The Remains of the Day

After waking up early, Stevens waits for the guesthouse’s owner to check him out. While waiting, he thinks about the letter he received from Miss Kenton. He still refers to her as Miss Kenton, even if she is technically to be referred to as Mrs. Benn after her marriage. However, her letter suggested that “her marriage is finally to come to an end” (34), and Miss Kenton mentioned that she was staying with a friend rather than her husband. Stevens believes that Miss Kenton regrets her past decisions as she is now alone. To him, the sad details of the letter are confirmation that a return to her position of housekeeper at Darlington Hall would be “a great comfort to her” (35).

Stevens’s memories are kindled by an anecdote from Miss Kenton’s letter. In 1922, he hires Miss Kenton at the same time his father William came to work at Darlington Hall. The positions they took were made vacant after the previous underbutler and housekeeper ran away to get married, an act that Stevens considers very unprofessional, especially as the employees in question were experienced enough to know how to handle their departures better. Such departures can have “an extremely disruptive effect on work” (36), and those who depart in such a fashion are “a blight on good professionalism” (37).

Miss Kenton’s resume is very impressive. William’s resume is equally impressive, but he is now an old man, suffering from arthritis and other medical conditions. Miss Kenton notices that William struggles to carry out his duties; even if he was once an excellent butler, his powers are now “greatly diminished” (43). She is concerned that these minor mistakes and accidents are foreshadowing something serious. When she shares her fears with Stevens, he refuses to act. He insists that his father is a capable man.

A short time later, William carries a tray of refreshments across the garden to the summerhouse. Inside, Lord Darlington is sitting with two guests. William trips and falls, dropping the tray. The doctor tells Stevens that William is old and overworked; Lord Darlington gives Stevens the awkward task of reassigning his father’s duties. Stevens has an awkward, emotionally repressed relationship with his father in which they rarely share their true feelings. During this time, they “converse less and less” (47). Stevens tells William that he will be given new duties with less responsibility. In their stilted, formal discussion, William blames his fall on the ground. Later, both Miss Kenton and Stevens see William inspecting the ground outside the summerhouse for anything that might have tripped him.

The difficulties with William take place against the backdrop of an “important international conference” (52). In 1923, Lord Darlington hosts foreign dignitaries and ambassadors at the house. Lord Darlington is a keen follower of international politics. He believes the peace treaty signed after World War I—the Treaty of Versailles—was overly harsh on defeated Germany. He believes that the harshness of this treaty will greatly damage Germany, particularly the desperate, starving Germans. He believes “it does us great discredit to treat a defeated foe like this” (53). One such German was his friend and former enemy, Herr Karl-Heinz Bremann. In the hyperinflation and economic collapse of post-war Germany, Bremann shot himself. Lord Darlington takes his friend’s suicide as an impetus to act, so he hosts the conference to discuss the international relationships between countries. Though Lord Darlington was later discredited, Stevens will “never doubt that a desire to see ‘justice in this world’ lay at the heart of all his actions” (54).

The conference is not an official event. Many of the dignitaries are attending in informal, unofficial capacities. Most of them agree with Lord Darlington “that the situation in Germany should not be allowed to persist” (55), and the host hopes that any conclusions they might reach may be put to the British Prime Minister before an official conference later in the year. The staff at Darlington Hall prepares thoroughly for the guests’ arrival. During this time, Lord Darlington summons Stevens and—much to Stevens’s surprise—asks his butler to have a frank discussion with his godson Reginald Cardinal about “the facts of life” (60), by which he means sex. Cardinal is recently engaged and about to be married, so Darlington believes he needs to learn about the practicalities of married life, but he does not want to have this discussion himself. Stevens accepts the job. He makes two faltering attempts to talk to Cardinal but thankfully, for Stevens, the surrounding events get in his way.

Stevens welcomes a French man named Monsieur Dupont and an American politician named Mr. Lewis. Lord Darlington views Dupont as key to reversing the harshness of the Treaty of Versailles, as the French were the most vitriolic side during negotiations. Lewis seems to share Darlington’s ambition but warns that “Dupont hates Germans” (64). He is puzzled that the British do not seem to dislike the Germans as much as the French. Lord Darlington explains that, in his opinion, the British believe it is “unbecoming to go on hating an enemy like this once a conflict is over” (65). Soon, Darlington Hall is filled with people from around the world. The atmosphere, however, is tense. Dupont remains in “the foulest mood imaginable” (67) due to sores on his feet. During this time, William becomes ill. Stevens is too busy to stay with his father, so Miss Kenton offers to “attend to [Stevens’s] father” (70) while Stevens works. While Stevens works, he overhears Lewis warning Dupont that he is “being manipulated by his lordship and other participants at the conference” (71). Stevens relays this to Lord Darlington, and the following day, the mood at the conference reaches “a new level of intensity” (72).

During the conference, Stevens checks on William at regular intervals. William seems to always be asleep. When evening arrives, however, William is awake. He wants to know from Stevens whether he has “everything in hand” (72). Stevens assures his father that the conference is proceeding well. Unexpectedly, William’s thoughts begin to drift. He abandons his formal reticence to speak and addresses his son directly. William hopes he has been a good father and tells Stevens he is “proud” (73) of his son. Stevens reacts awkwardly, leaving the room to continue with the service. He resumes work on the last night of the conference.

The final dinner of the conference is punctuated by toasts from the guests. Lord Darlington thanks the attendees and shares his hope for “peace and justice” (74) across Europe. Dupont stands and, amid the awed silence of the guests, promises to do what he can “to encourage certain changes of emphasis in French policy” (75). In doing so, however, he describes his conversation with Lewis. He accuses Lewis of trying to derail the conference and finishes by thanking the host. Lewis takes the opportunity to deliver a toast of his own. He criticizes the “well-meaning, naïve hog-wash” (76) he has heard at the conference. He tells the guests that, though they may mean well, they are misguided amateurs. In a changing world, he explains, amateur diplomacy such as this should be avoided in favor of professionals. Lord Darlington diplomatically tells Lewis that he views their efforts as an honorable attempt to do what is right. The crowd applauds.

As the guests cheer Lord Darlington, Miss Kenton sends a message to Stevens: William is “very ill” (77). Stevens briefly visits William and learns that his father may have suffered a stroke. Then, Stevens returns to the diners. Though internally conflicted, he does not want to abandon his post. He serves wine, and, as he does, Cardinal and Lord Darlington ask whether he is well. Stevens blames his tiredness on “the strains of a hard day” (79). Miss Kenton tells Stevens that his father is dead. Stevens tries to process this as Dupont harangues him for fresh bandages for his worn-out feet. Stevens thanks Miss Kenton and says that he must continue to work, as that is what his father would have wanted. The doctor arrives and confirms that William died from “a severe stroke” (82).

In 1956, Stevens thinks again about the conference. He thinks about the night of his father’s death. To Stevens, his actions that night embody what it means to be a dignified butler. He still views that night “with a large sense of triumph” (83), even if the evening events were emotionally devastating on a personal level.