![]() ![]() The voice speaking here is that of Stevens, an English butler who aspires to greatness as the perfect servant, and the narrator of Kazuo Ishiguro's subtle new novel, ''The Remains of the Day.'' Through Stevens, Mr. They wear their professionalism as a decent gentleman will wear his suit: he will not let ruffians or circumstance tear it off him in the public gaze he will discard it when, and only when, he wills to do so, and this will invariably be when he is entirely alone.'' The great butlers are great by virtue of their ability to inhabit their professional role and inhabit it to the utmost they will not be shaken out by external events, however surprising, alarming or vexing. ![]() ![]() For such persons, being a butler is like playing some pantomime role a small push, a slight stumble, and the facade will drop off to reveal the actor underneath. ''Lesser butlers will abandon their professional being for the private one at the least provocation. The Remains of the Day By Kazuo Ishiguro 245 pages. ![]()
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