Deserving

Adam Hummel


"But I see I am becoming preoccupied with these memories and this is perhaps a little foolish. this present trip represents, after all, a rare opportunity for me to savour to the full the many splendours of the english countryside, and i know i shall greatly regret it later if i allow myself to become unduly diverted. in fact, i notice i have yet to record anything of my journey to this city-aside from  mentioning briefly that halt on the hillside road at the very start of it." (67)

In this 8 lined passage Stevens is speaking about being in England and trying to enjoy himself. The wording is proper, as it has always been when Stevens is speaking, so this indicates that Steven is still speaking. Word choices such as foolish, rare, and unduly show that this is a more opinionated passage since it has a more biased tones. He seems unsure as he always does, making observations instead of sureness such as "I notice" or "I see". The only time he is sure, when he uses "I know",is when he talks about regretting 'allowing himself to be diverted'. To have fun or be distracted is something he knows he will regret. So the message of this passage talks about how Steven does not take his needs to be priority or important. He knows he will regret taking something for himself, because he doesn't believe he deserves it.