Theme+1+Remains+of+the+Day

__**Remains of the Day Theme Topic 1**__ (You may click on the Theme description to get some possible examples from your classmates. These examples are not necessarily accurate. Even if they are, they may not work in your theme, but hopefully they will help you brainstorm more ideas)

You should also check out the Theme Resources for more ways to improve your theme.

1. Sacrifice: All the major characters in this novel, in their quest to serve the greater good, sacrifice their personal lives. Focus on a few characters and analyze the sacrifices they make, their reasons for making them, and the effect these sacrifices have on their lives. Is this sacrifice worth it? What does Ishiguro seem to be saying about the conflict between duty and personal happiness?

2. Duty & Dignity: Examine how different characters approach their professional lives and how the word “professional” gets used, positively and negatively. What statement does this novel make about the relationship between the personal and the professional?

3. Denial: Although Stevens is the narrator, he presents facts in the way he would like them to be/have been. Elucidate these instances of denial, and explain their importance to Stevens.

4. “Dominated by a sense of waste”: Analyze how characters in this novel come to realize that they have made irreparable mistakes and thus barred themselves from happiness. In conclusion you might discuss characters who successfully craft more fulfilling lives.

__**Schedule/Deadlines**__

Sept 11: Thesis Statement and Rough Outline (please list your explanations) Sept 15: Rough Draft emailed to me by 10am (serrann@montgomerybell.edu) Sept 17 & 19: Printed rough draft due in class; peer critique workshops Sept 20: Theme due in class in hard copy.

__Please note, you must meet__ each __of the above deadlines. If on the assigned days, you have__ an incomplete or missing __outline or draft, your theme grade will be reduce by__ 2 points.__


 * Length**: 850-1100 words

Essays should follow standard MBA theme format (see [|MBA Writing Center]). Reminders: double space, paginated, title page, works cited (line beneath essay, not a separate page, for citations see [|MLA Citation Guide]), and word count. Be sure to proofread closely.
 * Format**

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