Love and freedom are not important to him

Jason 2021-12-31 08:02:27

In my opinion, the name of the movie "Remains of The Day" is better than any of its Chinese translations, because the definition of "remains" in the dictionary is parts of something that are left. The reason why the actor Stevenson has only a remnant of his long years is because there is no Miss Kenton.
At the beginning of the film, it is said that Mr. Stevenson, the butler of the Arrington mansion home, hates the "fornication" among the servants the most, because this will make the life of the house change from peaceful and regular to uneasy. When interviewing Kenton, the housekeeper, he told her this, and she also kept it in her heart. In the following years of constant getting along, they went from friction and conflict to developing a tacit understanding of each other, and their feelings became deeper and deeper. Although generally speaking, the two of them are more tolerant and restrained in terms of feelings, which keeps the love that could have grown in their hearts all the time; but in contrast, Miss Kenton still lives more flesh and blood. Although she has never directly revealed her love for Stevenson, she has hinted at Stevenson time and time again, and waited for Stevenson at several turning points in her life. I can see that she has done her best.
Once, they talked in the flower room about two Jewish girls who were driven away by the Duke of Darlington. They had to leave just because of their status. Because he failed to prevent this from happening, Mr. Stevenson said he was very guilty. Miss Kenton was unexpectedly emotional at the time, shouting "Do you have sympathy and guilt? If you do, but you don't say, who can know?"
Isn't their feelings like this?
Some people may think that butler Stevenson sacrificed his personal feelings because of the restraint and tolerance of a traditional English gentleman, but I think otherwise. His restrained restraint is only because he values ​​his identity and secular perspective. It’s about love; but she is looking for freedom. In fact, how can two people with such different pursuits be happy even if they are together? Everyone's pity for him and their love was actually caused by the actor's affection.
I like that short comment: She lives like a person, with the freshness of life flowing through her body; and he is just an old grave silent in the twilight.

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Extended Reading

The Remains of the Day quotes

  • Miss Kenton: [about a new housemaid] You don't like having pretty girls on the staff, I've noticed.

    [teasing]

    Miss Kenton: Might it be that our Mr Stevens fears distraction? Can it be that our Mr Stevens is flesh and blood after all and doesn't trust himself?

    Stevens: [with the faintest trace of a smile] You know what I'm doing, Miss Kenton? I'm placing my thoughts elsewhere as you chatter away.

    Miss Kenton: ...then why is that guilty smile still on your face?

    Stevens: Oh it's not a guilty smile. I'm simply amused by the sheer nonsense you sometimes talk.

    Miss Kenton: It *is* a guilty smile. You can hardly bear to look at her. That's why you didn't want to take her on, she's too pretty.

    Stevens: Well, you must be right Miss Kenton, you always are.

  • Miss Kenton: I don't know what my future is. Ever since Katherine, my daughter, got married last year, my life has been empty. The years stretch before me and if only I knew how to fill them. But, I would like to be useful again.