The outstanding short story “Bartleby, the Scrivener: A Story of Wall Street” was written by American author Herman Melville. The story, which was first published in 1853, centers on the enigmatic figure Bartleby, whose courteous but resolute reluctance to comply with his employer’s requests raises complex philosophical issues. This article offers a thorough analysis of “Bartleby, the Scrivener,” stressing the novel’s distinctive plot, important incidents, and overall themes.
The narrative is told by an unknown attorney who owns a legal firm on New York’s Wall Street. Turkey, Nippers, and Ginger Nut, a young office lad, are the other two scriveners he hires. He recruits Bartleby as a second scrivener, and at first, Bartleby works assiduously, churning out copious amounts of excellent work. But when requested to proofread a manuscript, Bartleby answers coolly, “I would prefer not to.” After that, Bartleby consistently denies every work given to him with the same justification, which causes tension in the office to rise.
The lawyer is unable to terminate Bartleby despite his reluctance to do any job. Instead, he makes an effort to comprehend Bartleby, demonstrating the monotony of his existence and his emotional distance. The attorney chooses to move his office in order to get away from Bartleby’s ongoing passive opposition.
The new tenants discover Bartleby residing in the abandoned office after the attorney leaves and demand that he be removed. The problem is brought to the attention of the attorney, who can only advise showing patience for Bartleby. Shortly later, Bartleby is detained for loitering and sent to The Tombs, a jail. The lawyer, who is still a part of Bartleby’s life, makes arrangements for his good care there. Bartleby “prefers not to” engage in life despite these accommodations and finally starves to death in the jail yard.
The issue is brought to the lawyer’s attention, who can only advise the new tenants to exercise patience with Bartleby. Soon after, Bartleby is arrested for loitering and sent to The Tombs, a prison. The lawyer, still concerned for Bartleby’s well-being, arranges for his care while he is in custody. However, even with these accommodations, Bartleby continues to refuse engagement with life, eventually succumbing to starvation in the prison yard.
Conclusion
The novella “Bartleby, the Scrivener” examines issues of loneliness, free choice, and social responsibility in a puzzling yet compelling way. While Bartleby’s terrible demise raises profound concerns about compassion and understanding in the face of the unfathomable, his silent resistance endures as a potent emblem of non-conformity. Due to its ageless themes and Melville’s deep connection with the human condition, the Bartleby narrative has endured among readers. And Bartleby works assiduously, churning out copious amounts of excellent work.
References
- Henry Melville (1853). A Tale of Wall Street, Bartleby the Scrivener. Magazine Putnam.
- M. M. Sealts (1987). From 1940 to 1980: Chapters and Essays in Pursuing Melville. Wisconsin University Press.
- C. R. Emery (2009). ‘Bartleby the Scrivener’ as a Romantic Text: Reading. 48(2): 209–224 in Studies in Romanticism.
- Internet sources ‘Bartleby, the Scrivener’ on Project Gutenberg’s website; literary criticism and analysis on JSTOR and other academic databases.
