes are divided by chapter and include quotations as well as some analysis and explanation. Aimed at A-Level or Pre-U students, but suitable for anyone else studying the novel.
Description: Quite detailed notes of The Remains of the Day by Kazoo Ishiguro. Notes are divided by chapter and include quotations as well as some analysis and explanation. Aimed at A-Level or Pre-U students, but suitable for anyone else studying the novel.
Document Preview
Extracts from the notes are below, to see the PDF you'll receive please use the links above
The Remains of the Day
Implications of the title:
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
life and death
○ “day” life, joy, renewal of opportunity
○ new beginnings that follow the end
“Remains” something that cannot be fully repaired or put together again
the known and the unknown
○ cannot predict what the future will hold
○ “the day” linked to cycles
○ infinite cycle of day and night
culmination
memories
the passing of time
finality
○ despite the possibility of a repeated cycle, the title implies the finite nature of a day
sadness and nostalgia
○ nostalgic tone of title
○ reminiscing
○ thinking of the past, pain of memories, regret
○ “day” monosyllabic, simple and functional word, frequently used
○ “remains” grander in tone and use, more complex
○ juxtaposition of grand and simple?
○ clash of past and present
fragments and fractions “remains”
○ ruins Darlington Hall, relationship and feelings for Miss Kenton
■ decline of the gentry
■ no longer something that can be attained
endings end of an era
○ “remains of the day” twilight, literal ending of the day
“remains” can be preserved and cherished
○ the fact that there are some remains is positive
specifics of time now
○ day functions symbolically as life
dayling prime and productive time
○ fading finite amount of time, darkness to follow
○ remains time is running out, still something left
○ fleeting nature of time
○ sense of urgency about time running out
○ recapturing the remains of what is lost
General notes:
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
each chapter starts in the present, the digresses into the past
compression and expanding of the plot
both immediate and distant past are explored
left Darlington Hall late, partial reluctance to go
○ shocking for a person so precise and organised to be an hour late, évident sense of fear
mixed emotions about the trip “unease mixed with exhilaration”
moves into the unknown in relationship with Miss Kenton
the trip is a frightening experience for him
○ finds comfort in Darlington Hall
○ afraid of leaving the familiar
leaving the house functions at a symbolic level ready to move on
○ becoming free of the house and its restrictions
○ moving symbolically from order and obedience?
security and order is how he lives
○ fear about leaving that behind
Prologue
●
●
●
title of chapter gives a time and spatial setting
“prologue” introduction, not the real story
Stevens
○ scrapped of real identity, not specific
○ “Stevens” not his first name, his age is not given
○ preoccupied, “pondering” often deep in thought as seen in his meaningful and thoughtful
discussions of both his past and his present
○ struggles to interact with people of higher authority “bantering” is a problem
■ respectful and in awe of those above him in professional hierarchy
○ devoted to his role “utmost care in the devising of a staff plan”
○ empathetic character takes responsibility
○ “my anxiety” recognises his weakness and presents himself as an unsure character
○ clearly proud of his position as a butler
Main themes in prologue:
The Past, Miss Kenton
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
Stevens frequently mentions time and the past
Very vague measures of time “almost a fortnight ago”, “one afternoon”
○ not specified, as Stevens is afraid of time and time running out
His employer, Mr Farraday, in contrast, makes specific references to time
○ “finalized plans”, “for a period of five weeks between August and September”
Memories are presented in fragments, only showing one side of the story
...
Extreme emotional importance
and attachment “great”
...
Absolute commitment to perfection in his job
○ not “unduly boastful” truly proud of his professional accomplishments
○ spent “many hours” working on the staff plan his mind is centered on work
...
g
...
