The Remains of the Day, by Kazuo Ishiguro

Characters
Darlington Hall	Others
Lord Darlington – previous employer Mr. Farraday – new employer, American Mr. Stevens – Butler Mr. Stevens Sr. – father Miss Kenton 1923 Conference: Herr Karl-Heinz Bremann Mr. Lewis – American Senator M. Dupont Sir David Cardinal Reginald Cardinal – son 1936-37, Unofficial meetings at Darlington Hall: Lord Halifax, Cabinet member, foreign secretary Herr Ribbentrop – German Ambassador	Hayes Society of Butlers Mrs. Carolyn Barnet – influenced Darlington to fire any Jewish employees Mascombe: Mr. and Mrs. Taylor – took in Stevens when ran out of gas Harry Smith Various other neighbors Dr. Richard Carlisle

For Discussion:

NOTE: The page numbers are from the paperback edition of the book.

1. Discuss Mr. Stevens and his personality and demeanor as a butler.  What did you think of his reaction when his father died?
2. Given the time in which this story took place and the expectations in England, could Stevens have acted any differently?  
3. On page 48, Stevens thought that coming back to Darlington Hall would console Miss Kenton after what he deemed as a life “dominated by a sense of waste.”   Do you think Miss Kenton would agree?
4. When Stevens was trying to talk to his father about cutting back on his duties, he talked about his father in the third person (see page 64-65).  What does this tell you about their personalities and relationship?
5. On page 179 when Stevens was reflecting on conversations with Miss Kenton where their relationship deteriorated, he thought, “There was surely nothing to indicate at the time that such evidently small incidents would render whole dreams forever irredeemable” (page 179).  Do you think is it common that small, insignificant events have large consequences?  Can you think of any examples?
6. Consider Mr. Stevens and Miss Kenton’s relationship.  For example, when she was hinting to him about his father’s slipping in his duties, was she motivated by kindness or other factors.    Had they been able to communicate better, would their relationship have been different?  More satisfying?
7. What did you think of Stevens’ assessment of Continentals?  For example, on page he thought, “…they are as a breed incapable of the emotional restraint which only the English race are capable of” (page 43).    Also, he had great difficulty with Mr. Faradays’ bantering which he thought, “…in the United States, no doubt, is a sign of a good, friendly understanding between employer and employee” (page 14).   What did you think about this description?
8. When he was visiting Moscombe and the Taylors, why did Stevens deliberately mislead them about his profession?
9. What did you think about the citizens of Moscombe?   One man, Harry Smith, had the reputation for getting people talking, and he said, “Whether people agree or disagree – and I know there’s not one soul in this room now who’d agree with everything I say – at least I’ll get them thinking” (page 190).  What did you think when you read this statement?  How does that fit in our political climate today?
10. After he left the town, Stevens had these thoughts: “Up to a point, no doubt, there is some truth in what he [Harry Smith] says: in a country such as ours, people may indeed have a certain duty to think about great affairs and form their opinions.  But life being what it is, how can ordinary people truly be expected to have ‘strong opinions’ on all manner of things…There is, after all, a real limit to how much ordinary people can learn and know…” (page 194).  What did you think about this statement?
11. There were several recurring themes throughout the novel.   What would you add?
1. Dignity:  This was very important to Stevens.  How would you define dignity? 
2. Aging:  Consider Stevens’ father.  Could you relate when he went and retraced his steps in the area where he fell and dropped the tray?  How do you think Stevens Jr. will age?
3. Knowing your place:  Both Miss Kenton and Stevens seemed to regret that their relationship did not evolve into more.  Could they have been able to step out of their “place” and connect?  What did you think when Stevens was being quizzed by Lord Darlington’s guests and he would not offer an opinion because it was “not his place.”
4. Duty:  When his father was dying, Stevens put his duty above his father.  Could he have done something different?
12. What did you think about Lord Darlington?  He worked so hard for what he thought was right only to discover he was being used by the Germans.
13. Is Stevens at fault for totally supporting Lord Darlington even when his efforts turned out to be misguided?  Should Stevens have tried to think for himself?
14. Were you able to easily follow the time line in the novel?  Did the author do a good job of helping you, the reader, follow along?
15. This author was recently awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature and this is one of his most popular books.  The Boston Globe said it was one of the best books of the decade.  Why?

*****

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