Bartleby the Scrivener Group

Question:

cmarie33
cmarie33
Student
College - Senior

In reference to the exchanges between the lawyer and Bartleby's jailer, what does the lawyer at this point seem to begin to understand about Bartleby?

there are two speeches: "Lives without dining.." and "asleep...with kings and counselors"

Rate question:

Posted by cmarie33 on Wednesday February 4, 2009 at 12:19 PM and tagged with a scrivener, bartleby, bartleby the scrivener.

Answers:


  1. ms-mcgregor Teacher
    High School - 12th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    The lawyer learns that Bartelby "would prefer not" to live. He rejects all the food the lawyer has paid the jailer to feed him. He simply says "I would prefer not to dine today. It would disagree with me; I'm unused to dinners." The lawyer replies that he thinks Bartelby is "a little deranged". Still, the lawyer returns and is asked by another jailer if he is looking for the "silent man". The lawyer finds Bartelby " but nothing stirred." Bartelby is dead. His soul is now with "kings and counselors".

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/bartleby-scrivener-herman-melville

    Rate answer:

    Posted by ms-mcgregor on Wednesday February 4, 2009 at 1:52 PM