How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
[…] my pondering over the implications of Miss Kenton's letter finally opened my eyes to the simple truth: that these small errors of recent months have derived from nothing more sinister than a faulty staff plan. (1.9)
We readers can probably see through Stevens's remarks here as easily as Mr. Farraday, his new American employer. The "simple truth" of Stevens's feelings for Miss Kenton eludes him; he thinks it's just a question of a "faulty staff plan." Yeah, right.
Quote #2
[…] what I find a major irritation are those persons—and housekeepers are particularly guilty here—who have no genuine commitment to their profession and who are essentially going from post to post looking for romance. (3.14)
These comments seem a bit sexist: women don't make good employees because they are susceptible to "romance." Ironically Stevens seems to entertain some romantic tendencies of his own.
Quote #3
"Sir David wishes you to know, sir, that ladies and gentlemen differ in several key respects." (3.247)
This is Stevens's very circuitous attempt to initiate the birds-and-the-bees talk with Mr. Cardinal. As a young man engaged to be married, Cardinal probably knows way more about the topic than Stevens does.