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Bartleby the Scrivener, A Tale of Wall Street

by Herman Melville

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Bartleby

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The main character of the story, Bartleby, is employed by a lawyer as a scrivener, tasked with manually copying legal documents. Bartleby is depicted as neat, pale, and desolate. Despite his demeanor hinting at sorrow or dissatisfaction, he never shows any emotion throughout the narrative and is characterized by the lawyer as "mechanical" in his behavior. The story's plot centers on Bartleby's mysterious refusal to follow his employer's directives. When asked to complete a task, Bartleby often replies, "I would prefer not to." This unusual and passive resistance greatly perplexes his employer. Over time, Bartleby declines to do any work at all and merely stares blankly at the wall. Ultimately, Bartleby is taken to prison, where he starves himself to death. The cause of Bartleby's troubled mental state is never disclosed, though the lawyer speculates it might be related to a previous position Bartleby possibly held in the dead letter office of the U.S. Post Office. Given the scant information revealed about Bartleby in the story, critics have frequently interpreted him in purely symbolic terms.

Expert Q&A

Why does Bartleby refuse his boss's requests in "Bartleby the Scrivener," and what's the significance?

Bartleby refuses his boss's requests by stating he "prefers not to" without providing a clear reason, reflecting his ambiguous motives. His past work at the Dead Letter Office, dealing with undelivered mail, may have contributed to his disillusionment. The story also explores the narrator's evolving feelings of perplexity, pity, and responsibility toward Bartleby, highlighting themes of mental illness and critique of office work in early American capitalism.

How do the lawyer's attitudes towards Bartleby change?

The lawyer's attitudes toward Bartleby change in the beginning from a pragmatic view of the worker to one of curiosity and empathy.

How does Bartleby's "I would prefer not to" disrupt the lawyer's office routine?

Bartleby's "I would prefer not to" is disturbing to others, but his response raises the question of why anyone would respond differently to an irrational job.

What effect does Bartleby have on the narrator?

Bartleby taps into the lawyer's sympathetic nature and causes him to reflect on the meaning of life.

What disorder does Bartleby in "Bartleby the Scrivener" suffer from?

Bartleby in "Bartleby, the Scrivener" is often interpreted as suffering from extreme introversion, possibly reflecting an avoidance personality disorder or major depression. His passive nature and repeated phrase, "I would prefer not to," signify a deep dissatisfaction and lack of motivation, possibly resulting from his previous work in a "dead letter" office. Some suggest he might be on the autism spectrum, as he struggles with human interaction and displays a preference for solitude.

In "Bartleby the Scrivener," why does Bartleby stare out the window or lurk behind a screen?

Bartleby stares out the window or lurks behind a screen as a reflection of his confinement and lack of freedom within the office. His workspace is isolated, with a window overlooking a brick wall and a screen separating him from others, symbolizing the entrapment he experiences. This setting highlights the theme of human freedom and suggests how capitalism, represented by Wall Street, confines individuals like Bartleby to monotonous, low-wage jobs, ultimately leading to his demise.

How does this quote introduce the title character in Melville's "Bartleby, the Scrivener: A Tale of Wall Street"?

"In answer to advertisement, a motionless young man one morning, stood upon my office threshold, the door being open, for it was summer. I can see that figure now- pallidly neat, pitiably respectable, incurably forlorn! It was Bartleby."

The quote effectively introduces Bartleby as a character marked by stillness and a lack of vitality, described as "pallidly neat, pitiably respectable, incurably forlorn." This description foreshadows his passive resistance and emotional detachment throughout the story. Despite initial diligence, Bartleby becomes unresponsive, refusing tasks and eventually all activity, illustrating his forlorn nature. His employer's attempts to help only highlight Bartleby's incurable sadness, culminating in his quiet demise.

What causes Bartleby's transition from a diligent worker to unmotivated in Bartleby the Scrivener?

The narrator treated Bartleby in a very mechanical and impersonal way, which the man interpreted as "contempt." This caused him to start to lose spirit and will. After his last assignment, he was no longer able to work at all. He lost all motivation and died.

In "Bartleby, the Scrivener," did the narrator feel guilty about Bartleby's demise?

In "Bartleby, the Scrivener," the narrator does feel guilty about Bartleby's demise. Despite his initial frustration and mystification over Bartleby's behavior, he shows concern and even tries to help Bartleby by visiting him in prison and ensuring he eats well. The narrator is pained by Bartleby's suspicion that he is responsible for his imprisonment, indicating his guilt and care for Bartleby, who ultimately dies in the prison yard.

Why doesn't the lawyer fire Bartleby in "Bartleby the Scrivener, A Tale of Wall Street"?

The lawyer in "Bartleby the Scrivener, A Tale of Wall Street" struggles to fire Bartleby due to Melville's exploration of personal qualities and themes. The lawyer embodies contentment and success without ambition, while Bartleby represents the plight of individuals in a capitalist society. Themes include self-expression, self-fulfillment, and the tension between dominance and freedom. The lawyer respects personal freedom, making it difficult for him to dominate Bartleby by firing him.

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Other Characters

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Ginger Nut

Ginger Nut is the nickname given to a twelve-year-old boy employed to run minor errands at the law office for a weekly wage of one dollar. His nickname originates from the ginger nut cakes he brings daily for the two scriveners, Turkey and Nippers. Ginger Nut's father hopes this job will eventually lead him to a career in law. The lawyer describes him as quick-witted.

Lawyer

Though not the title character, the lawyer who narrates "Bartleby the Scrivener" is arguably the central figure. He is around sixty years old and holds the esteemed position of Master in Chancery. His role is widely seen as a sinecure—a lucrative job requiring minimal effort, often given to friends or relatives of the influential. The lawyer describes himself as a "safe" and "unambitious" man, taking pride in his calm demeanor, prudence, and gentility. Since the story is told from his perspective, understanding his biases and social views is essential for interpreting the narrative. The plot centers on the lawyer's reactions to Bartleby's behavior. Some critics suggest that he empathizes with Bartleby's despair and has generally admirable intentions towards him. Others see him as a pitiable figure whose so-called "liberal" outlook conceals his self-interest in exploiting and controlling individuals like Bartleby.

Nippers

Nippers is the nickname of the younger scrivener in the law office. He is depicted as a well-dressed young man around twenty-five years old. The lawyer believes that Nippers suffers from morning indigestion, making him restless and discontented. However, his work stabilizes in the afternoon. Nippers appears dissatisfied with his role as a scrivener, and the lawyer considers him overly ambitious due to his unusual interest in the lawyer's business matters. He is frequently visited by dubious individuals whom he calls "clients," but they seem to be bill collectors.

Turkey

Turkey is the nickname of the older scrivener in the law office. He is described as an Englishman of about sixty years who dresses in shabby clothes. In the mornings, Turkey is hardworking and able to charm his employer with his pleasant manners. However, in the afternoons, he becomes irritable and insolent, and his work quality deteriorates. It is suggested, though never explicitly stated, that Turkey spends his lunch hour drinking alcohol.

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