Remains of the Day (D3.p.m.)

Day Three - Evening

What does Stevens address? (Beginning of Day Three - Evening)

The question of Lord Darlington’s attitude to Jewish Persons

What issue does Stevens realize has become quite sensitive?

Anti-semitism

What allegation does Stevens seek to dismiss? (Day Three - Evening)

That there was a bar against Jewish staff at Darlington Hall

Throughout Stevens’ years at Darlington Hall the Jewish staff were…

many and never discriminated against on account of race.

How did the rumor Lord Darlington was anti-semitic emerge?

The few weeks when Mrs. Carolyn Barnet came to wield unusual influence over him

When did Mrs. Barnet wield influence over Lord Darlington?

The early 1930’s

Who was Mrs. Barnet the widow of?

Mr. Charles Barnet

When Mrs. Barnet had influence over Lord Darlington how old was she?

In her 40’s

What did Mrs. Barnet look like?

Very handsome, and to some, glamorous

What was Mrs. Barnet’s Reputation

Formidably intelligent

How did Mrs. Barnet gain her reputation?

She had humiliated educated gentlemen at dinner over important contemporary issues

When was Mrs. Barnet a regular presence at Darlington Hall?

Much of the Summer of 1932

How did Mrs. Barnet and Lord Darlington spend hours together?

Deep in conversation

What type of conversations did Lord Darlington and Mrs. Barnet typically have?

Political or Social ones

Who took Lord Darlington on ‘guided inspections?’

Mrs. Barnet

Where were Lord Darlington and Mrs. Barnet’s ‘guided inspections?’

The poorest areas of London’s East End

Whose homes did Lord Darlington visit during ‘guided inspections?’

Many suffering families in hardship

What did Mrs. Barnet contribute to?

Lord Darlington’s developing concern for the poor of England

Why wasn’t Mrs. Barnet’s influence completely negative?

She aided in developing Lord Darlington’s concern for the poor

What organization was Mrs. Barnet a part of?

Sir Oswald Mosley’s ‘Blackshirts’

When did Lord Darlington have little contact with Sir Oswald

A few weeks in the summer of 1932

Why did Sir Oswald and Lord Darlington meet?

Mrs. Barnet was a member of the ‘Blackshirts’

During whose weeks of contact did atypical incidents occur which led to the antisemitic allegations against Lord Darlington

Sir Oswald Mosley

Some of the incidents during Sir Oswald’s visits extremely minor (T/F)

True

What did Lord Darlington call a particular newspaper over dinner one evening?

“That Jewish propaganda sheet”

Why did Lord Darlington ask Stevens to cease giving donations to a particular local charity which regularly came to the door of Darlington Hall?

The management was "‘more or less homogeneously Jewish”

Why was Stevens surprised at Lord Darlington’s antisemitic comments?

Lord Darlington never previously shown antagonism towards the Jewish

When did Lord Darlington call Stevens into his study to ask for there to be no Jewish staff?

Afternoon

Where did Lord Darlington ask for there to be no Jewish staff at Darlington Hall?

In his study

Why did Lord Darlington ask for no Jewish staff to be present at Darlington Hall?

For the good of the house and interest of the guests that they had staying there

Before asking for there to be no Jewish staff at Darlington Hall, what did Lord Darlington ask about?

General conversation on if all was well around the house

How many Jewish staff were at Darlington Hall before Lord Darlington barred them?

2

When is the closest Stevens had ever come to questioning his employer’s authority?

Saying “I beg your pardon, sir?” when told to let go 2 of the Jewish staff members at Darlington Hall.

What is Lord Darlington’s reason when pushing for Stevens to let go the 2 Jewish members of staff at Darlington Hall?

That it’s for the safety and well-being of Darlington Hall’s guests

Who were the two Jewish staff members’ titles?

Housemaids

Who did Stevens feel was proper to inform before firing the 2 housemaids?

Miss Kenton

When did Stevens decide to meet with Ms. Kenton to discuss the firings?

The same evening Lord Darlington asked for there to be no Jewish staff at Darlington Hall

Where did Stevens decide to meet with Ms. Kenton to discuss the’ firings?

In her parlour for cocoa

What was the tone of Stevens’ meetings with Ms. Kenton?

Overwhelmingly professional

Stevens says it’s natural that him and Ms. Kenton discuss what during their meetings sometimes?

Informal topics

Why did Ms. Kenton and Stevens feel the need to institute meetings?

Their lives were so busy, so they often didn’t have the opportunity to exchange even the most basic of information.

What did Ms. Kenton and Stevens feel was jeopardizing the smooth running of operations?

Their lack of time to properly communicate with one another

What type of solution did Stevens call the meetings between him and Ms. Kenton

Straightforward remedies

How long were Stevens and Ms. Kenton’s meetings?

15 minutes or so

When did Miss Kenton and Stevens have periodical meetings?

At the end of the day over cocoa

What were examples of the topics discussed in Stevens and Ms. Kenton’s meetings?

Plans for a forthcoming event or how a new recruit was settling in

At the prospect of telling Miss Kenton he was about to dismiss 2 of her maids, Stevens felt?

Not unperturbed

The 2 Jewish maids satisfactory Employees? (T/F)

True

What were the two minor incidents of Lord Darlington antisemitism Stevens discusses?

Lord Darlington asking Stevens to not donate to a charity for its management being “homogeneously Jewish” and calling a newspaper a “Jewish propaganda sheet”

Why did Stevens’ every instinct oppose the idea of dismissing the 2 maids?

Antisemitism had become a sensitive issue

Why did Stevens not reject the idea of firing the Jewish maids?

