Passive Resistance In Melville's Bartleby The Scrivener

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In his story Bartleby, the scrivener in Melville uses a man’s depression very artfully and skillfully to represent passive resistance against his capitalistic society. The denotative meaning of the word depression according to the DSM-V is (p.187), a person indicating or observed daily feelings of sadness, emptiness and hopelessness. A drastically diminished interest in most or all activities performed. A significant amount of weight loss or weight gain when not dieting. Persistent insomnia or hypersomnia, as well as constant fatigue or loss of energy. An inability to think or concentrate as well as chronic indecisiveness indicated by the individual or observed by others. In Melville’s story Bartleby presents some if not all of the symptoms. …show more content…

One of the first example of passive resistance comes as Bartleby defiantly states to his employer, “I would prefer not” (p.158) when asked to complete a task associated with his work. Bartleby does not state I will not or I refuse to comply with your actions, just that he prefers not to. So, unless otherwise forced, he will not comply. Melvin’s story is written from the perspective of an American lawyer who is describing his employees. In his time as a lawyer he makes acquaintance with a man named Bartleby who is in search of work. At first Bartleby seems like a very productive worker, but through time loses complete interest in performing the duties of his job. In 1853 when Herman Melville writes the short story of “Bartleby, The Scrivener” there is a simmering undertone of resentment growing against the capitalistic society. By looking at the depression and apathetic nature Melville applies to his protagonist Bartleby’s feelings towards his career as a law clerk along with his relationship to food. It can be seen how Melville uses these issues to exemplify passive resistance against industrialized, capitalistic

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