Entrenched in oldfashioned values
○ Supporter of keeping tradition “for tradition’s sake” admits that he is strongly attached to
tradition
○ Frequent mention of tradition “beyond their traditional boundaries”
■ reinforces his opinion on tradition and customs
○ “these changing times” accepts the gradual changing of customs, albeit in a disparaging and
reluctant way
○ Notices a direct correlation between the new and negativity “nowadays” he cannot share his
concerns with other butlers
■ unpleasant “new sort of duty” bantering
■ visits to the house are “most rare now” speaks of now in an unhappy tone
●
Has to find reassurance and justification in response to any emotion
○ “As you might expect”, “and why should I hide it” constant selfdoubt
○ “let me make it immediately clear” afraid that the reader will think something different to his
original intentions; afraid to be misunderstood
○ a need to clarify his statements “let me explain further”, “the fact is”
○ Wants to justify his emotion by making it seem normal “like many of us”
○ Unwilling to admit his own fear, hides his concern behind the impersonal “one”
○ “to one not accustomed” afraid to admit that he is worried, so expresses the subjective
through the objective
○ takes diversion from the original threat of thought “what had occurred was this”
○ gives lengthy descriptions, as if trying to distract himself from the factual narrative
○ Justification but no simple admission terrified of his emotion
●
Tension within him on one hand he is extremely organised, but there are frequent digressions in his
narrative, as well as contradictions
Laboured, longwinded writing style
Embellishes the trivial extremely observant of the outside world, but does not have acute observation
of himself
●
●
Day One Evening, Salisbury
●
●
●
●
●
References to time constant awareness of time; importance of time is reinforced in the chapter title
Says that he is “quite satisfied” with his day expression of emotion, but in a controlled and understated
manner
Obsessive attachment to the house as he leaves, reluctant to leave “almost an hour later than …
planned”; difficulty to leave Darlington Hall delays him
○ “wandered around the house many times over, checking one last time that all was in order”
extreme behaviour, considering that he is leaving for six days
Lack of emotion, excitement “I cannot say I was seized by any excitement or anticipation at all” still
looking backwards, extremely attached to the house, unable to relax
...
“looming spire” represents religion and God; possible that Stevens wants to seek out truth, religion,
God on his journey
Unable to give up his professionalism pedantic observation of the room in the inn
○ “very clean” and “perfectly adequate”; “a pair of goodsized windows”
Enjoys being treated like a gentleman
○ “perfectly adequate for my needs”
○ Does not correct the landlady who regarded him as “a rather grand visitor”
●
●
●
Comical discussion of greatness admires “lack of obvious drama or spectacle”
○ Hidden way of praising his own character
...
3245
Condescending tone, puts himself in a superior position, patronising
○ “You may not be aware of the Hayes Society”
○ Perhaps also trying to undermine the authority of this Society
Repeated use of “claim”, “attempt” disparaging attitude, jealousy, questioning why he is not a part of
the Society
○ “claim some credibility” not happy to acknowledge the Society, understating; dismissive tone
Derogatory tone seen in accusing the Society of “outdated thinking” ironic, as the reader associates
Stevens with oldfashioned values
Despite his contempt and disapproval of the society, he paid a lot of attention to it, can “quote accurately
from memory” can remember the exact words many years later
Failing to admit the importance of the Society in claiming “lack of enthusiasm” towards it
Makes an assumption that the reader will share his opinion “we agree”
Derogatory attitude towards the admitted butlers “merely extremely competent”
Repetition of “dignity” obsessed with the theme of dignity, maybe questioning his own
The passage about the Hayes Society is greatly factual lack of emotion, report
Continues to use rhetorical questions that involve an assumed answer
○ “Of course, this merely begs the further question: of what is ‘dignity’ comprised?”
