Spotlight: Kazuo Ishiguro's Remains of the Day

Our Spotlight series regularly features an author or work studied in English and gives you prompts and ideas for your EE, IOP/FOA, WT1&2 or WA.

Ishiguro's novel offers excellent opportunities for exploring narrator (un)reliability, point of view, and dramatic irony in your next assignment. 

"... a subtle masterpiece of quiet desperation" 

FOA/IOP

Presentation: Stevens is adamant that ‘a butler of any quality must be seen to inhabit his role, utterly and fully’ as, to him it is much more than a ‘pantomime costume’ (p. 178). Discuss Stevens’ belief and how it is satirised by Ishiguro through the course of the novel.

Passage analysis: During his conversation with Stevens over the matter of ‘dignity’ (pp. 193-199), Mr Harry Smith observes trenchantly that ‘there is no dignity to be had in being a slave’ (p. 196). Discuss the irony of this statement in light of the novel as a whole.

Debate: Is Stevens a foolish dupe or a tragic hero?

Class Discussion: How far, and how effectively does the ending of the novel beginning on p. 252 ‘The pier lights…’ seem to bring the novel to a close? Separate the class into small groups of 3-5 students, with each answering a different prompt (8-10 min) . Each prompt serves to help answer the final question. Bring together for a final discussion (8-10 min).

Passage analysis: Look at the episode on pages 67-70 beginning ‘I rarely had reason to enter my father’s room…’ and ending ‘…some precious jewel he had dropped there.’ What does this passage reveal about Ishiguro’s narrative technique and how important the episode is to our understanding of Stevens?

Presentation /class discussion: Why is the novel entitled “The Remains of the Day”? If you opt for class discussion, break up the class into small groups. 3-4 minutes group discussion; 4-5 minutes whole group discussion; 2-4 minutes summing up of key ideas by you.

Debate: Does the narrative ultimately condemn Stevens for the choices he has made?

Radio interview / Oprah Winfrey: “Is the ending hopeful?” If you opt for radio interview, include 2-3 classmates. Each will serve to challenge the others in their interpretations. If you alone are being assessed for the IOP/FOA, then give your 2 classmates written prompts which challenge your position.

Presentation: How do the historical events, which underpin the novel, give a shaping power to the meaning of Stevens’ reflections? (One historical event: the story takes place in July 1956, the same month and year as the Suez Crisis).

Presentation: How effective and reliable is Stevens as a narrator? Discuss this question, paying particular attention to Ishiguro’s role in crafting his character.

WT1

Pastiche: Mimic the style and perspective that Ishiguro uses to create dramatic irony.

Editorial: Was Lord Darlington’s fall from grace aided and abetted by the blind sense of propriety and duty found in pre-war England — a country of stark class differences?

Diary: Miss Kenton records her love but also frustration with Stevens.

Tabloid: ”Butler Claims 'No Regrets' after Serving Nazi Master”-

WT2

Q. 1 "How could the text be read and interpreted differently by two different readers?"

Consider how the novel might be interpreted differently by a Marxist critic and a Post-Colonial critic? Review the different schools of interpretation in another article.


Q. 3 "How and why is a social group represented in a particular way?" 

Consider Ishiguro’s choice of main character — a Butler. To what purpose does Ishiguro reproduce and complicate some of the stereotypes of the English butler?

EE

Exploration of motif: Ishiguro’s characterisation of Stevens’ through the use of the ‘laugh’.

Discuss and analyse the use of English landscape as a symbol in the novel.

Explore notions of “Englishness” as defined and conveyed by Ishiguro. What is the overall message?

Exploration of theme: A dominant, yet subtle theme that is played out in the novel is the concept of ‘seeing and blindness’, both literally and metaphorically.

Discuss how the contrast of light and darkness in the novel contributes to theme.

Applying (post-colonial) literary theory: In what ways is Stevens the ideal colonial subject?

“Ideals, Ishiguro shows us, can corrupt as thoroughly as cynicism. ” Salman Rushdie. Show how this is true in the novel.

Resources

- Article:  Salman Rushdie discusses major themes (The Guardian)
- Podcast: The author himself. (Guardian Book Club Podcast)
- Podcast: Ishiguro speaks with Harriet Gilbert on BBC World Book Club

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