Page 2, Image 118 of 180: Stephens walks out in a hallway of an empty home about to be occupied by Mr. Lewis, an American millionaire not like the English aristocrat that Stephens served for decades. Memories of the previous era of Lord Darlington and the army of maids and under butlers who served the influential dignitaries and aristocrats who visited there, come back to him, a sign that the Darlington era has not completely vanished, at least not with Stephens. When Stephens realizes at the end that Miss Kenton’s returning to service there will not happen, as she was one of the best parts of his life at Darlington hall (save for Lord Darlington, who has just died) he realizes that the life he has been accustomed to for so long is now completely gone, never to return. This is a coming of age movie, where major changes (the passing of one whom Stephens gratefully dedicated many years of service to, and the final goodbye to a former head housekeeper who still means a great deal to him, who was about to return after many years of being away until circumstances permanently changed that) have just occurred. The movie starts with a perspective from a car moving toward the grand residence – I believe that the viewpoint is indicative of a newly born spirit of the age that will exist in the coming era of Mr. Lewis, the new owner of the grand residence. Also, at the end of the movie, a bird’s eye view, flying away from the grand residence, is also shown, and I believe that is showing the spirit of the former age leaving, as the Darlington era now departs from Earth. I also believe that Stephens represents the country of England where the movie takes place, keeping within him the ideals of tradition, dignity and honor, faithfully dedicating the best years of his life in service to those ends through Lord Darlington. As I appreciate that a young person may find this movie slow and dull, an older person, however, might appreciate the important milestones that are being dealt with. As Stephens’ life now undergoes significant change, so too does the world. In the movie, WWII ended not long before, and England is no longer the world leader that it was in Darlington’s time. America has now taken on that role, and the millionaire (Mr. Lewis) seems to represent America, as he now owns the grand residence. Also. the grand residence appears to represent the world, as its owner characterizes the prevailing order of things at the time. Not only has the staff and ownership changed there, but the owner is different. Mr. Lewis likes to make jokes and have Mr. Stephens play along with him, something Stephens has never done before. Lord Darlington would never have made funny jabs and wisecracks to Stephens, who seems to get them a lot from Mr. Lewis. It is one of those changes that Stephens adjusts himself to in post-war, post-Darlington era England. It is not certain how Stephens feels now – he has to regret not making things right with Miss Kenton – and knows that he is old and cannot continue indefinitely as a butler. Does he feel sad and worn out for never allowing himself to be either personally involved or fully express his feelings to someone else – or does the arrival of Mr. Lewis divert him from such despair? His whole life has been spent serving a master – he has a schedule and an ethos based on that – he has forsaken a personal life in order to be of better service to his master. Is he proud of such an achievement, or, like Miss Kenton, does he feel that he has wasted his life (in his case for the sake of a job, or merely for getting work done?) Does he feel that his life is vacant, that history has deemed him a fool for failing to find love or forming a family? Or, is he a victor, one of the few who remain faithful, diligent in doing his duty for his late father (also a butler), his master, and his country? Is he similar to the legendary sentries of old, who faithfully stand guard for the one to whom they are devoted, making significant sacrifices to such end? This movie tells a story either of fulfilment or loss. Stephens is either a hero or a fool. Also, keep in mind that Stephens does not falter in the face of major disruptions. His father, just before passing away on his deathbed, tells Stephens that his mother was unfaithful in her marriage, and Stephens still succeeds in doing his duty that day, something he believes his father would have wanted. Miss Kenton, before leaving Darlington Hall to get married, tries to provoke an emotional expression from Mr. Stephens by insulting him after giving her notice during an important night there, he still does his duty under during an important night. Also, Mr. Lewis, then an American congressman, insults everyone at an important dinner before Lord Darlington for their political naivete during the rise of Hitler in the grand residence. Mr. Stephens still does his duty with honor. Also, at another time, Lord Darlington fires two very good maids because his Nazi-sympathizing friends might not be comfortable with their being Jewish, possibly endangering the Jewish girls with having to return to Germany. Disturbed