Venturing into Other People's Past: The Narrative Style in <i>The Remains of the Day</i>

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  • 見知らぬ景色を懐かしむ―『日の名残り』に見る語りの機能
  • ミシラヌ ケシキ オ ナツカシム : 『 ヒ ノ ナゴリ 』 ニ ミル カタリ ノ キノウ

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<p>Kazuo Ishiguro's The Remains of the Day is known for its nuanced narrative style. The narrator Stevens, who used to work as a competent butler in his younger days, is a typical unreliable narrator, but in his effort to retrace his past, he hopes to show the dignity that the best butlers should have, and does not intentionally deceive the reader. His memories, when put into words, indicate important questions in his life, as if inviting the reader to discuss his problems. Besides this invitation, his memory and nostalgia can be expected to evoke sympathy among the reader. Stevens's storytelling style is chosen carefully to develop and protect his ideals, which allows the reader to experience imaginary good old England. In this story, private memories and feelings depicted and sometimes omitted by Stevens are presented as events that may happen in everyday lives. Stevens's nostalgia almost acts as a common language that helps the reader to feel they are involved in a butler's story.</p>

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