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So, after finishing the book, there is no doubt that Miss Kenton loved Stevens. My question is why? Stevens doesn't really show traits that I would find lovable, so I was curious as to what Miss Kenton saw in him. I have my own theories, but I would love to hear other viewpoints from the Goodreads Community!
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The Remains of the Day,
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Michiel
I asked myself this same question during reading. Although Miss Kenton was definitely one to appreciate the professionalism and quality with which Mr. Stevens conducted his work, that in itself does not seem enough to fall in love with him. Especially considering the inconsiderate and sometimes unpleasant way in which Mr. Stevens treated her.
However, I also believe that Mr. Stevens does not give a good portrayal of their relationship. Mr. Stevens' recollections mainly focus on their disagreements and how they grew apart. We are never shown the amiable nature or pleasant convsersation the two may have had during their daily parlor meetings. I am convinced that Miss Kenton and Mr. Stevens actually shared some connection during these meetings (even though Mr. Stevens will undoubtedly have remained very professional during them). Miss Kenton could probably see the man behind the butler in those instances, allowing her to fall in love with him. However, since Mr. Stevens does not consider such social interaction between them to bear any significance or relevance, he does not tell us anything about it.
Also, Mr. Stevens is a reasonable accurate narrator when it comes to describing what words were being said during a conversation. However, he is rather bad at conveying what emotions he himself showed during such conversations. There are a few instances in the novel where the people around Mr. Stevens explicitly comment on the emotional way in which he is behaving (such as the tears in his eyes when his father died or the way he storms through the halls when he hears Miss Kenton is leaving), while Mr. Stevens himself does not mention a word of such emotions. This leads me to believe that his attitude towards Miss Kenton would often be a lot more positive than what we can construe from his words.
Not until the very last chapter, we know Mr. Stevens actually cares for or even has feelings for Miss Kenton. When Miss Kenton mentions that she could imagine a different outcome with them being together, he shortly mentions to us readers that his heart broke at that instance.
So to come back to your question. I don't exactly know why Miss Kenton fell in love with Mr. Stevens. But I also believe that Mr. Stevens would not describe any such traits or any chemistry between the two in his memoirs, considering such information irrelevant.
However, I also believe that Mr. Stevens does not give a good portrayal of their relationship. Mr. Stevens' recollections mainly focus on their disagreements and how they grew apart. We are never shown the amiable nature or pleasant convsersation the two may have had during their daily parlor meetings. I am convinced that Miss Kenton and Mr. Stevens actually shared some connection during these meetings (even though Mr. Stevens will undoubtedly have remained very professional during them). Miss Kenton could probably see the man behind the butler in those instances, allowing her to fall in love with him. However, since Mr. Stevens does not consider such social interaction between them to bear any significance or relevance, he does not tell us anything about it.
Also, Mr. Stevens is a reasonable accurate narrator when it comes to describing what words were being said during a conversation. However, he is rather bad at conveying what emotions he himself showed during such conversations. There are a few instances in the novel where the people around Mr. Stevens explicitly comment on the emotional way in which he is behaving (such as the tears in his eyes when his father died or the way he storms through the halls when he hears Miss Kenton is leaving), while Mr. Stevens himself does not mention a word of such emotions. This leads me to believe that his attitude towards Miss Kenton would often be a lot more positive than what we can construe from his words.
Not until the very last chapter, we know Mr. Stevens actually cares for or even has feelings for Miss Kenton. When Miss Kenton mentions that she could imagine a different outcome with them being together, he shortly mentions to us readers that his heart broke at that instance.
So to come back to your question. I don't exactly know why Miss Kenton fell in love with Mr. Stevens. But I also believe that Mr. Stevens would not describe any such traits or any chemistry between the two in his memoirs, considering such information irrelevant.
Rick Presley
Mr. Stevens is the quintessential unreliable narrator as Michael mentions below. That is the charm of this book. The story is not what Mr. Stevens narrates, but he gives us sufficient clues that we can piece together the story.
Consider the death of his father and the emotional conflict to be both a dutiful son and a dutiful butler. It probably broke his heart at the time, but he rationalized it by stating that he did exactly what his father would have expected. His attention to duty was in fact a statement of, "I love you, Father," and Miss Kenton was demonstrably touched by that.
Also, his doubts and misgivings about the intent of the letter show a humanity he is unwilling to reveal himself in all but the most oblique way. This hints at a subtlety worthy of admiration. However, he wears his professionalism as armor that both insulates as well as isolates him. In the case of Miss Kenton, to his own demise, where he holds out a forlorn hope that even now it is not too late to get back together, although, regrettably (for him) it is. And so he puts the armor back on and heads back to what he knows, painful though it may be.
Consider the death of his father and the emotional conflict to be both a dutiful son and a dutiful butler. It probably broke his heart at the time, but he rationalized it by stating that he did exactly what his father would have expected. His attention to duty was in fact a statement of, "I love you, Father," and Miss Kenton was demonstrably touched by that.
