THE BUTLER

In Roald Dahl's "The Butler," the character of Mr. Cleaver is skillfully built to reveal his
materialistic and status-driven mindset, which ultimately leads to his ruin. Dahl offers a detailed
portrait of Mr. Knife via the skillful application of scholarly techniques, exposing his obsession
with worldly possessions and his off-track focus on outward appearances. Mr. Knife is expertly
portrayed by Dahl, emphasizing his materialistic character. Mr. Blade is portrayed by the creator
as a man who is profoundly driven by a desire for social prominence and approval. This is seen
in the lavish resources he was able to secure, such as the opulent manor and the expensive staff
members, such as Monsieur Estragon and Tibbs.  (““The Butler””) These aspects emphasize Mr.
Cleaver's wish to be regarded as a prosperous and significant member of society. Dahl sets up the
groundwork for understanding his inspirations and activities throughout the novel by revealing
Mr. Blade's extraordinary way of living.
One of Dahl's most notable techniques for presenting Mr. Cleaver is the contrast between his
lavish lifestyle and his underlying discontent. Mr. Blade's opulent home reflects his desire for
social greatness, complete with pricey staff members like Monsieur Estragon and Tibbs. Dahl
illustrates Mr. Cleaver's ambition to appear affluent and powerful by highlighting the
magnificence of his existence. On the other hand, despite the fantastic cuisine and flawless
service at his dinner individuals, Mr. Cleaver is still unsatisfied. (The Butler by Roald Dahl |
Shortsonline) The dramatic contrast between his exterior look of success and his deep discontent
underscores his erroneous concentration on material belongings and social position.
The dialogue plays an important role in revealing Mr. Cleaver's personality and motivations.
Dahl reveals the hero's lack of understanding of the true nature of social achievement through the
conversations between Mr. Blade and Tibbs. Mr. Cleaver asks why his dinner parties lack life
and spark, revealing his lack of understanding of the value of real-world interactions and
meaningful conversations. (“The Butler by Roald Dahl”) Readers can discern Mr. Knife's
shallow desires and his incapacity to recognize the value of valid associations thanks to this
discourse-based analysis of his personality. He frequently discussed wine at the dinner
gatherings, which demonstrates how shallow he is and how he is unable to engage in deeper,
more significant conversations.
In order to help readers better grasp Mr. Cleaver's character, Dahl frequently employs symbolism
in his work. His addiction to material belongings and desire to impress others are metaphorically
represented by Mr. Cleaver's transition into a wine connoisseur. As he learns a bit more about
wine, he becomes conceited and haughty, frequently boasting about his knowledge to his
visitors. This graphic highlights Mr. Knife's superficial hobbies while also highlighting his
materialistic character. His obsessive attention to wine, which places more importance on
outward appearances than sincere human interactions, serves as an example of his wrong
priorities.
Dahl also belittles Mr. Knife's arrogance and unwillingness to accept analysis through his
defense of Tibbs' suggestion over the use of vinegar in the plate of mixed greens dressing. This
incident reveals Mr. Blade's arrogance because he values his own opinions and preferences over
those of his guests and, astonishingly, even of his trusted steward. (““The Butler””) Dahl
accentuates Mr. Knife's callous treatment of Tibbs in front of the guests, further highlighting
these traits and emphasizing the bad aspects of his character. This interaction serves as a pivotal
moment in the narrative, highlighting Mr. Knife's flaws and his inability to establish concrete
connections with others around him.
Dahl's thorough use of characterization and other literary devices in "The Butler" allows readers
to fully comprehend Mr. Cleaver's character. Dahl masterfully portrays Mr. Blade as a
materialistic and status-driven individual through the contrast of outward appearances and inside
dissatisfaction, meaningful interchange, imagery, and character interactions. The narrative serves
as a wake-up call, highlighting the futility of pursuing trivial success at the expense of genuine
interpersonal connections. By exploring the nuance of Mr. Cleaver's personality, Dahl invites
readers to reflect on their principles and goals. He concludes by encouraging people to look for
fulfillment in genuine connections rather than material stuff.
REFERENCES
1. ““The Butler.”” Roald Dahl Fans, www.roalddahlfans.com/dahls-work/short-stories/the-
butler/. Accessed 2 July 2023.\
2. Phil Johnson. “The Butler – Short Notes.” Students Headquarters, 29 Oct. 2012,
studentshq.wordpress.com/2012/10/29/the-butler-short-notes/.
3. The Butler by Roald Dahl | Shortsonline. 15 Nov. 2010, xpressenglish.com/the-butler/.
Accessed 2 July 2023.
4. “The Butler by Roald Dahl.” Prezi.com, prezi.com/8nnti_167gof/the-butler-by-roald-
dahl/. Accessed 2 July 2023.