Comment on Contentment in the Remains of the Day

Comment on ishiguro's exploration of contentment

In the extract, the idea of contentment seems to drive a wedge between mr Stevens and ms Kenton. Stevens idea of contentment is completely tied to his profession as a butler, while miss Kenton is unable to comprehend that one can merely feel fulfilled by their profession alone. Therefore, their differing interpretations of what it means to be contented foreshadow the impossible uniting of these two characters. Ishiguro's discussion of of contentment as profession centric also reveals stevens's lack of awareness as the interaction between the two was in fact a desperate attempt on ms Kenton's part to prompt Stevens to express his feelings for her. As a result, ishiguro's exploration of contentment in the extract focuses on the subjectivity of contentment in various individuals.

The examination of contentment through stevens's point of view reveals an obsession with with his profession and a desire to strive to be a great butler at the expense of everything else. Ishiguro presents the protagonist as an individual consumed by his service as a butler to lord darlington, as seen by the way Stevens contentment is directly linked to lord darlington's achievements. This linkage is evident through the the constant juxtaposition of 'I' and 'he',which refers to lord darlington during Stevens reply to miss Kenton. Furthermore, the italisization of 'he' suggests an audible emphasis by Stevens on lord darlington further contributes to the importance of him in Stevens achievement of contentment.

However, as Ishiguro reveals Stevens's view of contentment, it also serves to highlight ms Kenton's misinterpretation of Steven's idea of contentment, hence reflecting their incompatibility due to the sad reality of their difference in desires. Miss Kenton, in a misguided attempt