Melvilles Bartleby the Scrivener Exploring the Limits of Compassion
In democratic ages men rarely sacrifice themselves for another, but they show a general compassion for all the human race. One never sees them inflict pointless suffering, and they are glad to relieve the sorrows of others when they can do so without much trouble to themselves. They are not disinterested, but they are gentle.Compassion is an innate quality that is found within human nature, and is expressed to those in the form of a helping hand to people who are financially and emotionally troubled. However, each individual may have a different limit towards the amount of compassion that one can show to another being. In Herman Melville's story, "Bartleby, the Scrivener", Melville is showing the reader that each individual does have a limit, when it comes to expressing compassion towards other beings. Melville also shows that this limit is different for each individual, when he talks about how each of the characters interact with Bartleby.The story of "Bartleby, the Scrivener" begins with the narrator identifying himself as a man who is "filled with a profound conviction that the easiest way of life is best". This very attitude towards life in general, suggests that
This again shows that the narrator is a compassionate man, who does a lot to help give physical comfort to Bartleby, but cannot reach out to Bartleby's soul, because he is still incapable of understanding Bartleby. A fraternal melancholy! For both I and Bartleby were sons of Adam" (2341). One can say that the narrator's attempt to understand Bartleby is half-hearted because he already feels that he will never be able to fully understand Bartleby, and thus cannot help overcome Bartleby's problems. And you must be polite to him as possible" (2353). True compassion is when one gives freely, love that surpasses all understanding. The narrator is again going out of his way to ensure that Bartleby is properly taken care off. Not a wrinkle of agitation rippled in him" (2336). Neither of these characters attempt to understand Bartleby, and if they had their way, they would have fired him immediately. Before, I had never experienced aught but a not-unpleasing sadness. The narrator does not know how to handle the situation because he could not find any human qualities within Bartleby. Although the narrator tries to understand Bartleby, he ultimately fails because they are worlds apart. By attempting to understand Bartleby, the narrator becomes more compassionate, and thus leaves his 'safe' zone. He says, "I narrated all I knew [about Bartleby to the functionary], and closed by suggesting the idea of letting him remain in as indulged confinement as possible till something less harsh might be done" (2353). He devises a plan to get rid of Bartleby, rationalizing that he is helping the scrivener, when in truth he is bribing him.
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