Dignity Flashcards
criterion for an applicant of a butler
‘The most crucial criterion is that the applicant be possessed of a dignity in keeping with one’s position.’
being a butler to some is like a costume that one can take of when work is over, he sees it as something you inhabit, it is ingrained into your being and will not be ‘shaken out’
For such persons, being a butler is like playing some pantomime role; a small push, a slight stumble, and the façade will drop off to reveal the actor underneath.
when you can take off your facade as a butler
“this will invariably be when he is entirely alone.’
Stevens sees our duty as wholly to our employer not to our own opinions or ‘sentiments’
Surely I don’t have to remind you that our professional duty is not to our own foibles and sentiments, but to the wishes of our employer.”
Mr Harry smith, recognises slavery is the antithesis of dignity.
‘And I don’t need to remind anyone here, there’s no dignity in being a slave.’ Mr Harry Smith
Harry has a completely different idea of what dignity means/ one that completely contradicts Stevens
“And its one of the privileges of being born English that no matter who you are, no matter if you’re rich or poor, you’re born free… That’s what dignity’s really about.”
what he calls loyalty others would call slavery, constricts himself in even having his own opinions.
“A butler who is forever attempting to formulate his own ‘strong opinions’ on his employer’s affairs is bound to lack one quality essential in all good professionals: namely, loyalty.
a butler makes a small but significant contribution to the greater good of humanity.
Surely it is enough that the likes of you and I at least try to make our small contribution count for something true and worthy.”
realizes no dignity in being a slave to his job, in not even making one’s own decisions/ mistakes right or wrong.
All those years I served him, I trusted I was doing something worthwhile. I can’t even say I made my own mistakes. Really - one has to ask oneself - what dignity is there in that?
When Dr C asks Stevens what D is
‘not taking one’s clothes off in public’
