The Consequences of Unfulfilled Desire in Kazuo Ishiguro’s The Remains of the Day: Lacan Psychoanalysis Study

Aden Saladin, Maulana; Anam, Zuhrul

doi:10.34050/els-jish.v9i2.51667

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The Consequences of Unfulfilled Desire in Kazuo Ishiguro’s The Remains of the Day: Lacan Psychoanalysis Study

ELS Journal on Interdisciplinary Studies in Humanities · Vol. 9 No. 2 (2026) · hlm. 509–519

DOI: 10.34050/els-jish.v9i2.51667
ISSN: 2621-0835, 2621-0843
Terbit: 2026-06-22
Penerbit: Hasanuddin University
Bahasa: en
Lisensi: creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0

Abstrak

Desire often produces psychological conflict and identity crisis, especially when an individual’s sense of self depends on social ideals and hierarchical authority. Using Lacanian psychoanalytic register theory, this study examines the consequences of the unfulfilled desire of Stevens, the main character in The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro. The study explores how Stevens’ desire is constructed through Imaginary identification with ideal figures such as his father, and structured within the Symbolic order of professionalism, dignity, and loyalty to Lord Darlington. This study analyses key narrative events, dialogues, and character reflections using a qualitative descriptive method and content analysis to reveal how Stevens’ identity is formed and sustained by external authority. The findings demonstrate that Stevens’ desire is shaped not by personal fulfilment but by external ideals that structure his Symbolic identity and behaviour. Regret then emerges as a consequence of the collapse of the Symbolic framework. Lacanian theory can conceptualize this moment as the gap between Stevens’ ideal and his actual life.

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State University of Semarang

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Rekan penulis	Organisasi	Artikel bersama
Chrisna Aditya Siagian	State University of Semarang	1
Adilla Tazkya Putri	State University of Semarang	1

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Sumber metadata: OAI-PMH (metadata jurnal) https://journal.unhas.ac.id/index.php/jish/oai, pertama di-harvest 3 Nov 2026, terakhir terlihat 8 Nov 2026.

Metadata asli (oai_dc)

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	<dc:title xml:lang="en">The Consequences of Unfulfilled Desire in Kazuo Ishiguro’s The Remains of the Day: Lacan Psychoanalysis Study</dc:title>
	<dc:creator xml:lang="en">Aden Saladin, Maulana</dc:creator>
	<dc:creator xml:lang="en">Anam, Zuhrul</dc:creator>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">Desire</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">Kazuo Ishiguro</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">Psychoanalysis</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">Regret</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">The Remains of the Day</dc:subject>
	<dc:description xml:lang="en">Desire often produces psychological conflict and identity crisis, especially when an individual’s sense of self depends on social ideals and hierarchical authority. Using Lacanian psychoanalytic register theory, this study examines the consequences of the unfulfilled desire of Stevens, the main character in The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro. The study explores how Stevens’ desire is constructed through Imaginary identification with ideal figures such as his father, and structured within the Symbolic order of professionalism, dignity, and loyalty to Lord Darlington. This study analyses key narrative events, dialogues, and character reflections using a qualitative descriptive method and content analysis to reveal how Stevens’ identity is formed and sustained by external authority. The findings demonstrate that Stevens’ desire is shaped not by personal fulfilment but by external ideals that structure his Symbolic identity and behaviour. Regret then emerges as a consequence of the collapse of the Symbolic framework. Lacanian theory can conceptualize this moment as the gap between Stevens’ ideal and his actual life.</dc:description>
	<dc:publisher xml:lang="en">Hasanuddin University</dc:publisher>
	<dc:date>2026-06-22</dc:date>
	<dc:type>info:eu-repo/semantics/article</dc:type>
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	<dc:identifier>https://journal.unhas.ac.id/index.php/jish/article/view/51667</dc:identifier>
	<dc:identifier>10.34050/els-jish.v9i2.51667</dc:identifier>
	<dc:source xml:lang="en">ELS Journal on Interdisciplinary Studies in Humanities; Vol. 9 No. 2 (2026): JUNE; 509-519</dc:source>
	<dc:source>2621-0835</dc:source>
	<dc:source>2621-0843</dc:source>
	<dc:source>10.34050/els-jish.v9i2</dc:source>
	<dc:language>en</dc:language>
	<dc:relation>https://journal.unhas.ac.id/index.php/jish/article/view/51667/14608</dc:relation>
	<dc:rights xml:lang="en">Copyright (c) 2026 Maulana Aden Saladin, Zuhrul Anam</dc:rights>
	<dc:rights xml:lang="en">https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0</dc:rights>
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