Personal Worth In Remains Of The Day

10 Pages 2563 Words

s to think deeply about these things so that each of us may better strive towards attaining ‘dignity’ for ourselves” (p. 44). Stevens feels that a person’s worth is based solely upon his or her dignity and that dignity is measured by the moral standards that he or she upholds. That is, Stevens bases his dignity upon the caliber of his service and of his employer. As he comes to the realization that Lord Darlington was not of the highest moral caliber, then Stevens begins to wonder if the dignity, which he thought he had obtained throughout his career, was actually achieved. If Stevens has spent his life in the service of an immoral man then he did not make a positive difference in the world, but rather helped to service other—more evil—intentions. It is revelation which causes Stevens to want to deny any support which he may have given Lord Darlington—even if it was simply attending to his daily needs and furnishing hospitality for the guests at Darlington Hall.
Although Stevens does proclaim that “whatever may be said about his lordship these days—and the great majority of it is, as I say, utter nonsense—I can declare that he was truly a good man at heart, a gentleman through and through and one I am today proud to have given my best years of service to”, he contradicts his proud statement as he blatantly lies about his service to Lord Darlington (p. 61). The reason that Stevens feels the need to lie to the people who inquire after him and his service for Lord Darlington is because he realizes that he has not made a positive difference. He does not want to face these peoples’ judgment by admitting aloud to them that he served an evil purpose.
Stevens was never really in denial of who Lord Darlington was, but at the same time, he was never really in acceptance either. He recalls “absurd allegations”—mostly those of his employer being a Nazi—which were fueled by a few ‘ incidents....