Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[imchongjun]

Hello, teachers.

Could you tell me what "impersonal" in the following sentence mean?

("They" in this sentence are an old couple who worked as butler and maid when they were young.)
In former days, when they had each been leading the sheltered, impersonal, and, above all, financially easy existence which is the compensation life offers to those men and women who deliberately take upon themselves the yoke of domestic service, they had both lived in houses overlooking Regent's Park.
(The Lodger by Marie Belloc Lowndes)

I understand that when they were working as servants, they had a protected (="sheltered") and financially easy life. But "impersonal" existence? What does it mean? I appreciate your help very much.

[pugachevV]

It means that, although they look after the person for whom they work, in some cases even helping them to get dressed, there is no personal attachment to that person.
They take on the same duties as a mother does to her family, but there is no motherly love involved.