stevens' sense of professionalism

“’I’m glad Father is feeling so much better,” I said again eventually. ‘Now really, I’d best be getting back. As I say, the situation is rather violated.’ He went on looking at his hands for a moment.  Then he said slowly: ‘I hope I’ve been a good father to you.’ I laughed a little and said: ‘I’m so glad you’re feeling better now.’ ‘I’m proud of you. A good son. I hope I’ve been a good father to you. I suppose I haven’t.’ ‘I’m afraid we’re extremely busy now, but we can talk again in the morning.’ My father was still looking at his hands as though he were faintly irritated by them.”

           This section takes place during the final night of the conference when it was quite a busy night and the illness of Stevens’ father.  As I analyze the narrative in this passage, I realize that Stevens don’t mention any sign of stress or sadness as if he is blinded to this chaos. However, when Cardinal and Darlington ask if Stevens was alright, Stevens’ eyes seem like they had been crying, and it is these remarks that implies to us Stevens’ character.  From this, we can say that Stevens isn’t a fully reliable narrator since his narrative hides some feelings from readers.  The fact that Stevens hides his emotions portrays part of his character of how he is in denial to show weakness.  It could also be because of his English norms because in the U.S., death of family is a crucial point.

                Dignity is a vital part of Stevens’ character as well.  Even though his father laid in his deathbed talking his final words to him, Stevens mentions how it is busy downstairs and that he should get back to work.  He shows no emotion to any of this and is very robotic. His priorities rely on the “professionalism” of his work, and his father lies after.  Moments like these when Stevens is caring for his father first rather than his work is viewed unprofessional by himself.  But truthfully, this is when Stevens is most relateable to us as human and not robotic.