The Colonization Of Stevens :: essays research papers

The Colonization of Stevens In the year 1954, two years earlier to the setting of Ishiguros The clay of the Day, the Suez canal was returned once again to the government of Egypt putting an abrupt give up to the slope imperialism and colonialism that had extended throughout centuries. The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro serves as a conceit for the rejection of the British empire by its colonized subjects. Much like the narrator of the novel, Stevens, personifies the dynasty of the British Empire, his recognition of the extensive price his dignity has salute him symbolizes the colonial subjects realization that their freedom was bought at a price as well. By succumbing to his dignity, Stevens, the gigantic English simplyler also loses much of his self-rule, as did the colonies of the Empire. The subjects of these colonies were led to consider that their voices were heard and valued, as in a democracy, but once acquired the English Parliament paid little attention to th e citizens other than as mean to a profit. Just as the colonies realized the extent of their dependency on the British Empire, Stevens too realizes the impact of placing his whole existence into the misguided pass of Lord Darlington. Stevens finally admits the foolishness of his devotion to Darlington, a devotion that cost him much of his life. Lord Darlington wasnt a bad man. He wasnt a bad man at all. And at least he had the priviledge of being able to say at the end of his life that he made his witness mistakes. His lordship was a courageous man. He chose a veritable path in life, it proved to be a misguided one, but there, he chose it, he can say that at least. As for myself, I cannot even claim that. You see, I trusted. I trusted in his lordships wisdom. All those years I served him, I trusted I was doing something worthwhile. I cant even say I made my own mistakes. Really- one has to ask oneself- what dignity is there in that? (p. 201) Stevens believed in the end that he h ad made his life a waste by placing it in the hands of his social betters.