The Remains of the Day Politics (Fascism, Anti-Semitism, Englishness) Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #1

It is, I believe, a quality that will mark out the English landscape to any objective observer as the most deeply satisfying in the world, and this quality is probably best summed up by the term "greatness." (2.29)

For Stevens, Englishness is synonymous with greatness. This greatness is self-evident, he believes, to anyone, "any objective observer," even those who are not English.

Quote #2

Continentals are unable to be butlers because they are as a breed incapable of the emotional restraint which only the English race are capable of […]. In a word, "dignity" is beyond such persons. (2.56)

This is cringe-worthy, given all the associations of racism with Nazism in the novel, as well as the association of the word "dignity" with general human worth. C'mon, Stevens—you're better than this.

Quote #3

It was completely contrary to Lord Darlington's natural tendencies to take such public stances as he came to do and I can say with conviction that his lordship was persuaded to overcome his most retiring side only through a deep sense of moral duty. (3.105)

According to Stevens, Lord Darlington is a typical Englishman: someone who is typically restrained ("retiring"), but might be reluctantly drawn into public life not by passion or emotion, but by a sense of "duty."