An Analysis of Stevens’s Alienation in The Remains of the Day Under Gaze Theory

【Abstract】The Remains of the Day has been interpreted from various perspectives by scholars since its publishment. Some discuss its narration， some explore its theme， others probe the novel from various theories. Little attention is paid to gaze in the novel. Therefore， this essay intends to analyze self-alienation of Stevens under the gaze of others.

【Key words】Kazuo Ishiguro； The Remains of the Day； Sartre； gaze； others

【作者簡介】刘莉（1994.2.27- ），女，汉族，现就读于西安外国语大学英文学院2016级英语语言文学专业研究生，主要研究方向为：英国文学。

Since 1989， The Remains of the Day has been discussed violently. It has been interpreted with theories like post-colonial criticism. In addition， several researches discuss its narrative features. Few studies shed insight on gaze. This essay explores self-alienation of Stevens with Sartres Gaze.

1. Sartres Gaze

Gaze means long time looking， which is a common act in daily life. While for Sartre， gaze has far more significance.

Sartre employs gaze to the relationship between self and others. He believes that once one realizes that he is being gazed by others， he will feel pressured， the gazes drive him to meet the requirements of others. Sartre denotes in Being and Nothingness that “but the look will be given just as well on occasion when there is a rustling of branches， or the sound of a footstep followed by silence， or the slight opening of a shutter， or a light movement of a curtain”（180）. Even one is not directly gazed by others， he still feels being gazed and is compelled to cater to gazers satisfaction.

2. Stevenss Self-alienation as the Gazed

In the novel， Stevens is gazed by his father， Lord Darlington and Miss Kenton. He shapes his image catering to their gazes， gradually， he is caught in self-alienation.

2.1 Stevenss Self-alienation under the Gaze of His Father

Under the gaze of his father， Stevens strives hard for “dignity”.

Influenced by his father of “dignity”， Stevens tries to meet the reputation of “dignity”. As a butler， he makes perfect arrangements. Caught in the dilemma of taking care of his father who is in great danger and conducting his duty， Stevens chooses to the latter. His reserve attitude towards his father is the result of his pursuing of “dignity”.

Under the gaze of his father， Stevenss mind is enriched with the notion “dignity”. His being added to the list of “dignity” is at the cost of the death of his father， he is alienated from common father-son relationship.

2.2 Stevenss Self-alienation under the Gaze of Lord Darlington

Under the gaze of his master Lord Darlington， Stevens displays his utmost obedience.

When Lord Darlington tells Stevens that he cant have Jews at Darlington Hall， though opposes the idea himself， Stevens stills conducts the order. “Indeed， my every instinct opposed the idea of their dismissal. ” （Ishiguro 156）. Stevens at heart doesnt support the act， but he chooses to do it to prove his obedience.

Under the gaze of Lord Darlington， Stevens performs his duty as an obedient butler who shows no disagreement towards his master， he is alienated from his true opinion.

2.3 Stevenss Self-alienation under the Gaze of Miss Kenton

Stevens is also gazed by Miss Kenton， the housekeeper.

Questioned by Miss Kenton the wrong place of the Chinaware， Stevens refuses to check it at the pretext of busy. Even after he finishes his tasks， he finds excuses. Stevens is aware of his careless. Feeling his professionalism challenged， he is unwilling to admit it. In addition， Stevens refuses to admit his feeling to Miss Kenton. Taking it as a distraction to work， he is always pretending. Miss Kenton exposes her feelings to him several times， but Stevens choose to avoids it.

Under the gaze of Miss Kenton， Stevens refuses to admit his mistakes and he hides his feelings to Miss Kenton， he is alienated from correct ethic value and his true emotion.

3. Conclusion

This essay explores Stevenss self-alienation under the theory of gaze. In this novel， Stevens is under the gaze of his father， Lord Darlington and Miss Kenton. Being gazed， Stevens feels compelled to shape his image to cater to gazers satisfaction. Under the gaze of others， Stevens strives for “dignity” and “professionalism”， he conveys his utmost loyalty and he refuses to admit his mistakes and his feelings. The moment Stevens caters to the gazers requirements， he is on the process of self-alienation， deviating from his true self.

References：

[1]Ishiguro，Kazuo.The Remains of the Day[M].New York：Vintage Books，1990：156.