Steven's Restraint

"And yet what precisely is this greatness? I would say that it is the very lack of obvious drama or spectacle that sets the beauty of our land apart. What is pertinent is the calmness of that beauty, its sense of restraint. It is as though the land knows of its own beauty, of its own greatness, and feels no need to shout it." (28)
The description of the landscape is a metaphor for Steven's restraint as a butler. The idea of greatness is usually associated with something big or very impact. However, in this passage he is conveying the idea that you do not have to be bold and loud to be great, but rather simple and content with what you are doing. Stevens is content with his job as a butler and it is not seen that he strives to be anything else but perfect at that specific job.  
As a butler, Steven is constantly restrained. Much like a landscape, he cannot use words as a way to communicate an idea or meaning. He represses his thoughts and emotions. Stevens acts indifferent to everything that happens to him like it does not bother him. This can be seen clearly when he chooses his work over his father's death. Although Stevens isn't very active with words, he compensates it with working diligently at his job. In conclusion, his passage says a lot about Steven as a character. It shows how he finds beauty in simple things and is not seeking the egotistical things everyone else needs. It shows that he doesn't need to speak in order to be great, but rather conveys it through actions. "Actions speak louder than words."