It was his duty, and there wasn’t anything to be gained from irresponsibly displaying personal doubts.

What was the difficult task that demanded dignity?

Telling Ms. Kenton her 2 Jewish maids were being let go

At what part of their meeting conversation did Stevens raise the firings with Ms. Kenton?

Towards the end

How did Stevens introduce the firings with Ms. Kenton?

Concise and businesslike as possible

How did Stevens end the his the conversation about the firings?

Asking Ms. Kenton to send the maids to his pantry the next morning to discuss their firing.

What did Stevens say was up to Ms. Kenton’s discretion when telling the 2 maids to visit him?

The nature of what Stevens had planned to say to them

When did Stevens ask Ms. Kenton to send the 2 maids to his pantry?

10:30 the next morning

How did Ms. Kenton react to hearing her 2 maids were being fired?

Intense fury, indignation, speechlessness, and moral outrage.

What were the name of the 2 Jewish maids?

Ruth and Sarah

How long were the 2 maids a part of the staff?

Over 6 years

What were 3 of the reasons Ms. Kenton lists in her moral outrage?

That the 2 maids have been a part of the staff for 6 years, have earned absolute mutual trust between them and her, and served the house excellently,

What does Stevens say in resposne to Ms. Kenton’s outrage?

He acknowledges her points but believes they “must not allow sentiment to creep into [their] judgement.”

What can Ms. Kenton not believe?

That Ruth and Sarah are being dismissed because they’re Jewish

Why does Ms. Kenton say she can’t work in a house like Darlington Hall?

She will not work in a house that such discrimination occurs, and she could not stand for such things.

What does Stevens say in response to Ms. Kenton’s comment about leaving and morality?

He tells Ms. Kenton “not to excite [her]self and to conduct [her]self in a manner befitting [her] position”

What does Stevens call the matter to Ms. Kenton?

Straightforward and little to be said after Lord Darlington made his wishes.

What does Ms. Kenton threaten?

That if the maids are fired, she’ll also leave

Stevens is surprised at Ms. Kenton’s reaction because of which of his belief?

That they have a higher duty to their employer than personal values or sentiments

Ms. Kenton calls firing her maids what?

Wrong and a sin

Why does Stevens dismiss Ms. Kenton’s moral stance?

Her lower title/status compared to Lord Darlington

What does Stevens say is not a topic that him or Ms. Kenton can pass judgement on because of their positions?

The nature of Jewry

Stevens believes that, in such a complicated and treacherous world, a better judge for what is best (concerning the Jewish) is?

Lord Darlington

How was it evident that when the maids stepped into Stevens’ pantry Ms. Kenton told them they were being fired?

They both came in sobbing

How did Stevens explain the situation of their firing to the 2 maids?

Briefly

What did Stevens underline in his firing meeting with the housemaids?

Their satisfactory work and that they would receive good references.

The 2 housemaids said something of note throughout the interview (T/F)

False

After what event was Miss Kenton extremely cold for some days following?

The dismissal of the employees

In the presence of other staff, Ms. Kenton was not rude to Stevens after the maids’ firings (T/F)

False

What effect did the dismissals have on the evening cocoa meetings?

They became brief and unfriendly

When did Stevens start becoming impatient with Ms. Kenton?

When her cold demeanor surpassed and had no sign of stopping after a fortnight (14 days).

What did Stevens say ironically and with an accompanying light laugh after being impatient with Ms. Kenton’s cold behavior?

That he “expected [her] to handed in [her] notice by now”

What did Stevens hope would happen after joking about Ms. Kenton’s notice?

That she would relent her cold behavior and offer an apology, allowing them to move on

What did Ms. Kenton sternly say she had every intention of handing in after Stevens’ joke?

Her notice of leave.

Why did Ms. Kenton not hand in her notice of leave yet?

Busyness

How did Stevens react to Ms. Kenton’s response to his joke?

Concerned that she was serious about her threat

When did it become clear Ms. Kenton was not leaving Darlington Hall?

Weeks passed and her demeanor with Stevens thawed.

How did Stevens tease Ms. Kenton weeks after the dismissals?

By reminding her of her threatened resignation?

When discussing some future large occasion being held in Darlington Hall was Stevens’ tease to Ms. Kenton?

That it was “assuming [she was] still with [them] at that stage”

Even months after the firings, how did Ms. Kenton react to Stevens’ dismissal teasings?

By going quiet

Why did Stevens think Ms. Kenton went quiet after being teased months after?

More embarrassment than rage

When did the 2 maids’ firings come up again one last time?

Over a year after the event

Who brought up the dismissal of the maids for the last time?

Lord Darlington

Where was the last mention of the maids’ dismissals brought up?

In Lord Darlington’s drawing room

What was Steven doing when the last mention of the maids’ dismissals brought up?

Serving tea

Mrs. Barnet’s influence over Lord Darlington was still present when the maids’ dismissal was brought up for the last time (T/F)

False

During the last mention of the maids’ dismissals who had ceased to be a visitor at Darlington Hall altogether?

Mrs. Barnet

During the last mention of the maids’ dismissals what relationship did Lord Darlington have with the ‘blackshirts’

He severed all links with them

Why did Lord Darlington sever all ties with the ‘Blackshirts?’

He had witnessed the true, ugly nature of the organizations

Why did Lord Darlington wish to trace the maids he let go?

He wanted to recompense them

How did Stevens respond to Lord Darlington’s wish to recompense the maids?

He said he’ll look into it, but it may not be possible to ascertain their whereabouts.