and upset by this very much, Mr. Stephens still does his duty faithfully. Also, one of Darlington’s friends treats Stephens as a fool to illustrate some political point, to which he still maintains his honor and dignity. Finally, after the war, Lord Darlington falls into a life of shame, regret and isolation after a British tabloid smears him as a Nazi sympathizer, to which he sues and then has his image ruined by them afterward. Despite this, Stephens continues faithfully doing his duty – he never quits – he remains loyal to his master and is grateful to him despite it all. Strangely, I am also reminded of the poem “Little Boy Blue”, a story about a group of toys in a neglected bedroom closet, faithfully waiting without fail for the little boy who placed them there years ago until one day when he no longer appeared to them. Sadly the boy died, but the toys don’t know this, and they continue to gather dust and some even rust; however they diligently wait, hoping for the day when little boy blue will return to pick them up so the boy can make himself happy by playing with the toys again. Stephens reminds me of the dusty toy soldier, despite working for a new employer, he is still devoted and faithful to his former master, as if hopeful that one day he might return with his reputation restored and that Darlington Hall, and even England, may also be restored to their former glory. Also, forgive me, but on a personal note, my mother, to whom I’ve been a caregiver for several years as well as a companion for the last 56 years, 33 of which were spent at our present residence, has just passed away. She was the remaining parent, the pillar of our family – a strong willed person, a woman of class, elegance and dignity, and very kind, a member of the old school who found a way to remain young at heart. Unlike me, she knew how to light up a room with her kind and gracious demeanor. Her departure marks the end of an era of considerable influence. After we moved to Northwest Indiana, she would host large Christmas eve dinners at our house, kind of making our house the gathering place for our entire family, and people came from all around. She was much liked in the community and her former students appreciated her for being such a nice person The house we lived in is hopefully being sold soon, and the furniture in it that we’ve had since I was born (if all goes well with the sale) should be auctioned off in a month. Also I have 2 sisters, and my one brother has 3 daughters, and I am unmarried and childless, meaning that our family name will not continue after my generation passes. So, like Mr. Stephens, I am witnessing the end of an era, as I am now living through the departure of the spirit of an age that guided our family and had a prevailing order over it for several decades. I don’t know who the pillar of the family will be – maybe my sister and brother (who have families) will be the pillars of their own families – maybe my other sister and I will find some way to keep close if possible. I’m not sure what my primary function or purpose will be in life, hopefully I can be of service to my uncle who has been kind enough to take me in. Please forgive this personal account, but I thought I’d share these ideas now, as I can identify with Mr. Stephens a little bit at this time.

The symbolism in this scene, as well as in other parts of the movie, is remarkable. This story of profound personal and historical change centered around a unique relationship between Mister Stephens and Miss Kenton when they worked together is something – even the rain and night scenery here is symbolic of what little “remains of the day”. – the last time they get to see each other and even the weather won’t allow the departure to be easy – the changes that moved them apart won’t let them have clear thoughts or a final say in peace – they’re also not ready to say goodbye yet – the sense of what they had, and lost, is strong – the rain and night scenery reflect that – Miss Kenton and Mister Stephens are not happy as they used to be – they would’ve adjusted to better times and rekindled that happiness if Miss Kenton could’ve gone back to work with Stephens at former Darlington Hall – they’re not getting the chance to correct any past mistakes or have the time to say what they really want – changes over the decades have also made them different – still, they must deal with the consequences from actions based on fear and desperation made years ago. Also, the fact they’re never returning to better times from the past now makes it so that they don’t really connect like they should now. Now, Miss Kenton will return to the aftermath of a failed marriage, and Stephens will go back to a once great manor that is now suffering from scandal. Also, a new American master, who in no way reflects England’s traditional aristocracy as did Lord Darlington, once distinguished himself by rudely belittling Lord Darlington and his guests there years before. The scenery really evokes a sense of profound departure – showing that a once beautiful relationship and fascinating era is now completely over.