The thing about sexual repression is that sexual feelings are never totally repressed. They always manage to find weird ways of letting you know they still exist—hey, Freud built a career out of this.
In The Remains of the Day, these feelings emerge in mistakes unbecoming to the #1 Most Perfect Butler, Stevens. He never, ever expresses his true feelings—even to himself. He feels compelled to maintain his professional calm at all times, even when his father dies, and even when the woman he might love announces that she intends to marry another man. And, sadly, even though he tries to convince us (and himself) that sacrificing feelings for professionalism is necessary (even heroic!) we see the painful consequences of his repression throughout the novel.
Questions About Repression
- What are some admirable instances of emotional restraint in the novel? What are some instances where restraint doesn't seem to work so well?
- What is Stevens's attitude toward women? Toward female servants, including housekeepers and maids?
- How does Stevens act around Miss Kenton? What actions or statements indicate that his feelings for her may be more than just friendship?
- Do you think Stevens and Miss Kenton would have made a good couple? Would marriage have strengthened their friendship or weakened it, like Miss Kenton's relationship with her husband?
Chew on This
While emotional restraint may be admirable in professional life, it can seriously hamper one's ability to enjoy more intimate relationships.
Stevens and Miss Kenton's friendship endures precisely because they are not in a romantic relationship.