Spoiler warning: this post explains the full ending of The Remains of the Day. If you have not finished the book, stop here and come back later.
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Quick answer: Stevens, the butler, meets Miss Kenton, now Mrs. Benn, and learns that she once hoped he would love her, but she has chosen to stay with her husband. On a pier at Weymouth, Stevens admits his heart is breaking, then decides to practise “bantering” to please his new American employer.
Quick facts
– Book: The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro
– First published: 1989
– Type: A literary novel
– Tone of the ending: Quietly heartbreaking
Table of Contents
What Leads Up to the Ending
In 1956, Stevens drives across England to visit Miss Kenton, the former housekeeper of Darlington Hall. As he travels, he remembers his years serving Lord Darlington in the 1920s and 1930s, when the house hosted secret meetings to appease Nazi Germany. He also remembers, without admitting it, how he ignored Miss Kenton's feelings for him.
What Happens at the End of The Remains of the Day
Stevens and Mrs. Benn talk politely. She says she sometimes thinks about the life she might have had with him, but she has grown to love her husband and a grandchild is coming. Stevens tells the reader that his heart was breaking at that moment. On the pier, a stranger tells him the evening is the best part of the day. Stevens reflects that he gave his life to Lord Darlington's mistaken cause and decides to make the best of what remains by learning to banter.
The Ending in 4 Quick Points
- Miss Kenton chooses her marriage over the past.
- Stevens finally admits his feelings, if only to the reader.
- He recognizes that his loyalty served a flawed man.
- The “remains of the day” means the time he still has.
What Happens to the Main Characters
| Character | What happens to them |
|---|---|
| Stevens | Returns to Darlington Hall to serve Mr. Farraday |
| Miss Kenton | Stays with Mr. Benn |
| Lord Darlington | Died disgraced after the war |
| Mr. Farraday | Stevens's new American employer |
What the Ending Means
The ending is about the cost of emotional restraint. Stevens buried his feelings and his judgment in the name of dignity, and only now sees what he lost.
Other Ways to Read the Ending
Some readers find hope in his decision to adapt and try again. Others find it unbearably sad that bantering is all he can manage.
Themes the Ending Brings Together
Dignity. Stevens's idea of dignity has cost him love.
Regret. The quiet ending lets his regret surface at last.
Loyalty. His devotion to Darlington is shown to be misplaced.
Is the Ending Happy or Sad?
Most readers describe the ending of The Remains of the Day as quietly heartbreaking. How you feel about it usually depends on what you hoped for the characters and what you expected Kazuo Ishiguro to do with the story, so it is worth asking friends how they felt before you compare notes.
Who Will Like This Ending
Readers who enjoy endings that are quietly heartbreaking will find a lot to talk about here. If you prefer every thread tied up neatly, it helps to know in advance how Kazuo Ishiguro closes the story, which is exactly why many readers look it up. Either way, the final chapters reward a second look once you know where everything is heading, because small details from the middle of the book start to matter. If you are reading with a group, agree beforehand whether everyone has finished, so nobody has the last chapters spoiled.
Book Versus Adaptation
The 1993 film with Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson ends with Miss Kenton leaving on a bus in the rain.
Discussion Questions About the Ending
If you are reading The Remains of the Day with a book club or a friend, these questions work well once everyone has finished:
- Did the ending surprise you, or had you seen it coming from the first chapters?
- What does the final scene say about dignity, and do you agree with Kazuo Ishiguro's view?
- Which character made the most important choice in the last part of the book, and was it the right one?
- How would the story feel if it had ended one chapter earlier or one chapter later?
- Does the ending leave you hopeful about the characters, or do you worry about what comes next?
- Would you describe the ending as quietly heartbreaking, or would you choose a different word?
How to Read the Final Chapters Again
- Compare the opening with the close. Look at how the first chapter introduces dignity and how the ending answers it.
- Track each final choice. The table above shows where every main character ends up, so ask which of those outcomes was earned.
- Notice what Kazuo Ishiguro leaves unsaid. Gaps in the last pages are often deliberate, and they are where most of the debate about the ending begins.
- Listen for echoes. Images, phrases or settings from earlier in The Remains of the Day often return in the final scene with a new meaning.
Questions to Ask Yourself After Finishing
- Was the ending of The Remains of the Day earned by what came before it, or did it feel sudden?
- Which character's final moment affected you most, and why?
- If you could change one thing about the last chapters, what would it be?
- Did the ending change how you think about the opening pages?
Check price of The Remains of the Day on Amazon
Books to Read After The Remains of the Day
- Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
- Atonement by Ian McEwan
Related: The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro: Summary and Key Takeaways · 15 Books Like The Remains of the Day You’ll Love
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at the end of The Remains of the Day?
Stevens, the butler, meets Miss Kenton, now Mrs. Benn, and learns that she once hoped he would love her, but she has chosen to stay with her husband. On a pier at Weymouth, Stevens admits his heart is breaking, then decides to practise “bantering” to please his new American employer.
Is the ending of The Remains of the Day happy or sad?
Most readers call it quietly heartbreaking.
What does the ending of The Remains of the Day mean?
The ending is about the cost of emotional restraint.
Is the ending of The Remains of the Day the same in the adaptation?
The 1993 film with Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson ends with Miss Kenton leaving on a bus in the rain.
Who wrote The Remains of the Day and when was it published?
The Remains of the Day was written by Kazuo Ishiguro and first published in 1989.
Is The Remains of the Day worth reading if I already know the ending?
Yes, especially if you enjoy literary novels. Knowing the ending can make a first read richer, because you notice how Kazuo Ishiguro prepares for it from the opening chapters.
Should I read The Remains of the Day before reading the ending explained?
Yes, if you plan to read it, because this post gives away the whole ending.