Bartleby the Scrivener is a short story by Herman Melville that was first published in 1853. The story is told from the perspective of an unnamed narrator who is the lawyer in charge of a small legal office in New York City. The narrator hires Bartleby, a scrivener, to assist in the copying of legal documents. At first, Bartleby seems like a model employee, working diligently and efficiently. However, as time goes on, he begins to exhibit strange behavior.
One day, Bartleby refuses to do a task that the narrator has assigned him, saying "I would prefer not to." From then on, Bartleby consistently refuses to perform any work, using the same phrase to explain his refusal. The narrator tries to reason with Bartleby and even offers to help him find a new job, but Bartleby remains obstinate. He simply sits in the office all day, staring at the wall and refusing to do any work.
As Bartleby's behavior becomes more and more peculiar, the other employees in the office become uncomfortable and the narrator is forced to ask him to leave. Bartleby, however, refuses to leave and instead begins living in the office. The narrator is at a loss as to what to do and ultimately decides to move his own office rather than force Bartleby to leave.
The story ends with Bartleby being taken to prison for refusing to leave the premises of the old office. The narrator visits him in prison and finds him lying on the floor, starving and ill. The narrator is deeply moved by Bartleby's pitiful condition and wonders what could have caused such a dramatic change in his behavior.
Bartleby the Scrivener is a poignant tale of a man who seems to have lost all sense of purpose and motivation in life. It is a commentary on the dehumanizing effects of modern society and the struggles of the individual to find meaning in a world that often seems indifferent to their existence. The story's enigmatic and enigmatic protagonist, Bartleby, serves as a metaphor for the human condition, representing the struggle to find one's place in the world and the despair of feeling trapped and disconnected from others.
Bartleby, the Scrivener Summary & Analysis
Alas, Bartleby prefers not to accept this gesture as well, refusing to eat and instead choosing to lie on the floor of the prison, wasting away. When the Lawyer visits the Tombs for the final time, he finds Bartleby dead in the yard. Further, Bartleby continues to do no copying at all, informing The Lawyer that he has given up copying permanently. At first, Bartleby seems to be an excellent worker. Bartleby is to be a scribe or copyist for the Lawyer, who works on matters such as deeds and bonds in his office on Wall Street. He has two major conflicts which drive the story. And eventually, he can't even get him to copy papers, which is his entire purpose for being there! He stares blankly at a brick wall most of the time.
Bartleby, the Scrivener: Summary, Characters, Themes & Analysis
He calls upon the other two scriveners, and Ginger Nut, to reassure him his request was not unreasonable, and they agree that it was not. Glossary Byron 1788-1824 a poet and key figure in the English romantic movement. He decides to try to befriend Bartleby, but he gets frustrated and angry with the lack of response. But Bartleby stops eating altogether, saying he'd prefer not to dine. His refusal to work can be viewed as a protest against a system that does not fairly reward his labor. A little later another request is made of Bartleby, and he says the same phrase yet again. Several days pass, and The Lawyer thinks he has finally been ridded of Bartleby.
Bartleby, the Scrivener Study Guide
Finally he advances toward the screen, and asks Bartleby why he refuses. Days later, the narrator contemplates Bartleby's general behavior. His output is enormous, and he greatly pleases the Lawyer. Nippers seems more cantankerous in the mornings, which works out well given Turkey's behavior in the afternoon. They simply copy what their superiors have already done. So the narrator moves his offices to a new location. First, the narrator gets angry and then offers Bartleby a chance to live in his home until they can find a better solution.
Rising Action
Giving up on him, the narrator leaves. This essay talks about the Magistrates Courts and the Magistrates themselves. At first, Bartleby provides The Lawyer with an enormous quantity of writing, working nonstop all day and not pausing for lunch. The publishing agent he pitches it to, however, finds the subject matter concerning Bartleby too depressing for her tastes and refuses to publish it. Once situated in the new offices, the narrator is told by the new tenant of his old office that he is responsible for Bartleby.
Melville Stories "Bartleby the Scrivener" (cont.) Summary & Analysis
When he won't leave of his own accord, the police place Bartleby in the Tombs. If a charity case becomes too much of an effort, then, it becomes a burden The Lawyer is unwilling to bear. At the end of the story, the narrator is able to recognize his subject's humanity and the way in which the tragedy of Bartleby's existence underscores the absurdity of human life. His employer also discovers that Bartleby has no home other than the office and is sleeping there nights and weekends, eating little more than ginger nuts small, spicy cakes. Do you pay any rent? Journal Entry : Summary And Articles of any topic quickly just by reading a summary. Instead, Melville refuses to return to his earlier style and focuses instead on Moby Dick.
Bartleby Character Analysis in Melville Stories
While at first Bartleby proves an excellent employee, producing a huge quality of writing for his employer, his working habits are rigid and peculiar. Finally, one day, the narrator visits Bartleby, who has fallen asleep under a tree in the prison yard. Nothing happens, and eventually they continue on with the work without Bartleby because of the fast-paced demands of their office work. He even offers to have Bartleby come and live with him until he has found a new job, but Bartleby declines this offer, too. Sometime later, the narrator learns a piece of information about Bartleby. The new occupants soon come to ask for help getting rid of Bartleby, who still will not leave and now sits on the stairs all day and sleeps in the lobby at night.