Nostalgia for the past and the times with Mr Graham “most interesting debates” use of a superlative
is an outburst of emotion for Stevens
Justifies devoting his whole life and career to a goal it is worth to “meaningfully strive for”
Admits to having developed “fairly firms ideas” vague understatement, implies that he developed
some opinions but in actual fact his view is strong and unchangeable
Seeks for understanding from the reader “You will not dispute”
Pride, clear sense of respect felt towards his father “my father was … the embodiment of dignity”
Disapproving tone “superficial” and “decorative” qualities of butlers
○ “much too preoccupied with the ‘trimmings’”
Constantly objectifies his opinion using “objectively” and “one”
Adopts a condescending attitude when describing some people that “behaved like schoolboys”
Clearly admires the sheer professionalism of a butler who “accepted the request as though it were a
perfectly reasonable one”
Shows professional respect towards his father “immaculate courtesy” full of appreciation, generous
and extremely descriptive adjective
Careful and detailed description of qualities he admires and wants to have himself “equanimity”
○ Careful choice of words implies the care and deliberation with which he describes his father
The Hayes Society brings up ideas of old and new wealth only considers members of “distinguished
household[s]”
○ Strict distinction between aristocracy and inherited wealth and new wealth
○ Stevens’ father worked for new wealth, Mr John Silvers, an industrialist
●
●
●
Conundrum for Stevens wants to be regarded as belonging to aristocracy, be a ‘great’ butler
○ Wants to be something he criticises through criticism of Hayes Society
Uses his father to explore dignity retaining a sense of professionalism throughout a life
The tiger incident the tiger represents the wild, lack of control, otherness, foreign
...
Emptiness reflects Stevens’s loneliness “not a soul to be seen”, “no sound to be heard”, “in these
quiet moments as I wait for the world about to awake” waiting for the world to wake, not only alone but
truly lonely
No relaxation, no proper sleep extremely early waking hour “It was then still dark”
○ Anxiety from being away from Darlington Hall, consumed with thoughts of what’s ahead
○ Routine is instilled in him years of service, he is used to getting up in early morning
“mist affecting my view” highly symbolic of his personal view being affected
...
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
Still heavily preoccupied with the letter, “going over in my mind again passages from Miss Kenton’s
letter”
Gives an excuse for calling her Miss Kenton instead of Mrs Benn “have not seen her once since she
went to the West Country to become ‘Mrs Benn’”
○ the letter gave him “extra cause to continue thinking of her as ‘Miss Kenton’” desperately
clinging onto the past, wants to remember her as Miss Kenton
Anxiety over seeing someone again after such a long time
“sadly, … her marriage is finally to come to an end” purposeful and hopeful mention of the end of her
marriage
...
○ BUT this is not stated in her letter, “it would seem” imagining the best outcome
Confusion whether the letter “does not make specific the details” or “states unambiguously”
○ Contrast of “unmistakable message” and “general nuance” he is seeking a deeper meaning
Attempts to express his own feelings through what he imagines her emotions to be
○ “she is pondering with regret decisions”
○ “deep in middle age, so alone and desolate”
○ “returning to Darlington Hall would be a great comfort to her” is that his emotion or hers?
○ Masks his emotion through indirect expression
...
●
●
Miss Kenton is kind and considerate “If this is a painful memory, forgive me”
Clearly remembered, aesthetically pleasing view lyrical and poetic description of memory
○ “summer evenings” importance of evening, fond memories (“fondest memories”)
○ “each bedroom door stood ajar” missed opportunity
○ “Miss Kenton’s figure, silhouetted” admires her physique and elegance
...
I am happy to have
distractions kept to a minimum”
○ Attempt to separate the personal and the professional; ends up blocking out emotions
completely
Miss Kenton is strong, politely persistent, assertive
○ Reminds him of rules of the house
○ “accustomed to addressing underservants by their Christian names”
Stevens childishly points out her mistake “easy enough error”, “most understandable error” keen to
regain control and authority
○ Triumphant at the small win “a small smile”
...
