Discuss postcolonial themes in The Remains of the Day.

I think that one of the fundamental tenets of
postcolonialism calls for a reevaluation of previously held beliefs and ideas.  For
example, it is not unusual for a postcolonial text to reexamine the relationship between
the foreign power that occupied an indigeneous nation.  In much the same way, one of the
critical elements out of Ishiguro's work lies in how Stevens has to reexamine Lord
Darlington's actions on a political scale and his own actions on a personal one.  The
revisionism of history on both planes of existence is one element of postcolonial
thought present in the novel.  To a great extent, this process of revisionism rests in
the notion of reexamining and reclaiming an element of identity.  A postcolonial theme
in its own right, Stevens journey towards reclamation of his own notion of identity and
how right and wrong were both misread at different points in his life.  The notion of
"reclaiming" this identity comes through Stevens' reexamination of it.  Finally, I would
say that the postcolonial notion of "hybridity" is something with which Stevens must
come to terms.  The postcolonial text often features the "hybrid" individual as someone
that has one foot in one realm and another foot in another.  Seemingly living a dual
consciousness in both realities, being in the world is formed out of both.  In a way,
Stevens experiences his own notion of "hybridity" in how he must reconcile himself in
the past with who he is right now.  He must come to terms with his own failures both on
a personal and professional level.  This consists of his own missed opportunities for
love and his misplaced faith in Lord Darlington.  Like his own father before his death,
Stevens must reconcile the decisions of the past with the ever uncertain present and an
even more uncertain future.  In this, a postcolonial representation of Stevens is
present.