Duty Flashcards
Stevens prepares the staff plan and his duty is liken to a generals duty.
I set about preparing for the days ahead as, I imagine, a general might prepare for a battle. I devised with utmost care a special staff plan anticipating all sorts of eventualities […]. I even gave the staff a military-style “pep-talk.” (3.192)
Stevens takes great pleasure in his professionalism, going so far as to compare it to going into battle. The battle metaphor also suggests a parallel between Stevens’s professionalism as a butler and the question of professionalism in Lord Darlington’s diplomacy.
His attempt to be dutiful to Farraday
Through ‘banter’ Ishiguro demonstrates how Stevens attempts to perform the duties Farraday may prefer.
Costume
being a butler is like playing some pantomime role; … a slight stumble, and the fade will drop off to reveal the actor underneath. (Stevens’ father had a slight stumble and that is what lead him to be demoted)
inhabit their professional role and inhabit it to the utmost’ they will not be shaken out by external events, however surprising, alarming or vexing. They wear their professionalism as a decent gentleman will wear his suit….
(brings in the question of class. At the beginning of his journey S comtemplates what kind of ‘costume’ he should wear for his journey)
Duty to serve a ‘distinguished household’ in order to be a dignified butler
a prerequisite for membership was that ‘an applicant be attached to a distinguished household.’
His duty to sacrifice being with his father, to work
When his father is dying, his ability to mask his emotions is considered a ‘turning point in my professional development’ allowing him to achieve ‘some modest degree of ‘dignity’’ worthy of, ironically, his father.
‘in the face of everything, at least in some modest degree of ‘dignity’ worthy of…. my father’
His duty to sacrifice love for his work
‘”Am I to take it,” she said, “that after the many years of service I have given in this house, you have no more words to greet the news of my possible departure than those you have just uttered?”
“Miss Kenton, you have my warmest congratulations. But I repeat, there are matters of global significance taking place upstairs and I must return to my post.” pg 229
“I say Stevens, are you alright there?…Not feeling unwell, are you?”
Sacrifice of love for work
‘work, work, and more work.’
‘’Indeed-why should I not admit it? - In that moment, my heart was breaking’’
Duty over morality/ honour
‘We cannot have Jews on the staff here at Darlington Hall.’
‘my every instinct opposed the idea of their dismissal. Nevertheless, my duty in this instance was quite clear…’
‘to dismiss Ruth and Sarah on these grounds would be simply - wrong?’
‘Surely I don’t have to remind you that our professional duty is no to our own foibles and sentiments, but to the wishes of our employer.’