Petty childish dispute “seemed to take the wind out of Miss Kenton’s sails”
Admires her “took her work very seriously”, although wary of youth “in spite of her youth”
●
●
The dustpan and brush; the silver
Eager to protect his father from professional accusations “a trivial, but irritating error”, “I found it hard
to credit such an error to my father”, “such trivial slips are liable to befall anyone”, “unwarranted fuss”
○ For once putting the personal above the professional despite his usual pedantic nature, he
calls this a “trivial slip” and does not want “unwarranted fuss” to surround this incident
○ “silver was one of my father’s main responsibilities and one he took great pride in” trying to
preserve his father’s dignity
●
●
The Chinaman
Set in the billiard room, surrounded by “sporting trophies”
○ Associated with triumph, winning, game, competition
Belittles her concern, trying to protect his father “It is hardly one [a matter] of urgency”
○ “ludicrousness of her position”, “being quite ridiculous”
Ironic that he considers this a “childish affair” but contemplates “departure via the french windows”
“Best strategy” clearly a premeditated game, a competition for him
...
Particularly difficult for him as he finds intimate relationships awkward
○ “beyond the call of duty” extent of Stevens’s loyalty to Lord Darlington
○ “geese”, “flowers and shrubs” no experience of personal relationships
...
… A classic English gentleman”
○ “international affairs today are no longer for gentlemen amateurs”
○ “The days when you could act out of your noble instincts are over”
○ “you here in Europe don’t yet seem to know it”
○ Condemning aristocracy; indicates the decline of the gentry as opposed to prosperity of
America, new money
Triumph, “loud murmur of assent with several ‘hear, hear’s’”
Lord Darlington’s response “met by the loudest burst of approval yet, followed by warm and sustained
applause” nationalist ideas
...
Nevertheless, I must now return
downstairs”
○ “return” this is a detour, temporary
...
No show of emotion
“You look as though you’re crying” Lord Darlington noticed his weakness
...
” Incredibly repressed emotion
○ Contrast with Miss Kenton “a sob escaped her”
○ The contrast exacerbates the lack of emotion seen in Stevens
Ironic, as he did not know his father, but says that “I know my father would have wished me to carry on
just now” masking his own feeling, his own awkwardness, inability to believe his father’s death?
●
●
●
“that night in particular, constituted a turning point in my professional development”
“at least in some modest degree a ‘dignity’
“For all its sad associations, whenever I recall that evening today, I find I do so with a large sense of
triumph”
Day Two Afternoon, Mortimer’s Pond, Dorset
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
Discussion of greatness and ‘dignity’
Accuses the Hayes Society of “unthinking snobbery” and being “outmoded” heavily ironic, as we
associate these qualities with Stevens
Describes the question of ‘dignity’ as a “matter close to my heart”
Makes a distinction between “our generation of butlers and those of the previous generation” ironic, as
he does not belong to the current generation
...
deception repetition of “mock” emphasises the deceitful nature of Stevens’s
narrative
Repetition of “caused embarrassment”
Stevens blames his behaviour on “the ways of this country”
○ “it is not customary in England for an employee to discuss his past employees”
Contrast between Stevens’s stifling formality and Mr Farraday’s more informal language “man” “OK”
Continues to lie to himself
●
●
●
●
●
●
Tries to persuade himself and the reader in Lord Darlington’s greatness
○ “utter nonsense” based on “complete ignorance”
○ “nothing vexes me more … than to hear this sort of nonsense being repeated”
○ “a stature to dwarf most of these persons”
○ “this sort of nonsense” repetition of “nonsense”, as if trying to convince himself
Attempt to justify “thirtyfive years’ service”
○ “my chief satisfaction derives from what I achieved during those years, and I am today nothing
but proud and grateful to have been given such a privilege” contradicts his behaviour
Day Three Morning, Taunton, Somerset
●
●
●
●
●
●
Condescending assessment of the inn “perfectly decent”, “perfectly satisfactory option”
Again mistaken for a “sir” obviously flattered, does not correct him
Clumsy attempt at ‘bantering’
○ “I thus searched my imagination and eventually declared” no natural talent, takes great pains
to come out with a remark
○ Feels a sense of responsibility, obligation very unnatural, stifled communication
○ “rather pleased with my witticism” and only “slightly disappointed it had not been better
received”
○ failure in bantering is tragic, he is not aware of his awkwardness
