Abstract: From the perspective of literary ethics, this paper discusses through close reading the paradox of Stevens’ ethical identity in Kazuo Ishiguro’s The Remains of the Day. Stevens’ paradoxical ethical identity stems from his singular, formulaic understanding of identity. The bias towards identity entraps Stevens into ethical conflicts and contributes to his life tragedy. The exploration of Stevens’ paradoxical identity and its cause in this paper aims at revealing the internal paradox of a singularized identity and appreciating Ishiguro’s disapproval of Thatcherism in the British society in the 1980s and his pursuit of open, inclusive, multi-faceted identities.

Keywords: ethical identity; personal identity; national identity; paradox; ethical conflict

摘要： 本文从文学伦理学的批评视角，通过文本细读，探讨石黑一雄小说《长日留痕》的主人公史蒂文斯所面临的伦理身份悖论。史蒂文斯的伦理身份悖论源于他对身份单一化、公式化的认知模式。这种身份偏见使史蒂文斯陷入伦理冲突，最终酿成了他的人生悲剧。通过对史蒂文斯身份悖论深层原因的探究，本文试图揭示单一身份模式的内在悖谬性，解读石黑一雄对20 世纪80 年代英国社会中的“撒切尔主义”的批判以及对开放性、包容性、多重性身份的追求。

关键词: 伦理身份, 个人身份, 民族身份, 悖论, 伦理冲突