Reconciliation Between the Classic and the Modern: Kazuo Ishiguro's View of Dignity via The Remains of the Day

doi:10.15936/j.cnki.1008-3758.2023.06.015

Abstract

Abstract: Kazuo Ishiguro， in his novel The Remains of the Day， through the protagonist Stevens's false faith in butlership and dignity as well as his tragic life， suggests the significance of insight and sensibility in forming one's dignity. Stevens believes that being a great butler means unconditional submissiveness to his master and absolute emotional restraint， but he does not know this belief undermines the basis of dignity. With the reference of the transformation of the “dignity” concept in the history of Western ethics， Kazuo Ishiguro's reconciliation between the classic view of dignity and the modern view of dignity is explored by analyzing Stevens's professional superstition.

Key words: Kazuo Ishiguro; The Remains of the Day; human dignity

CLC Number:

I106.4

DAI Xianmei， CHU Mengyun. Reconciliation Between the Classic and the Modern: Kazuo Ishiguro's View of Dignity via The Remains of the Day[J]. Journal of Northeastern University(Social Science), 2023, 25(6): 131-138.

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