The Remains of the Day

Close reading of a scene

Your task is to watch eight minutes of the film and to take close notes of the dialogue and filmic
elements that could be useful in crafting a literature response. Please go through to the end of the
eighth minute. Note who speaks and to whom where appropriate.

In addition to dialogue, please note down any striking elements of how the film is constructed, that
could serve you well in writing an essay. For example, setting, costume, sound, lighting, camera
angles, framing of shots and so forth. Bear in mind particularly how the elements you are noting
speak to the novel.

Please write your response in the body of an email, with the minute numbers being the subject of
your email. Please take these minute numbers as a guide. If a scene goes on for a short while
longer then watch through until it ends. Likewise, if a scene ends a little before my designated time,
you can leave it at that. Please write ½ – ¾ page for your scene. Everyone will be grateful if you
proofread your work.

Note that I have elected to start at ten minutes rather than the very beginning as we had discussed
that in some detail.

Please submit via email by the beginning of class on Monday. I will collate the document and
distribute to those who contribute by Tuesday.

Name Minutes

10 - 17

18 - 25

- When Stevens Senior is dusting the landing, he is made to appear weak by the distant
camera and downward angle, as well as his loud panting, which is the only audio in the
scene.
- When Miss Kenton approaches Mr. Stevens about the dustpan, The characters are framed
separately, with Mr. Steven’s higher and closer to the camera. This establishes the power
dynamic between the two and builds the sense of conflict.
- “My mistake no doubt. One of many”, Miss Kenton tells Mr. Stevens
- The dark, muted colours of the dining room reflect the seriousness of the discussion.
- Lord Darlington pauses mid-sentence as he notices the drop of sweat on Stevens Senior’s
nose.
- “What about the Jews”. While in the novel Reggie’s doubts about Lord Darlington’s meetings
are not expressed until the last chapters, Reggie in the film is immediately much more vocal.
- When discussing the chinamen, the camera alternates between Miss Kenton and Stevens,
emphasizing their conflict.
- “It is a small mistake, a trivial mistake”, Steven’s continues to deny his father’s decline
- “whatever your father once was, he no longer has the same abilities”
- Miss Kenton foreshadows that Stevens Senior will make a “major error”
- The gentlemen in the summerhouse ridicule Mr. Lewis for his new American fortune, yet it is
the Americans who eventually overshadow England after the war.
- There is a brief slow motion shot during Stevens Senior’s fall, adding dramatic effect.
 - The camera is distant from Stevens senior, while the ruined platter and smashed crockery
are framed in the center, further emphasized by the gentlemen stepping around them.
- Steven’s senior apologizes immediately to Lord Darlington. This is also what Stevens does as
soon as he arrives.

26 - 33

34 - 41

34:46, Although Darlington is sat back in his chair, the fumbling of his hands makes him seem
uncomfortable, not relaxed. His mumbling, “uh”s, short sentence clauses and pacing around the
room also make him seem tense, even when he tries to appear the opposite. He reads the book to
seem casual, but with his movement, the lack of noise amplifying the turning of the pages, the long
shot filling the scene with empty space and drawing out the action, and stevens reaction, it comes
off as awkward. The shot of Stevens’ reaction increases the awkwardness but also highlights his
status as a butler, as he cannot ask Darlington what he is doing. The moving camera makes the scene
feel disorienting and restless, a reflection of Stevens’ emotions. The quote “In a way, it would be
easier for you. Less awkward,” shows Darlington’s disregard for stevens both by asking him to do
something unprofessional, and assuming it would not make him feel uncomfortable, as if he doesn’t
have the same emotional responses as Lord Darlington. Also highlights Darlington’s disregard and
hypocrisy for his relationship with Mr Cardinal, as he hands off an important conversation to a butler
to “make it go away”, even though he said he felt “like a father.” Lord Darlington is walking closer to
Stevens as he tries to convince him, and combined with the moving camera, come across as
intimidating. “Look here… be done with it.” The uncharacteristic confidence of this sentence betrays
that while Lord Darlington acted as if it were a deniable request, he fully expected Stevens to follow
through with it.

 36:32, in maze with airplane sounds. Reminds of ww2, clash between violence of the war and the
peace of the garden, which comments on the wealthy’s ability to stay at an arm’s length from the
war. Also reflects Stevens’ troubled emotional state at the task been given as he walks towards Mr
Cardinal. The hedge maze restrains bushes into geometric shapes and layouts, demonstrates both
the wealth of lord Darlington, and the repression of Stevens and Mr Cardinal. The browns and blacks
of Mr Cardinal and Stevens’ outfits clash with the bright green maze, and their suits and styled hair
makes them seem out of place, disconnected from a world that is not their occupation. “I had no
idea Monsieur Dupont had arrived,” highlights the insignificance of his role.

Red reminds audience of blood and violence and is also opposite to green on the colour wheel,
which contrasts the natural setting outside Darlington hall. The gilt picture frames and silver tea sets
all communicate wealth.The operatic music makes the scene seem more important and grander, so
do the paintings with gilt frames. Stevens’ offers cigarettes, but not accepted, highlights
inconsequentiality of his role as butler.

