18上 | 职业巅峰 or 人生低谷

上集回顾

上集我们终结了对旧主的人物画像，觉得他其实既可笑又可悲，而且也完全可以像算命先生一样预知他今后大概的人生悲剧了。同时我们也引入了Stevens为会议所投入的一些，不管是爬上身体如大山般的压力pressure mounting on him,还是如将军般进入战斗状态prepare for a battle, make“pep-talk” before hand. 

正文阅读

In fact, as the great challenge of the conference drew nearer, an astonishing change seemed to come over my father. It was almost as though some supernatural force possessed him, causing him to shed twenty years; his face lost much of the sunken look of recent times, and he went about his work with such youthful vigour that a stranger might have believed there were not one but several such figures pushing trolleys about the corridors of Darlington Hall.

My father opened his eyes, turned his head a little on the pillow, and looked at me.
"I hope Father is feeling better now," I said. He went on gazing at me for a moment, then asked: "Everything in hand downstairs?'
"The situation is rather volatile. It is just after six o'clock, so Father can well imagine the atmosphere in the kitchen at this moment."
An impatient look crossed my father's face. "But is everything in hand?" he said again. "Yes, I dare say you can rest assured on that. I'm very glad Father is feeling better."
With some deliberation, he withdrew his arms from under the bedclothes and gazed tiredly at the backs of his hands. He continued to do this for some time.
"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 volatile."
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.
"I'm so glad you're feeling better now," I said again and took my leave .

"You look as though you're crying."
I laughed and taking out a handkerchief, quickly wiped my face. "I'm very sorry, sir. The strains of a hard day."

Comment: Ironically, the moments when Stevens feels he is being “unprofessional” are those when he seems most human, and when we can best relate to him. 


She is the one who first notices Stevens’ father’s ability is waning. 
She is the one who pushes and forces Stevens to realize and accept this fact.

She is the one who shows her understanding to Stevens’ pursuit of dignity. Therefore, she is the one who stays with the old man when Stevens must attend to matters downstairs and closes his father’s eyes after he passes away. 

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