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Sweet. This is my first time participating in a book of the month discussion, so I'm stokedUnfortunately I'm not as far into the book as I'd like to be, so I'll hold off on comments of substance until later...
So? Who's in? Who wants to start this up? :whistling:
Why don't we start this by talking about Stevens? Stevens spends much of the opening illustrating what the things that defines a great butler. His ideal of butler results in his supression of emotion.
(page 43)They wear their professonalism as a decent gentleman will wear his suit: he will not let ruffians or circumstance tear it off him in the public gaze; he will discard it when, and only when, he wills to do so, and this will invariably be when he is entirely alone. It is, as I say, a matter of 'dignity.'
Suppression of negative emotion perhaps. He evidently believes there is something to be said about stoic resoluteness in the face of bad behavior.
(page 43)
Slights and pointedness are to be dealt with silently. Perhaps mistreating a butler would lead a given person to become considered to be less than a gentleman among his/her neighbors at that time, though disrespect to a certain degree may be expected with the postion perhaps.
Not just negative emotion. What about his whole deal with Miss Kenton? He was clearly suppressing something there, so concerned with remaining dignified and a great, loyal butler that acting on, or even admitting to himself, his feelings for her was out of the question. As I was reading it, before it'd really dawned on me that he had feelings for her, I was struck by the way he spoke to her, provoking her and being so harsh.
As I read it (and correct me if anyone disagrees), his endeavor to be a great butler and serve his employers completely stifled any emotional expression at all, and in doing so, eliminated life choices that might have brought him away from serving the house.
I know I am going a bit back but,I did like the comparison of his English employer to his American employer and the different styles of manner in which they acted.I sensed that he found his English employer more with class and a more proper way of employer/emploee relations.
I agree. He likes Miss Kenton, but won't admit to himself. He has also supressed his feelings about his father.
I wonder if the hierarchy of gentlemen has something to do it?
What do you mean?
^^LOL
It does sound a bit snooty but it's the only way he knew and along comes this bantering American.
I should have been specific. I was speaking of an exchange between Stevens the idiot and Miss Kenton. I don't wish to be more specific because it's near the end of the story and I don't wish to spoil it for others.
Yes,you should have.lol
Yeah, yeah, yeah. Like you have never made a mistake. :whistling: