Bartleby The Scrivener Research Paper

In the short story “Bartleby, the Scrivener,” Herman Melville explores the tellings of a Wall Street law office during the 1800’s. Bringing the reader along a tale of defiance, Melville illustrates the freedom of all dissipation and civil obedience. Before Bartleby is introduced, his manager “The Lawyer” dissects the behavior of his employees, whom of which are scriveners. A profession that is no longer in demand today, a scrivener is more commonly known as a clerk orlaw-copyist. The Lawyer posts a help wanted ad, which is then responded to by none other than Bartleby. At first, Bartleby is a productive, dedicated employee. For example, Bartleby’s work is described as being extraordinary: “He ran a day and night line, copying by sunlight and

by candle-light. I should have been quite delighted with his application, had he been cheerfully industrious.

But he wrote on silently,palely, mechanically” (107). However, a shift comes over Bartleby’s work ethic. More specifically, when The Lawyer asks for his helping hand, like clock-work Bartleby responds that he “would prefer not to.” Ultimately, the underlying question beneath the phrase of “preferring not to”: do we truly have free will or is there a punishment for nonconformity? Eventually, Bartleby’s passive resistance becomes more severe and he refuses to do even the fundamental requirements of his job. By the end of the story, The Lawyer tries to dismiss Bartleby of his duties, while Bartleby prefers not to quit The Lawyer’s office. The conflict becomes so drastic that The Lawyer changes offices, leaving Bartleby behind. At this point, Bartleby remains at the former office, enjoying the freedom of the chambers. However, The Lawyer is contacting about the burden of Bartleby’s stay. When The Lawyer confronts Bartleby with either the new job opportunities or jail time, Bartleby explains that he would prefer not to do any of those things. Eventually, Bartleby finds himself in prison, and The Lawyer visits him with offerings of good

food. However, Bartleby refuses and states that he prefers to not eat, thus leading to his death.
At first impression, The Lawyer describes Bartleby as being abnormally pale and pitifully depressed.

Also, The Lawyer begins to dissect Bartleby’s character: ”His great stillness, his unalterableness of demeanor under all circumstances, made him a valuable acquisition… He was always there” (112). It could be said that The Lawyer created a slight fixation of Bartleby. The Lawyer analyzed everything about Bartleby. When Bartleby began to disobey The Lawyer, he was very shocked and confused, this then led to him to try about discover why Bartleby refuses to do his work. However, The Lawyer discovers that it is not only Bartleby’s refusal that puzzles him but the lack of acknowledgement or reaction. This leads The Lawyer into attempting to provoke Bartleby to receive a reaction: “You will not thrust him, the poor, pale, passive mortal--you will not the thrust such a helpless creature out of your door? You will not dishonor yourself by such cruelty” (123). The Lawyer had to refrain himself from physical outrage against

Bartleby.
In the conclusion of The Lawyers narrative, the death of Bartleby may not come off as a shock. Throughout, the short story it can be seen that Bartleby would be at the end of his own blade that ends his life. By overwhelmingly not putting forth action, Bartleby thus signed his own death certificate. He was not alone in this knowledge, towards the end it could be said that The Lawyer knew that it was true: “‘Goodbye, Bartleby, and fare you well.’ But he answered not a word; like the last column of some ruined temple, he remained standing mute and solitary in the middle of the otherwise deserted room” (124). The mysterious Bartleby accepted his fate, perhaps long before The Lawyer and the reader was initially aware. Many clues were prominent in not only Bartleby’s behavior and actions, but his appearance and aura. Bartleby obviously cared very little about his appearance and health. Which perhaps led to his own demise.