41:08, china man in foreground, reminds audience of Steven’s father, serves as foreshadowing for
his stroke. “I am in agony. Too tight shoes. I blame myself. Vanity.” Exemplary of how the frivolity of
nobility, practically is less important than appearance. Also mirrors the attendance for the
conference, implies attendance for vanity, not for will help. As Stevens helps with shoes, crouching
down, e is below both Dupont and Lewis, visually putting him lower in the hierarchy of the scene.

42 - 49

50 - 57
58 - 65

66 - 73

 Lord Darlington says to Stevens “I’m sorry but there it is. They’re Jews,” to which Stevens
responds passively and obediently. Stevens and Lord Darlington are portrayed in different
camera shots, showing their conflicting views of the topic visually, contrasting Stevens’
agreeance.
 Miss Kenton expresses her anger towards Stevens through the simile “I’m amazed you can
just stand there as if you were just discussing orders for the larder.” Ivory utilises Miss
Kenton’s cup of tea as a way to show the audience her frustration, as she puts it down
angrily, appearing exasperated. The dim lighting, as well as Stevens’ restless body language
suggests he is uncomfortable with his decision. Miss Kenton appears in a clearer light and
the camera is angled down, showing her vulnerability and good intentions.
 Lord Darlington stands at an open door watching the rain. The poor weather symbolises his
internal guilt of firing the Jewish maids due to their ethno-religion, however the fact that he
stands sheltered from the rain shows how the decision benefits him. Although he feels the
dismissal may not have been right, he receives no consequences for his actions.
 The Ford breaks down, and Stevens is visibly flustered. Ivory’s decision for this scene to
follow Stevens’ dismissal of the Jewish maids illustrates how Stevens is still troubled by his
actions.
 The scene in the inn stands out from the rest of the film, with loud noises and informal
dialect. Stevens seems uncomfortable, from the close camera angle and unsettled body
language. He visibly relaxes once he is discussing his profession, indicating his job as a butler
is his only priority, and he takes comfort the formal and structured nature of his job.
 Stevens reiterates multiple times that his only involvement in politics at Darlington Hall were
in an “unofficial capacity”, shifting the blame by association of Lord Darlington’s actions
away from himself.

74 - 81

82 - 89

“Why Mr Stevens? Why do you always have to hide what you feel?” 82 minutes 22 seconds, Miss
Kenton to Stevens

This quote suggests a different idea – not of Stevens’ unreliable narration, but his blind faith to Lord
Darlington without regard to his own ideals and morals. Due to the lack of internal monologue of
Stevens, this provides external perspectives of Stevens from other characters.  The repetition of
‘why’ is employed for emphasis, making audiences question and think about his wrongdoings,
despite being humanized to a higher degree in the film through use of audio and visual elements.
The actor (Emma Thompson) uses tone to emphasis words such as “why”, “lie” and “feel” for
purposes of creating meaning, as well as engagement of audiences, as well as disapproving facial
expressions to convey Miss Kenton’s sense of upset and displeasure with Stevens.

“Might it be that our Mr Stevens fears distraction? Can it be that our Mr Stevens is flesh and blood
after all and cannot trust himself?” 82 minutes 27 seconds, Miss Kenton to Stevens

This quote conveys an outer, external perspective of the reserved nature of Stevens. While
Thompson’s tone in the presentation of these lines suggests sarcasm, as if to poke fun at Stevens,
below the surface this reveals much about Stevens’ inability to express his emotions. It also depicts
his rejection or disregard for them due to his career in which he feels requires him to preserve his
emotions to maintain dignity. Further, the framing of the shot of both Miss Kenton and Stevens
suggests that Miss Kenton is cause for Stevens’ distraction, foreshadowing Stevens’ romantic desire
for Miss Kenton.

“You know what I am doing, Miss Kenton? I’m placing my thoughts elsewhere while you chatter
away”. 82 minutes 34 seconds, Stevens to Miss Kenton

This quote conveys Stevens’ rejection of his desire for Miss Kenton as a result of his inability to
express his feelings appropriately or accurately. Similarly to Stevens’ unreliable narration in the
novel, when Miss Kenton suggests Stevens is interested in another member of the staff, Stevens is
denying or containing any desire for romance as he places his “thoughts elsewhere”, denying or
rejecting this idea to contain himself and his career, in which he takes greater pride in despite what
he feels in a deeper sense.

“This is my private time. You’re invading it.” 85 minutes 28 seconds, Stevens to Miss Kenton

This quote suggests a deeper sense of connection which Stevens feels towards Miss Kenton. This he
does not express explicitly to begin with. However, the use of a hyperbole as Miss Kenton “invading”
Stevens’ “private time” could suggest or allude to his feelings for Miss Kenton – he feels threatened
by this idea, in that it could serve as a distraction from his career which he values greatly. He values
precision, order and control, and feels greatly defined by his occupation. Therefore, this could
perhaps foreshadow how this inevitably prevented him from being with Miss Kenton at the fear of
losing his career, and as a result, losing his sense of identity. In this scene, the stillness of the actor
(Anthony Hopkins) as he grasps the book further illustrates his reserved nature, yet audiences are
also presented with this submissive nature he presents as a butler as Miss Kenton (Emma
Thompson) eventually prevails in taking the book from Stevens.