“devoting some time and effort over recent months to improving my skill in this very area”
○ Very unnatural, has no understanding of this
○ “studying this programme” taking the study of this ‘skill’ seriously enhances the pathos
○ “I have devised a simple exercise” , “a variation on this same exercise”
○ tragedy in his lack of ability to be funny, witty and lighthearted
Trying to integrate with the locals the failure has a strong effect on him, “disappointment”
“hazards of uttering witticisms” attempt to explain his inability to be witty by explaining the complicated
nature of this skill
●
●
●
Relaxed, able to admire and assess the surroundings
○ “spacious tearoom”, “enough tables to accommodate … two dozen people without a feeling of
crowding” still quite a professional angle
Aware of his ageing associated with the old age “my only companions are two elderly ladies”, “a
retired farmer”
“almost at the back wall” hidden, observing
●
●
●
●
Rapid movement into the past discussion of silver polish from ‘Mursden’
“Perhaps ‘Mursden’ will ring a bell for you, as it did for me” hints about the recipient of the confession
Talks compositely about the mundane silver polish
Obsession with having an impact on world politics “the state of the silver had made a small, but
significant contribution towards the easing of relations”
○ dark irony in having contributed to the improvement of relations between Lord Darlington and
Herr Ribbentrop he contributed to the downfall of aristocracy
●
Restlessly defends Lord Darlington “as though Lord Darlington was alone in believing Herr Ribbentrop
an honourable gentleman”; attempts to exonerate Lord Darlington
“most distinguished ladies and gentlemen in this country were quite enamoured of him”
“the most established, respected ladies and gentlemen in England were availing themselves of the
hospitality of the German leaders”
“the true climate of those times”
“salacious nonsense”
“Lord Darlington came to abhor antiSemitism; I heard him express his disgust on several separate
occasions when confronted with antiSemitic sentiments”
“one very minor episode” that has been “blown up out of all proportion” reminiscent of him defending
his father
Claims that Lord Darlington stopped being a Nazi “once the ugliness of the blackshirts’ movement
became apparent”
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
Catches himself going back into the past, but the memories do not stop, only become more elaborate
and expanded “But I drift”, “perhaps one should not be looking back to the past so much”
○ “It is essential, then, to keep one’s attention focused on the present”
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
Anxious to see Miss Kenton again
“reread” the letter “incidentally”
“wishful thinking of a professional kind” hiding his emotion; pitiful portrait
“I was a little surprised … at how difficult it was actually to point to any passage which clearly
demonstrated her wish to return” poignant development in understanding
Anxious “within fortyeight hours” nervous at the proximity
“some long minutes turning those passages over in my mind last night”
“landlord and his wife clearing up” unity in their relationship which exaggerates his loneliness
Day Three Evening, Moscombe, near Tavistock, Devon
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
Antisemitism
“I feel I should perhaps return a moment” disjointed narrative
“Since this allegation falls very directly into my own realm” sees attack on Darlington as a personal
attack
Desperate selfdeception “absurd allegations”, “quite ludicrously”, “brief, entirely insignificant”
○ but contrast with “few weeks” prolonged period of time
Extreme downplaying “her influence cannot be said to have been entirely negative”
○ Admission of negative influence, but he pulls back
○ “extremely minor” incidents
“truly surprised me”
Lord Darlington’s increasingly obvious antiSemitism:
○ “his instructing me to cease giving donations to a particular local charity”
○ “We cannot have Jews on the staff here at Darlington Hall”
○ “In the interests of the guests we have staying here”
○ “Of course, you’ll have to let them go”
Obsession with highlighting the professional nature of cocoa meetings
○ “overwhelmingly professional in tone”
○ “predominantly professional in character”
Attempt to separate personal and professional; blind devotion to Lord Darlington
○ “we must not allow sentiment to creep into our judgement”
○ “our professional duty is not to our own foibles and sentiments but to the wishes of our
employer”
Miss Kenton is clearly upset by the decision; questions Lord Darlington’s morality
○ “Mr Stevens, I cannot quite believe my ears”
○ “dismissed on the grounds that they are Jewish?”
