'A great butler': the unreliable narrator in Kazuo Ishiguro's 'The Remains of the Day'

Fiction & Literature, Literary Theory & Criticism, British
Cover of the book 'A great butler': the unreliable narrator in Kazuo Ishiguro's 'The Remains of the Day' by Lynn Bay, GRIN Verlag
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Lynn Bay ISBN: 9783656228486
Publisher: GRIN Verlag Publication: July 2, 2012
Imprint: GRIN Verlag Language: English
Author: Lynn Bay
ISBN: 9783656228486
Publisher: GRIN Verlag
Publication: July 2, 2012
Imprint: GRIN Verlag
Language: English

Seminar paper from the year 2009 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Literature, grade: 2,0, University of Würzburg, language: English, abstract: In Kazuo Ishiguro´s The Remains of the Day the first person narrator Stevens, a butler on the verge of retirement, undertakes a journey to meet - for what is likely the last time in their lives - his former coworker and love interest Miss Kenton. At the same time, he tries to come to terms with his past by reexamining his memories of his life at Darlington Hall, the choices he made and the values he had. Throughout his account it becomes increasingly obvious that Stevens´s narration cannot be trusted completely. His comments on, and interpretation of, past events in his life and his portrayal of himself and others in his tale expose him as an unreliable narrator. However, his attempts to deceive himself and others are possibly the most interesting and telltale aspect of the narrative. After all, 'the use of an unreliable narrator draws attention to a character´s psychology.' Paradoxically, the narrator reveals most about himself and his life when he is trying to obscure the truth.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Seminar paper from the year 2009 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Literature, grade: 2,0, University of Würzburg, language: English, abstract: In Kazuo Ishiguro´s The Remains of the Day the first person narrator Stevens, a butler on the verge of retirement, undertakes a journey to meet - for what is likely the last time in their lives - his former coworker and love interest Miss Kenton. At the same time, he tries to come to terms with his past by reexamining his memories of his life at Darlington Hall, the choices he made and the values he had. Throughout his account it becomes increasingly obvious that Stevens´s narration cannot be trusted completely. His comments on, and interpretation of, past events in his life and his portrayal of himself and others in his tale expose him as an unreliable narrator. However, his attempts to deceive himself and others are possibly the most interesting and telltale aspect of the narrative. After all, 'the use of an unreliable narrator draws attention to a character´s psychology.' Paradoxically, the narrator reveals most about himself and his life when he is trying to obscure the truth.

More books from GRIN Verlag

Cover of the book Jacob Burckhardt in seiner Zeit: Das Bild der Polis in seiner 'Griechischen Kulturgeschichte' by Lynn Bay
Cover of the book Private Durchsetzung des Kartellrechts in Europa, Deutschland und in der Türkei by Lynn Bay
Cover of the book Einfluss von Unternehmenskultur, im Besonderen Führung, auf die Leistungsfähigkeit von Gruppen by Lynn Bay
Cover of the book Der Unternehmer als Künstler des Neuen in der Theorie von Joseph A. Schumpeter by Lynn Bay
Cover of the book Psychopedia, a suggestopedic approach to language learning by Lynn Bay
Cover of the book Du sollst nicht ... auf Waljagd gehen! Das Tabu im 'Fischzugs'-Mythos in 'Hymiskvida' und 'Gylfaginning' by Lynn Bay
Cover of the book Future Markers of English by Lynn Bay
Cover of the book Patente als Innovationshemmnisse by Lynn Bay
Cover of the book Schreibabys: Ursachen - Folgen - Lösungsmöglichkeiten by Lynn Bay
Cover of the book Interkulturalität und Soziale Arbeit by Lynn Bay
Cover of the book Das Leben des Claudius vor seinem Herrschaftsantritt by Lynn Bay
Cover of the book Die protestantische Ethik by Lynn Bay
Cover of the book Understanding the role of culture: Fons Trompenaars's concept by Lynn Bay
Cover of the book Das 'Whistleblower-Konzept' - Darstellung und Bewertung by Lynn Bay
Cover of the book Globalisierung und Regionalisierung - zwei Seiten einer Medaille? by Lynn Bay
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy