A Butler Preparing for War

Passage: 

"I thus set about preparing for the days ahead as, I imagine, a general might prepare for a battle: I devised with utmost care a special staff plan anticipating all sorts of eventualities; I analysed where our weakest points lay and set about making contingency plans to fall back upon in the event of these points giving way; I even gave the staff a military style 'pep-talk', impressing upon them that, for all their having to work at an exhausting rate, they could feel great pride in discharging their duties over the days that lay ahead.  "History could well be made under this roof", I told them.  And they, knowing me to be one not prone to exaggerated statements, well understood that something of an extraordinary nature was impending." (Ishiguro 77-78)

 

 

 

The narrator of the passage, Stevens, uses a metaphor to describe his preparations for the March Conference event at Darlington Hall, comparing himself to "a general getting ready for battle".  Both duties involve pride and a high degree of intensity,but the comparison is a bit extreme.  Battles usually involve fighting for one’s entire country and may result in death. In Stevens’ case, he is only planning a large event for Darlington. His preparation will not cause the loss of lives. I admit that this event is somewhat of a life or death situation for Stevens, because if he fails, he will feel worthless at the job which defines who he is, but he is attempting to exaggerate his own profession. Since greatness is often associated with generals and war heroes, perhaps Stevens is trying to make himself feel great. The context surrounding the passage conveys that Stevens has been analyzing if he is truly a “great butler” or not, the direct relationship serves to convince the reader that he was great. The comparison further reveals the unreliability of Stevens. He states that he “imagines” his work and job is similar to a general’s. Stevens imagines this because he has a very closed and narrow perspective of the world. He doesn’t understand what it’s like to be a general or fight in a war, but makes the assumption that his job is equivalent. He barely understands what life is like outside of Darlington Hall! How could the reader trust what he has to say?  The reader must be cautious and refrain from trusting everything that Stevens has to communicate.

 

It seems that Stevens is merely describing the intensity of preparing for Darlington’s big event, but his sentence variation, pacing, and word choice expose otherwise. Stevens compiles his words into what appears to be an argumentative essay. He uses “and thus” along with other transitory word choice to show that he is presenting his view point or case. Stevens’ pacing as a narrator is quite fast, his long sentences smash many ideas and thoughts together. It is as if he doesn’t even have time to breathe because what he is expressing to the reader is just that important. The long run-on sentences jammed with information reveal that the intended purpose of the passage is to convince. Stevens is trying really hard to make the reader believe and understand what he is saying. His main goal is to display any sort of association he may have with greatness. He wants the reader to be fully aware that his job can be extraordinary and that he can be considered “great”. Throughout the novel, Stevens’ is unsure of what defines a great butler, but he is just trying to appear modest. The exaggeration and strong attempt to persuade the reader of the intensity of his profession show that Stevens’ already considers himself to be great, but needs someone’s (reader) approval first. The metaphor and unique structure of sentences and words presented within this passage show that Stevens’ is desperate to confirm that he is the “great butler” that he has always aimed to be.  Through Stevens, the author exposes how people will do whatever it takes to convince others of their greatness.  They need others to agree with their thoughts and opinions before making any direct claims.  People will use the power of persuasion to syncronize the opinions of different people together, and ultimately form a truth or mutual understanding.  Stevens wants the reader to be on the same page as he is.  He feels as though the reader must see or understand that he is great before he ever dares to say it himself.