Miss Kenton and Steven's relationship Flashcards
Miss K had a great ‘affection’ for him and the house.
‘Miss Kenton with her great affection for this house, with her exemplary professionalism’
Stevens thinking about senior employers who leave to get married.
‘marrying amongst senior employees can have an extremely disruptive effect on work…I do not have Miss Kenton in mind at all when I say this.’
heartbreak for Stevens :(
‘’Indeed-why should I not admit it? - In that moment, my heart was breaking’’- Stevens, pg 252.
Mr Stevens facade that he continually wears.
‘’Why, Mr Stevens, why, why, why do you always have to pretend?’’ Kenton, pg 162
Miss K admitting that she is a coward but she couldn’t leave Darlington hall or Mr Stevens.
‘’Had I been anyone worthy of any respect at all, I dare say I would have left Darlington Hall long ago… “ Kenton, pg 161
Miss Kenton on the maid Lisa leaving work for marriage,
Indeed… Such a waste, as you say.’ - LD was a ‘poor waste’
Stevens thinks that Miss K is like him and is willing to sacrifice a family for her professionalism.
“Miss Kenton’, I assured him, “is a devoted professional. I happen to know for a fact that she has no wish for a family.” Stevens, pg 179
the Loss of Miss K would be of magnitude not to the house but to him, although he can’t admit it.
‘’constitute a professional loss of some magnitude,’’ Stevens, pg 180
Miss K recognising that sometimes she has regrets about what she could have had with Mr S.
‘’ “What a terrible mistake I’ve made with my life… For instance, I get to thinking about a life I may have had with you, Mr. Stevens.
the motif of Miss K outline that he can recognise - sexual.
‘…I would have been able to identify her only by her outline.’ pg 82
even when she is leaving, he cannot let go of his pretence and she gets annoyed at his dismissal of her.
‘”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?”
Mr Cardinal to Stevens upon hearing the news of Miss Kenton’s engagement.
“I say Stevens, are you alright there?…Not feeling unwell, are you?”
Stevens has an emotionally empty life in front of him, but he convinces K that he is too busy with work to realise.
“Well, whatever awaits me, Mrs Benn, I know I am not awaited by emptiness. If only I were. But oh no, there’s work, work and more work.” Stevens speaking to Miss Kenton. pg 249
Miss K realising that regrets are pointless, and that she must look forward in her life.
After all, there’s no turning back the clock now. One can’t be forever dwelling on what might have been.’’ Kenton, pg 251
Stevens’ stubbornness
Eventually, then, I decided the best strategy would be simply to stride out of the room very suddenly at a furious pace…execute a march
(military language)
