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A Goodreads user asked this question about The Remains of the Day:
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!
Michiel I asked myself this same question during reading. Although Miss Kenton was definitely one to appreciate the professionalism and quality with which Mr.…moreI 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.(less)
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The Remains of the Day
by Kazuo Ishiguro (Goodreads Author)
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