Miss Kenton on the other hand, never thinks that everything that her master does is right. She argues when Lord Darlington instructed Stevens to dismiss the two German girls just because Lord Darlington hates to have any Jews in his house. She thinks that their religion has nothing to do with the dismissal of the two girls. “…you are saying that Ruth and Sarah are to be dismissed on the grounds that they are Jewish?” She strongly feels that dismissing these two girls would be wrong just because they are Jewish. She is so frustrated when Stevens tells her to ask the girls packing. She does not see any reasons on why people should be judge according to their religion and not for what they are. Even when she threats Stevens that she will quit her job, she never do so as even though how hard will she defends her idea, she knows that she would not be able to make her master to get rid of the Jewish from his house. Some people will see Miss Kenton as a person who is easily change her stands, but for me, at least she has the courage to go against her master when she thinks that it is necessary and right.
The other thing that makes me think that Miss Kenton deserves to be deemed as a better human being compared to Stevens is because the fact that she knows how to communicate or to have a relationship with other people. Miss Kenton has a feeling for Stevens, which he tries to deny. Even as the novel progresses, Miss Kenton can be seen still holding on to her feelings towards him. But she gets tired of his nagging and his denial on his own feeling, Miss Kenton makes a decision to get married with Mr. Benn, the man that she does not love. Even so Miss Kenton can be viewed as a person that who gives up easily for the man that she loves, but at least she has tried to let somebody loves her. This is totally different from what Stevens is. He never lets himself to fall in love with anybody. Even if he does, he never tells anyone about his feeling. Stevens’s relationship with Miss. Kenton provides us with a much more sufficient amount evidence that there could be a much better chance for Stevens to break out of his role. Miss Kenton, although Steven’s knows this and the reader knows this, but he doesn’t want to admit it, is the love of Stevens’s life. This is obviously due to the letter Miss. Kenton sent Stevens, and the way he reacted about it. He can remember almost every conversation they have had in the past. Another piece of evidence of this hidden emotion from Stevens is the motoring trip he willingly undertakes. This trip is down to Miss. Kenton, it is his first trip away from Darlington Hall. Whilst driving through the countryside, Stevens is stopped and glimpses around at the scenery, this is symbolism for ‘new life’ and his impulses naturally turn to Miss. Kenton. These situations are all optimistic views which reveal some real emotion behind Stevens, a deep personal emotion which is hidden and sheltered by Stevens’s butler role.
However, there is still proof in their relationship which tells us that Stevens is hanging onto the past, he simply believes that love will get in the way of his professionalism. ‘A serious threat to the order of the house’, this quote explains that even though he might have emotions, his butler role is still his main ideal. When Miss. Kenton tried to brighten up his room with flowers, he turned completely sightless to her efforts, and told her anything that could be a distraction to his work is not necessary. In reference to Steven’s being stuck in the past, the letters he has kept for 30 or so years propose some sort of emotion for her. Another chance for Steven’s to have shown his emotion was when Miss. Kenton and himself where stuck in a very tense moment. It starts off when Stevens is reading a romantic novel, this is also an obvious cry for some sort of relationship or affection, she comes very close to him and takes the book off him, slowly, finger by finger. Almost immediately after, Stevens pushes her away and tells her to leave. These points simply prove that Steven’s is too tied up in his butler role that his personal life, his love and emotion are merely tossed aside, and his ‘ideal’ has taken over his life.
It is completely obvious, that in these two last paragraphs, points have point shown that prove there is real emotion for Miss. Kenton, and Miss. Kenton has feelings for Stevens but he chooses not to admit this, and once again struggles to deal with the truth, the real emotion which he tosses aside, but instead chooses to strive off his professionalism.
During the last chapter of the book, 2 days after Stevens had met Miss. Kenton once again, there is some dialogue which proves Stevens true emotion fully, and it makes the reader actually believe he has a chance of changing his life around. ‘Indeed – Why should I not admit it? – at that moment, my heart was breaking’, this is a very important line, which proves, finally, that Mr. Stevens does love Miss. Kenton, he has finally accepted it to himself. Stevens realises now that he has given everything to his profession, and nothing to himself personally. This is a key point for optimism, proving that there are real sentiments after all. When Steven’s sees the strangers, friendly chat with other, he then goes back to this ‘bantering’ business. He decides to make a fresh start with it, and give it back to himself, the balance between personal and professionalism.
Looking deep into the character of Mr. Stevens, I can see that there is authentic emotion to be revealed, and with deep contemplation he can sometimes reveal it himself. His love for Miss. Kenton, finally, proves that he has got the will to change his life around, but has he got the time to. Stevens devoted his whole life to the ‘ideal’ of being a ‘perfect’ butler, and in the end came out with nothing, except the recognition of what he has left. Miss Kenton on the other hand, manages to find her life when her daughter gives birth. Now she has something that can be valued in her life. She has something that she can share her love with. Basically, Miss Kenton has successfully found what she is looking for in her life, that is happiness and love even though she has to let Stevens go because of his unwillingness to change.
