the price of autonomy

Katheryn 2022-04-19 09:02:14

Butler Stevens is a special presence. On the one hand, he is an excellent steward, who manages a huge manor in every detail, and maintains elegance and calmness at all times; but on the other hand, his imagination of life is cramped and barren, which limits him The courage to pursue love and realize a broader vision of life.

In a sense, he was far from perfect as an actor, because two irreconcilable forces had created a deep tear within him. Is it step-by-step to be a good steward, or wholeheartedly embrace more life possibilities and become a better person? It was an irreparable conflict for Stevens: he always fulfilled the duty of a housekeeper, but the loss of another life cast deep regret in his heart. Ultimately, he became a broken actor.

As an ordinary person, what is so special about Stevens' existence? On the one hand he lives an autonomous life. His life may seem boring and meaningless to others, and even have to sacrifice his own personal freedom, but it is indeed the life Stevens is willing to choose. Therefore, this "have to" is not forced by the external environment (such as a poor family), but the result of his active choice. The underlying reason is that Stevens has a different judgment on the value of a housekeeping career to his personal life. Under the influence of his father, he made housekeeping his ideal career very early. Therefore, for him, serving the master and always prioritizing the master's interests is a meaningful thing. And this persistence in life is not only meaningful, but also has the elegance and nobility of persistence.

But on the other hand, the damage this kind of life has brought to his life is obvious. His heart burns with a longing for free love and the vast world beyond the manor. But as a lifelong steward, he had to suppress this idea again and again, until the end of the day and he sighed in vain. Therefore, although his life is autonomous, it is incomplete, because he does not face himself truthfully, and face his deepest desires and concerns.

If the life path we choose does not conform to the deepest concerns in our hearts, even if this kind of life is autonomous, it is only "superficial and partial autonomy". To make matters worse, if we continue to be paranoid on this path, the ability to open up another possibility is also diminished. This is an easily overlooked price of autonomy.

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Extended Reading
  • Jakayla 2022-04-24 07:01:14

    The British screenwriter's way of making characters, the ultimate character; using ordinary things to tell a more important thing, a story routine that is often told in class. But I really like it~ I am deeply impressed by the scene of robbing books in the dark, the erotic feeling is so strong

  • Cheyanne 2022-03-24 09:02:15

    The long days left scars, and I was so aggrieved that I wanted to commit suicide. The ultimate forbearance and the love that will always be buried in the grave in the bottom of my heart. The book robbing scene in the study is more intimate than the sex scene. Every time I watch this kind of film, I say that I don't want to watch this kind of film again, but it has always been the most attracted by this kind of feeling. I hate.

The Remains of the Day quotes

  • Sir Geoffrey Wren: So, gentlemen, you speak of Jews and Gypsies, Negroes, and so on so forth. But one has to regard the racial laws of the Fascists as a sanitary measure much overdue, in my opinion.

    Wren's Friend: But imagine trying to enforce such a rule in this country.

    Sir Geoffrey Wren: My Lord, my Lord, you cannot run a country without a penal system. Here we call them prisons. Over there they call them concentration camps. What's the difference? Ah, Stevens, is there any meat of any kind in this soup?

  • 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.