Сlass as one of the central themes of the novel: the choice of the narrator;

Darlington Hall and the system of house maintenance; the hierarchy of servants;
who is butler and what are his duties?
Kazuo Ishiguro's novel “The Remains of the Day” skilfully explores and reveals the
theme of class in 20th-century British society through the lens of the personal
experience of the protagonist, Stevens, a butler in Lord Darlington's house. The
theme of class permeates the entire novel's structure, reflecting not only the social
realities of the time, but also its impact on the characters' identities, morals, and
relationships.
One common point that illustrates the theme of class is the relationship between
Stevens and Lord Darlington. Lord Darlington, as a member of the English
aristocracy, embodies the power and privileges that come with his social status.
Stevens gives him unlimited loyalty and serves him with great dedication, which is
typical of servants of the time: “It is quite possible, then, that my employer fully
expects me to respond to his bantering in a like manner, and considers my failure to
do so a form of negligence.” His subordination to Lord Darlington is determined not
only by his official duties, but also by his deep conviction in the importance of
preserving social norms and hierarchy.
An example of a specific scene that demonstrates Stevens's commitment to class
ideals is his conversation with his former colleague, Miss Kenton. Stevens takes the
position of an aristocratic worldview, arguing that "correctness" is more important
than personal feelings. He recognizes his dependence on Lord Darlington and
commits self-deception to justify his official firmness. This conversation becomes an
oxymoron because it reflects not only the split between the classes, but also Stevens'
internal conflict. He longs for the old days when he felt like a more important
member of the Darlington family.
Stevens, a member of the lower class, feels an unquestioning loyalty to his
aristocratic master, Lord Darlington. He strives to idealize his work and maintain the
high standards of service that define his own identity: “The great butlers are great by
virtue of their ability to inhabit their professional role and inhabit it to the utmost . . .
They wear their professionalism as a decent gentleman will wear his suit.”. The class
hierarchy not only defines his professional duty, but also shapes his perception of the
world.
Through the prism of Stevens's inner monologue, the reader understands how class
becomes the framework on which the hero builds his life philosophy and worldview.
The author uses the class aspect to bring to the surface questions about identity, self-
sacrifice, and moral choices. Thus, class acts not only as an external element of
society, but also as an internal conflict that determines the actions and inner world of
the protagonist.
What is more, the Darlington Hall plays an important role in the disclosure of the
theme of class as a symbol of aristocratic power. This place not only represents status
and wealth, but also defines the rules of the game for servants, sets standards and
norms of behavior. For example, Stevens' decision-making in accordance with the
protocol for receiving guests in the Hall reflects his class consciousness and desire to
follow established procedures.
The maintenance system of the house is another illustration of class differences.
Ishiguro carefully reveals the details of the servants' work and their relationships. For
example, the description of a dinner at a restaurant where Stevens and his fellow
servants discuss their work matters reflects the hierarchy of servants and their
relationships outside of working hours. The staff at Darlington Hall is meticulous in
their attention to detail when it comes to house maintenance. Everything, from the
arrangement of flowers to the polishing of silver, is done with precision. The
emphasis on perfection reflects the desire to present Darlington Hall as a paragon of
elegance and refinement.
The household staff operates within a structured hierarchy, with each member
assigned specific responsibilities. The delineation of roles ensures the smooth
functioning of the household and contributes to the overall image of order and
control. The staff at Darlington Hall is expected to subsume their personal lives and
emotions in service of the estate.
Ishiguro creates a complex system of servants, including the butler, who plays an
important role in maintaining order. The butler represents the highest level of
servants and is a key figure in the hierarchy. His duties include supervising the entire
service and defining the work duties for other servants.
Overall, The Rest of the Day becomes not only a story of service, but also a study of
the impact of class structures on morality and identity. Through the prism of the
narrator, Ishiguro reveals the complicated relationships in the aristocratic world and
emphasizes how class norms shape the consciousness and character of the characters.
Thus, the theme of class becomes not just an element of the plot, but an in-depth
study of British society in the midst of change.