Also, his doubts and misgivings about the intent of the letter show a humanity he is unwilling to reveal himself in all but the most oblique way. This hints at a subtlety worthy of admiration. However, he wears his professionalism as armor that both insulates as well as isolates him. In the case of Miss Kenton, to his own demise, where he holds out a forlorn hope that even now it is not too late to get back together, although, regrettably (for him) it is. And so he puts the armor back on and heads back to what he knows, painful though it may be.
Fenrir
Stevens is an ordinary person. So is Miss Kenton. And ordinary people fall in love.
A bit more elaboration: In his account of things, Stevens reveals to us not the reality of his own life, but the extent of his self-deception and his own refusal to acknowledge it, as well as his inability to shake off his own emotional repression. Behind the veneer of his speech, we find an ordinary man. Not a great butler who, through his service, changed the course of history for the better. Not even a great man, as he never really transitions into being his own man. But while he is no better than the rest of us, he is also no worse. Maybe he is a slightly sad figure, but one of us nonetheless. And why could he not be the object of love for some other, perfectly ordinary human being?
It’s sometimes hard to remember, especially when reading or watching a movie, as many of these stories insist that it is the beautiful, the accomplished, and the special who find love. But love is for everyone. Why not for Stevens and Miss Kenton?
A bit more elaboration: In his account of things, Stevens reveals to us not the reality of his own life, but the extent of his self-deception and his own refusal to acknowledge it, as well as his inability to shake off his own emotional repression. Behind the veneer of his speech, we find an ordinary man. Not a great butler who, through his service, changed the course of history for the better. Not even a great man, as he never really transitions into being his own man. But while he is no better than the rest of us, he is also no worse. Maybe he is a slightly sad figure, but one of us nonetheless. And why could he not be the object of love for some other, perfectly ordinary human being?
It’s sometimes hard to remember, especially when reading or watching a movie, as many of these stories insist that it is the beautiful, the accomplished, and the special who find love. But love is for everyone. Why not for Stevens and Miss Kenton?
Aimee
Maybe he was really good looking?
Janeen
It is a universal truth that women read men through a romantic lens. Grumpy is interpreted as repressed passion, a vague stare is interpreted as depth, etc. This dude had women down so right. He also had the emotional awareness of men nailed. Great book!
Alex Lewis
Mr. Stevens represses his emotions and feelings because he believes he must do so to remain a perfect butler. His insights are glimpsed but quickly buried. The tragedy of the lost love of Miss Kenton is by necessity narrated at a safe distance.
Huck Flynn
They are two lonely people working in close proximity. Perhaps she feels a bit sorry for him? Maybe she sees him as a safe bet, possibly a father figure? For Miss Kenton it would have been a very respectable and "suitable" match. Stevens is an unreliable narrator and not good at picking up subtle nuances in others so we are forced to conjecture or construe meaning out of his relating of conversations and overt actions of others.
Calle
I learned to appreciate that much about Stevens is only implied or left to informed guesses. Allthough Stevens's interactions with Miss Kenton do not in themselves answer your question, we know that they met regularly off duty, however innocently, and talked in a relaxed way over a cup of cocoa for a very long time.
The examples of their dialogues that Stevens brings up tends to focus on the mishaps and the strains and he comes across there as cold and unsympathetic. Though from Stevens own narration or inner dialogue, i myself find him really quite likeable: gentlemanly, intelligent and with some genuine ability to care, beyond the call of duty. He might also be a good looking, one at least assumes an impeccable exterior. There's also in him professional ambition and a certain toughness, qualities that women often seem to appreciate in men.
But I really only slowly grew to understand and like him, and for at least the first half of the book, i don't know if i really did. This really connects to what to me was perhaps the main theme of the book - the conflict of this kind of butler's dignity, though admirable and elegant at times and perhaps psychologically necessary for a butler, with human connectedness and relations. He has over time shown her enough of himself for her to more or less love him. And he deep down loves her as well, but it's unclear whether his self control even allowed him to admit that even to himself, let alone act on the emotions, until it was all too late. But maybe there is something attractive about this in itself? After all, it's not too attactive wen people won't deny themselves things or let their emotions run the show.
The examples of their dialogues that Stevens brings up tends to focus on the mishaps and the strains and he comes across there as cold and unsympathetic. Though from Stevens own narration or inner dialogue, i myself find him really quite likeable: gentlemanly, intelligent and with some genuine ability to care, beyond the call of duty. He might also be a good looking, one at least assumes an impeccable exterior. There's also in him professional ambition and a certain toughness, qualities that women often seem to appreciate in men.
But I really only slowly grew to understand and like him, and for at least the first half of the book, i don't know if i really did. This really connects to what to me was perhaps the main theme of the book - the conflict of this kind of butler's dignity, though admirable and elegant at times and perhaps psychologically necessary for a butler, with human connectedness and relations. He has over time shown her enough of himself for her to more or less love him. And he deep down loves her as well, but it's unclear whether his self control even allowed him to admit that even to himself, let alone act on the emotions, until it was all too late. But maybe there is something attractive about this in itself? After all, it's not too attactive wen people won't deny themselves things or let their emotions run the show.
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