In today's society we still see many problems that existed in the past. Such a problem is the homeless. People show compassion and pity for the homeless and they also try to help them in their situation. We see compassion and pity from both narrators in "Bartleby the Scrivener" by Herman Melville and the poem "Bag Woman" by Dudley Randall. Both narrators try to understand the homeless person they encounter but they do not gain much distance into their mind. Despite this the narrators show great compassion and brotherly love.
             Bartleby is a young man who comes to work for the narrator. At first Bartleby does work for the narrator, but when he is asked to compare some documents he utters the words "I prefer not to". After this incident Bartleby's refusal to work progresses and the narrator begins to question Bartleby. Bartleby doesn't answer the questions about his past when the narrator asks him. Although his consistent refusal to work the narrator show compassion because of the gentleness in his voice and the respectful way he says "I prefer not to". Bartleby never seemed to eat or leave the office according to the narrator. One Sunday morning the narrator stopped by the office and discovered Bartleby there in his underclothing. The narrator takes a walk and returns to office and investigates Bartleby's work area. He discovers a pan with a sponge and some ginger nut scraps.
             The narrator could believe that Bartleby is homeless and tries to show Bartleby compassion. Furthermore the narrator felt pity for Bartleby who had no acquaintances or family. Coming from an easy life, which the narrator enjoyed, he had not seen such a side of life. The narrator offered Bartleby several different jobs and the narrator even offered to let Bartleby stay at his house. But Bartleby "preferred not to" and soon Bartleby did nothing but stare at the wall outside t...