90 - 97

98 - 105

-Miss Kenton just told Stevens about Mr Benn’s plan to propose. Stevens casts his eyes to the
ground, looks distraught for a moment before he catches himself and returns to his normal stoic
expression. Close up shot used to show full expression of face.

-Miss Kenton and Stevens are presented in two separate frames to show their disconnect,
contrasting earlier in the film where they are positioned together.

-Miss Kenton turns her back to the camera presenting her attempt to hold in her emotions.

-Stevens consistently present in the background of shots, slightly blurred – this presents him as
forever on duty – the blur adds to his unimportance in the eyes of the upper class. The prime
minister, Lord Halifax and Lord Darlington are all in the foreground and clear reinforcing their
importance. This contrasts Stevens belief held in the novel of the importance of his job.

-Half of Mr Cardinal face in light, the other in darkness. The light symbolises the knowledge he has of
the present meeting with the prime minister.

-Stevens checking pocket watch – another reference to time – clocks are consistently present in
shots.

-Tense/ominous music building up to Miss Kenton and Mr Stevens argument.

- “Events of the upmost importance are taking place in this house tonight.” Mimics the novel.

- (Miss Kenton) “I tell him stories about your habits.” -Close shot – Stevens glance down – does this
when he is upset – replies “does it indeed.” Then catches himself and slightly, sadly smiles then
returns back to stoic expression.

- (Mr Cardinal) – “Are you alright? Not feeling unwell, are you?” – Stevens assertions are different to
his emotions – evident in his face, appears down. Happens various moments in the novel – when his
father is unwell, and Lord Darlington asks if he has been crying to which Stevens responds it is just
the “strains of a hard day.”

106 - 113

“it is not my place to be curious about such matters”

- Stevens
- He continuous to deflect form matters at hand, whether it concerns Lord Darlington or Miss
Kenton. Stevens uses the status of his profession to justify the importance of situations.

“his lordship is acting from the highest and noblest motives, sir”

- Stevens

“the lordship has been the most valuable pawn that the Nazi’s have in this country”

- Mr Cardinal

“you must not take anything I said to heart”

- Miss Kenton, feeling regretful of her harsh words.

The light that shines on Miss Kenton’s face slowly dissipates as Stevens dismisses her and she heads
off to bed.

Insert shot of the broken wine bottle that reflect Stevens’ state of mind, broken.

The sound effect of weeping from Miss Kenton’s room is used to demonstrate Stevens empathy and
woefulness for her. This being evident through the way he lurks outside the door listening and
contemplating before he walks in.  When he walks into Miss Kenton’s room, Ivory uses a close up
shot of his footsteps to emphasises movement and growth in Stevens. The scene becomes anti
climatic as Mr stevens informs her of work that must be looked after instead of comforting her.

Ivory uses a high angle shot to show Miss Kenton crying to further highlight her low state of mind.
The shot is focused on her as Mr Stevens speaks to show her change in emotion as what she wants
to hear is not said.

Miss Kenton’s clothes are also very dark and muted reflecting her mood.

Ivory uses extra-long shots to show a change in tense, as the storey jumps to the present tense,
where Stevens is about to meet Miss Kenton after several years.

In the present, Miss Kenton’s appearance has been embellished using bright white jewellery and an
electric red lipstick. Ivory does this to illustrate Miss Kenton growth and happiness, juxtaposed to her
dark attire at Darlington Hall.
Before Miss Kenton’s arrival, Mr Stevens continues to read and analyse her letter. Ivory uses Miss
Kenton as a narrator to signify her importance, as the film focuses more on their romantic
relationship.

“I remember those years with you as amongst the happiest of my life”

- Miss Kenton

The music used in the background of their meeting is triumphant and quick in tempo reflecting the
rush of emotions that both Stevens and Miss Kenton have, after finally seeing each other for the first
time in over 20 years.

The shot fades away from them creating a sense of wonder as their meeting continuous to unfold.

114 - 121

122 – end

 Takes place back in Darlington Hall, Faraday’s house is getting prepared for his wife arrival
 ‘My lord Stevens you’re really getting things going here’ Farraday to Stevens, somewhat
informal and unrefined, validation for Stevens work
 ‘A matron, sounds like she’ll know how to keep us from misbehaving’ Farraday to Stevens
about potential new staff
 Repetition of ‘good stevens’
 When Farraday asks Stevens what he said in his speech at the conference he says ‘I’m sorry
sir I was too busy serving to listen to the speeches’ despite having recalled it quite clearly
previously
 Wide open room, with just table tennis table in the middle, visual of modernisation and
change in culture