"It was a fine feeling indeed to be standing up there like that, with the sound of summer all around one and a light breeze on one's face. And I believe it was then, looking on that view, that I began for the first time to adopt a frame of mind appropriate for the journey before me. For it was then that I felt for the first healthy flush of anticipation for the many interesting experiences I know these days ahead hold in store for me. And indeed, it was then that I found a new resolve not to be daunted in respect to the one professional task I have entrusted myself with on this trip; that is to say, regarding Miss Kenton and our present staffing problems." (Ishiguro 26).
In this specific passage, Stevens is the only person on top of this mountain looking down upon the English countryside. For the first time in his life, he has left the five mile radius that constrained him to the surroundings of Darlington Hall. Being extremely focused on becoming a "great" butler such as his father, he has neglected his other goals and dreams. Looking down upon the simplicity of the countryside truly opened his eyes to how much he had marginalized his dreams to travel the country, and to not just see the country through books or pictures. Stevens has experienced parts of the country that no one else has by serving Lord Darlington and Mr. Farraday, yet he has cut off his physical connection to the country by staying so close to Darlington Hall.
The recollection of Stevens own thoughts at the end of this passage reveal a piece of his personal values that I had yet to see. Although he is standing on top of this beautiful mountain and should not have a care in the world, he quickly recollects himself to remembering that the only reason he took this trip was to talk to Miss Kenton about staffing issues. By saying "...the one professional task I have entrusted myself with on this trip; that is to say, regarding Miss Kenton and our present staffing problems." (Ishiguro 26). He is once again putting aside his own dreams of traveling the country to fulfill professional tasks. He also discusses adapting a new mind frame, this could be foreshadowing that this trip will indeed in some way change Stevens, whether it is physically, mentally, or emotionally he will come back to Darlington Hall changed. This mind frame could truly be the test of how much Stevens is willing to do to become a "great" butler of if he will just crumble under the pressure of such tasks.
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