'Bartleby the Scrivener' by Herman Melville is a short story set in a Wall Street law office in 1850s New York City. The plot revolves around Bartleby, a mysterious young clerk who initially works diligently but eventually starts refusing to do any work with his iconic phrase, "I would prefer not to." The story explores themes of insubordination, charity, mental illness, passive aggressiveness in the workplace, morality, and alcoholism. Through the character of Bartleby, Melville presents a deep and angsty narrative that delves into the complexities of human behavior and relationships within a confined office setting.

Characters:

The characters illustrate a spectrum of responses to the demands of work and highlight the complexities of human interactions in a capitalist setting.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style combines accessibility with complexity, employing humor to juxtapose the deeper, often tragic themes inherent in the narrative.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative follows an office worker's passive resistance and the subsequent chaos it brings, highlighting themes of mental illness and socio-economic critique.

Setting:

The 19th-century Wall Street office serves as a critical backdrop, emphasizing the story's exploration of capitalism and individual despair.

Pacing:

The pacing starts leisurely but accelerates as the story delves into Bartleby's increasingly intense rejections of societal expectations.

I am a rather elderly man. The nature of my avocations for the last thirty years has brought me into more than ordinary contact with what would seem an interesting and somewhat singular set of men, of...

Notes:

Bartleby works as a scrivener, a job similar to a modern-day copyist.

The story is set in a Wall Street law office during the 1850s.

Bartleby famously responds to requests with 'I would prefer not to.'

The narrator, a lawyer, has to navigate the eccentricities of his employees, Turkey and Nippers.

Bartleby initially performs well in his job before becoming increasingly unproductive.

The character of Bartleby can be seen as a critique of capitalism and its effects on the individual.

Melville's themes explore mental illness, passive resistance, and the struggles of the wage worker.

Bartleby worked in the Dead Letter Office, which exposed him to the failures of communication and human connection.

The story is both humorous and tragic, showcasing the absurd lengths of human behavior.

Bartleby has become an iconic figure representing existential thought and passive resistance.

The novella has inspired numerous interpretations, including themes of depression, isolation, and societal critique.

Melville's portrayal of Bartleby has drawn comparisons to Kafka's characters, showcasing surrealism in mundane settings.

The story's narrative structure leads to a deep examination of employer-employee relationships.

It's a relatively short read, making it more accessible than some of Melville's longer works.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of depression, mental illness, existential despair, and workplace alienation.

From The Publisher:

Bartleby the Scrivener (1853), by Herman Melville, tells the story of a quiet, hardworking legal copyist who works in an office in the Wall Street area of New York City. One day Bartleby declines the assignment his employer gives him with the inscrutable "I would prefer not." The utterance of this remark sets off a confounding set of actions and behavior, making the unsettling character of Bartleby one of Melville's most enigmatic and unforgettable creations.

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1 comment(s)

rukistarsailor

Loved It

6 months

I don't totally understand

Bartleby the Scrivener, but I like it a lot.

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Bartleby the Scrivener

Herman Melville