Bartleby, the Scrivener
Reaction to "Bartleby, the Scrivener" In the short story "Bartleby, the Scrivener" Herman Melville creates a rather perplexing character. Melville uses a narrator, a lawyer, to describe Bartleby as an odd character. The interactions between the narrator and Bartleby reveal bits of human nature. Despite the title, this story is not about Bartley so much as it is about the narrator and the way he interacts with others. From the beginning of the story, Melville portrays the narrator as a passive aggressive character. The narrator's passive aggressive nature is evident in his interactions with another scrivener, Turkey. Instead of being assertive and informing Turkey that his "morning services" (545) well all that the narrator required, the narrator "[hints] to him" that perhaps he should "not [return] to [the] chambers after twelve o'clock" (545). The narrator states later in the story that it is Bartleby's abnormal behavior that causes his (the narrator's) passive aggressive behavior. If this were so the narrator would not have interacted with Turkey in this manner. Through the narrator's passive aggressive behavior we are able to glimpse at human nature. The narrator is astonished with Bartleby's refusal to do work.
He is worried that his reputation is being tarnished and makes the decision to move his office [563]. The narrator is so passive that he decides to move his office instead of expelling Bartleby from the original office. Because of his insecurities the narrator reassures himself that his reactions are 'normal' by asking others what they think of Bartleby's actions. "Bartleby, the Scrivener" is an excellent example of how humans take pity on others as long as it does not directly impact their own lives or take a great deal of energy. But as Bartleby's odd behaviors persist, the narrator's feelings turn from "pity into repulsion. Melville uses a narrator, a lawyer, to describe Bartleby as an odd character. Melville does a wonderful job creating a character that is able to depict human nature. The narrator is astonished with Bartleby's refusal to do work. By giving the narrator a characteristic flaw, passive aggressive behavior, he allows the narrator to extend the relationship with Bartleby until his demise. From the beginning of the story, Melville portrays the narrator as a passive aggressive character. The narrator helps by continuing to employ Bartleby and allowing him to live at the office. It is human nature to pity those less fortunate and to make an effort to help the person. Because of his insecurities the narrator reassures himself that his reactions are 'normal' by asking others what they think of Bartleby's actions. Reaction to "Bartleby, the Scrivener" In the short story "Bartleby, the Scrivener" Herman Melville creates a rather perplexing character. It is human nature to pity those less fortunate and to make an effort to help the person.
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