Aspects of Narration and Metaphor in Melvilles Bartleby the Scrivener
Herman Melville examines the complexities of human character in hisshort story, "Bartleby the Scrivener." By using strong metaphors, Melvilleillustrates the difficulties we encounter when we attempt to communicatewith someone. Additionally, Melville demonstrates how human beings canaffect each other in ways through the narrator's experience with Bartleby. Melville uses many metaphors in this story. For instance, the use ofwalls is a predominant image that is used to describe the nature of thebusiness world. We are told the narrator's office, "looked upon the whitewall of the interior of a spacious sky-light shaft" (Melville 992) and "theother end of his office viewed a "lofty brick wall" (992). We also knowthat there are "glass folding-doors" (996) that divided the narrator fromhis scriveners. In addition, we also know that the narrator placed an"high green folding screen" (997) between him and Bartleby. This entiresetting provides us with the image of the office and working conditio
(1020) This information is something of a revelation for the narratorbecause it not only somehow fits the strange character of Bartleby, but italso explains his behavior. Bartleby can be seen as ametaphor for a nonconformist attitude. Humanbeings build walls around themselves that are difficult to tear down ineven the best of circumstances. Bartleby was a man that lost hope muchlike the dead letters he burned. What makes this effort so amazing for the narrator is thatBartleby does not respond. Because Melville is telling this story from the narrator'sperspective, we are allowed to witness his transformation. This is significant because Bartleby himself is like a deadletter to the narrator. Despite his efforts, the narrator cannot rescueBartleby much like dead letters never reach their destination. Hence, though I belong to a professionproverbially energetic . For instance, the narrator connects Bartleby'sformer work with his "pallid" (996) and "incurably forlorn" (996)appearance. In fact, he has no problem avoiding thesometimes complex issues in order to maintain a certain level of peace inhis life. This however, changes with the presence of Bartleby, who forcesthe narrator to step outside his comfortable shell in order to reach out toa fellow man. Thenarrator reflects on the hope and good tidings that " speed to death"(1021). However, it is Bartleby's behavior that has a direct affect on thenarrator.
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