Human Relationships and Memory in Kazuo Ishiguro’s The Remains of the Day: A Critical Analysis

Abstract

This study offers a critical analysis of Kazuo Ishiguro’s The Remains of the Day, and focuses on its portrayal of human relationships, specifically those associated with the main character, Stevens. Ishiguro, a well-known figure in contemporary English literature, is known for his insightful exploration of missed opportunities, a theme central to this novel. Within the narrative, Stevens inability to express his love for Miss Kenton, represents one of these missed chances. Like Ishiguro’s other novels, this one shows a large interest in the relationship between individual and collective memory. This study adopts a character analysis approach to examine Stevens' personality throughout his life career at Darlington Hall. The analysis aims to highlight the complexities he encounters in his relationships and demonstrate how he becomes aware of them by the end of the novel. This self-awareness develops as Stevens reflects on his past, helping him identify the errors he made in his relationships. This paper is structured into three sections. It starts with an introduction which addresses Ishiguro’s status as a novelist, with special attention on his main novels, including The Remains of the Day. The second part discusses the relationships in the novel by conducting a textual analysis of its important passages. Finally, the paper ends with the conclusion which sums up the findings.