○ Makes the matter very personal calling the maids by their names, “Ruth and Sarah”
Condescending tone when speaking to Miss Kenton
○ Understands that he is in the wrong, trying to score a victory?
○ “you are hardly well placed to be passing judgments of such a high and mighty nature”
○ “you and I are simply not in a position to understand”
Stevens afraid to lose Miss Kenton “This [the possibility of her resignation] did, I must admit, make me
a little concerned”
Hugely misreads her “I tended to tease her every now and again by reminding her of her threatened
resignation” enjoys power over Miss Kenton, inappropriate joke
○ “tended to make Miss Kenton go quiet … due more to embarrassment than anger”
Both Stevens and Lord Darlington see the error of their ways; guilt on personal and national level
○ “severed all links”, “true, ugly nature”
○ “no way of tracing them now, is there?”
○ “recompense them somehow”
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
Miss Kenton’s hints
“I recall a mist” lack of clarity; pathetic fallacy misreading Miss Kenton
○ “expanse of fog”
○ “I gave a laugh” but “Miss Kenton remained silent” heavily misreads her
“Miss Kenton’s figure” personal, intimate, sensual
○ “her profile outlined against a pale and empty background” dark, lost opportunity
“daylight too was rapidly fading” loss of opportunity, links to the title
Language of a couple “our”, “us”
Miss Kenton points out his lack of awareness, “You probably have no idea”
She admits her flaws and failings “Simple cowardice”
○ “that’s all my high principles amount to
...
○ Miss Kenton is able to admit fault
“You did wonders with that girl” Stevens starts to warm up, but professionally
“So many young women like her throw away their chances, and all for what” feminism; but necessity
to choose between family and career in the 1930s
...
What does?”
○ Stevens afraid to reveal his true thoughts and the product of his long musings on the topic
●
●
●
●
●
“Miss Kenton was in fact crying”
“peculiar sensation” too intimate for him
Unable to understand the announcement of her engagement repetition of “indeed”
She is trying to simplify the situation for him, puts it in professional terms
○ “I thought you should be informed of the situation”
“glaring up at me”
Stevens unable to confront her with his true emotion
○ “creating so much commotion in the kitchen” vs
...
Cardinal and Lord Darlington
“a look of surprised annoyance”
“Strictly confidential”, “confidentiality is of the utmost” loyalty lies with employer
“angry voices were being raised”
“his lordship shouting”
Mr
...
That will be splendid for you
...
I’m very sorry, I’m afraid the travelling has tired
me
...
The man tries to correct his faults “Don’t keep looking back all the time”
“The evening’s the best part of the day”; “make the best of what remains of my day”
Images of unity “families with children; couples, young and elderly, walking arm in arm” exacerbate
his loneliness
Admits his downfall “I was something of a sorry disappointment” in bantering
“in bantering lies the key to human warmth”
Title: The Remains of the Day notes with quotations
Description: Quite detailed notes of The Remains of the Day by Kazoo Ishiguro. Notes are divided by chapter and include quotations as well as some analysis and explanation. Aimed at A-Level or Pre-U students, but suitable for anyone else studying the novel.
Description: Quite detailed notes of The Remains of the Day by Kazoo Ishiguro. Notes are divided by chapter and include quotations as well as some analysis and explanation. Aimed at A-Level or Pre-U students, but suitable for anyone else studying the novel.