Anglistics Study Programme SEJ 6 Speaking Week 15

Anglistics Study Programme SEJ 6 Speaking Week 15 Notes Anglistics Study Programme www. singidunum. ac. rs/admission

Anglistics Study Programme • Kazuo Ishiguro’s “The Remains of the Day” – going over reader • Book written in the late 80’s but set in two time periods-the interwar period, and several years after WWII • The setting is almost exclusively at Darlington Hall, though our protagonist does take a trip in the more ‘modern’ time

Anglistics Study Programme • Stevens-never addressed by first name • Lord Darlington-his employer for many years • Mr. Farraday-an American who purchases Darlington Hall in later years • Miss Kenton-Stevens’ love interest, though the book is written so subtly that it has to be felt (Stevens imagines her alone, desolate, deep in old age now) • Stevens’ father also has a small but significant role • Various ‘gentlemen’ (and butlers) are mentioned

Anglistics Study Programme • Some parts which stand out in this first person narrative (is Stevens’ a reliable narrator? ): • What defines a ‘great’ butler? The Hayes Society • The anecdotes passed on to him by his father • The concept of ‘dignity’ • The tone of Miss Kenton’s letter • Her arrival at Darlington Hall-and her relationship with Stevens and his father

Anglistics Study Programme • Stevens believes Lord Darlington to have been truly good at heart-a gentleman through and through • The embarrassing episode for/with his father • Stevens’ encounter with locals on his trip • The conference of March 1923 -the moment when Stevens demonstrated capacity for ‘dignity’ in his career

Anglistics Study Programme • Lord Darlington’s friendship with Herr Karl. Heinz Bremann stemming from WWI (it does us great discredit to treat a defeated foe like this’) • The difficulty in finding a ‘balance between attentiveness and the illusion of absence’ when tending to two diners • Lord Darlington’s ‘desire to see an end to injustice and suffering’

Anglistics Study Programme • The need for one French gentleman with unambiguous influence over his country’s foreign policy • Stevens’ father shedding 20 years when hard at work • Sir David Cardinal • ‘I sensed something odd, something duplicitous perhaps, about this apparently charming American gentleman’

Anglistics Study Programme • ‘it is unbecoming to go on hating an enemy like this once a conflict is over. ’ • Mr. Lewis and his almost constant proximity to M. Dupont • M. Dupont’s need for a doctor vs. Stevens’ father’s need for a doctor • The final interaction between Stevens and his father • M. Dupont’s speech-calls out Mr. Lewis (who responds in kind)

Anglistics Study Programme • Mr. Darlington’s response-stating that he believes what Lews describes as ‘amateurism’ is still preferred to be called by ‘honour’ among most of those present • Interaction with young Mr. Cardinal-’treaties and boundaries and reparations and occupations’ • Hayes Society is mentioned again-how butlers of his father’s generation would see the world in terms of a ladder-but Stevens’ believes it would be seen more as a wheel for his generation

Anglistics Study Programme • ‘association with a truly distinguished household is a prerequisite of ‘greatness’. • Stevens being mistaken –almost? For a gentleman-yet denies (? Or just doesn’t respond to) association with Lord Darlington • The Wakefields: ‘you’re the real thing aren’t you? ” (a proper butler, not just a waiter pretending to be one)

Anglistics Study Programme • The expectation of a witty retort as per Stevens’ new boss’s tendencies-bantering • The commentary on the proper type of polish for shining silver-used by all discernable butlers of the time • Herr Ribbentrop • Was Lord Darlington anti-Semitic? • ‘we butlers should aspire to serve those great gentlemen who further the cause of humanity’ and ‘the individuals who express skepticism invariably turn out to be the most mediocre of our profession’

Anglistics Study Programme • Mrs. Carolyn Barnet’s influence on Lord Darlington • Jews on staff at Darlington Hall • Ruth and Sarah • Miss Kenton’s reaction and later shame of herself • Lisa-could Stevens fear a distraction? • Stevens reading a romance novel

Anglistics Study Programme • Miss Kenton opening up about meeting with ‘an acquaintance’ of hers-Stevens’ reaction-her counterreaction • Stevens: ‘my vocation will not be fulfilled until I have done all I can to see his lordship through the great tasks he has set himself. ’ • The end of the evening meetings between Stevens and Miss Kenton • The turning point-the death of Miss Kenton’s aunt

Anglistics Study Programme • Mr. Harry Smith, his talk about society (also Dr. Carlisle) • ‘dignity’s something every man and woman in this country can strive for and get…not just something for gentlemen’ • ‘I tended to concern myself with international affairs more than domestic ones. Foreign policy, that is to say. ’ –Stevens, speaking of his past

Anglistics Study Programme • Harry Smith: ’England’s a democracy, and we in this village have suffered as much as anyone fighting to keep it that way’ • 1935 memory of Mr. Spencer interrogating Stevens for his opinions on world events, and Stevens being unable to be of assistance on this matter’-and the conclusion that the common man isn’t able to understand such matters

Anglistics Study Programme • Lord Darlington: ‘we’re always the last…to be clinging on to outmoded systems…democracy is something for a bygone era. ’ • ‘look at Germany and Italy, Stevens. See what strong leadership can do if it’s allowed to act. None of this universal suffrage nonsense there. ’ • In the present day, Stevens is relieved to unveil himself to Dr. Carlisle and reveal his true identitydoctor: ‘people feel they ought to have strong feelings on this and that…but really they’re no different from people anywhere. They want a quiet life. ’

Anglistics Study Programme • Sir David Cardinal’s young son-was it a betrayal? • The eventual meeting with Miss Kenton. Her admission that she did not love her husband at first, but eventually grew to do so. • ‘I get to thinking about a life I may have had with your, Mr Stevens…one can’t be forever dwelling on what might have been. One should realize one has as good as most, perhaps better, and be grateful. ’

Anglistics Study Programme • Stevens needing to unburden himself-says of Lord Darlington ‘He chose a certain path in life, it proved to be a misguided one, but there, he chose it, he can say that at least. As for myself, I cannot even claim that…I can’t even say I made my own mistakes. ’ • ‘the evening’s the best part of the day’ • Stevens decides to adopt a more positive outlook and make an effort to learn some bantering