Stevens' Childish Actions

            "But Miss Kenton had departed, and sure enough, as I continued with my work, an occasional footstep or some other sound would serve to remind me she was still there outside the door. I decided therefore to occupy myself with some further tasks in the billiard room, assuming she would after a while see the ludicrousness of her position and leave. However, after some time had passed, and I had exhausted the tasks which could be achieved with the implements I happened to have at hand, Miss Kenton was evidently still outside. Resolved not to waste further time on the account of this childish affair, I contemplated departure via the french windows." (Ishiguro 58)

            Stevens' language in this passage attempts to maintain his formal stature. He uses words like "departed," "exhausted," and "contemplated" in ways similar to his normal statements throughout the novel. They are used out of habit. However, Stevens' formality is broken by the words used to describe his feelings towards the situation between him and Miss Kenton. The words "ludicrousness" and "childish affair" portray the idea that Stevens' is attempting to persuade himself into being upset with Miss Kenton. These descriptions overemphasize the mistakes made by Miss Kenton in a way that it seems that Stevens is trying to force himself to look down upon these mistakes. As Stevens attempts this it represents the fact that while he would usually simply see this behavior as unprofessional, his feelings for Miss Kenton prevent him from looking down upon her, and so he tries to force himself to.