The Remains of the Day

Content Warning: This section of the guide contains discussion.

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. What was your overall impression of Stevens as a narrator and character? What struck you most about his worldview, his reliability, and the way he presents himself?

2. How does The Remains of the Day compare to Ishiguro’s other works like Never Let Me Go, particularly regarding themes of regret and missed opportunities?

3. Which moments in the novel resonated with you most deeply? Why?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Stevens defines himself entirely by his role as a butler. What aspects of your identity do you consider most central to who you are?

2. Dignity is Stevens’s guiding principle. What does dignity mean to you personally, and how does your definition overlap—or diverge from—his?

3. When have you had to adapt to social or professional expectations that were outside your comfort zone, similar to Stevens’s attempts at “bantering”?

4. Stevens remains loyal to Lord Darlington even when others question that choice. Have you ever stayed loyal to someone despite external doubts? What motivated you?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. In what ways does Stevens’s struggle to adapt mirror the broader societal changes in post-WWII Britain?

2. The novel presents Lord Darlington as naive rather than malicious in his Nazi sympathies. What does this portrayal suggest about how some upper-class Britons perceived Nazi Germany?

3. Stevens takes pride in serving during what he considers “history-making” events at Darlington Hall, yet his role is peripheral. What perspectives does the novel therefore offer about class and power?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. Stevens maintains his professional composure even during his father’s death and his final meeting with Miss Kenton. What effect does this emotional restraint have on both his character and the novel’s tone?

2. The novel’s dual journey structure—Stevens’s physical trip to Cornwall and his internal journey of reflection—drives the narrative. How is this reflected in the novel’s key themes?

3. Stevens is an unreliable narrator. Which moments in the book made you question his version of events or his sense of self? 

4. How does Stevens’s definition of dignity evolve throughout the novel?

5. What does Darlington Hall symbolize?

6. What techniques does Ishiguro use to reveal emotions and truths that Stevens leaves unspoken?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Write Stevens a letter of advice. What would you encourage him to consider or do?

2. How might the story differ if The Remains of the Day were set in today’s world rather than post-WWII Britain? What elements would translate, and what would need to change?

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