Bartleby, the Scrivener"
"Ah Bartleby, Ah Humanity" (page 164). This is the key to the short story by Herman Melville "Bartleby, the scrivener", because it indicates that the image of Bartleby stands as a symbol for humanity on a universal level. This story is appealing for its symbolism. This, in turn, functions as a commentary on society and the working world. Bartleby is a seemingly homeless, mentally disturbed scrivener who gives up on the prospect of living life and alienates himself from it. I see Bartleby as a scrivener unable to adapt to this world, because he is too honest about what appeals to him. When the narrator tries to suggest different options his response is always the same "I would prefer not to".First, Melville adapts the point of view in the story in 1st person narration, by a lawyer whose name remains anonymous. I believe that the setting needed more description. It was a very vague and bleak description of the office since most of the story took action in it. I thought that it was essential to get a better picture of it. On the other hand, I believe that Melville did this to draw attention to the symbolism and themes of the story rather than to the actual scenery. Also to give the office a more "morbid" and depressing look. The to
However, the themes in this story vary depending on which perspective you look at it from. Bartleby tries to avoid conflict and that's why I believe he uses the word prefer, instead of will not. On the other hand he tries to help him. However, he might just want to live to his preferences, and not to societys. This story demonstrates that life if not lived is useless, as in Bartleby's case that wastes his away preferring not to. In view of the fact, that it is also relevant from a workers point of view, you can look at it from that point. I consider it was comical, because, how could he ask his employees for advise when he knows they act according to the time of the day? The characterization of Bartleby and the narrator were strong, because the image of Bartleby is the symbol of the story and the narrator is moved by Bartleby's actions in a way. Bartleby died preferring not to live. The other workers also felt a sense of alienation from the narrator. The tone is one of interest, frustration, regret, and in a way comical. In fact, the narrator seems to go to greater lengths than most people would in efforts to help him. I believe he prefers to alienate himself from humanity, because he feels safe just the way he is. If he says he "will not" do something, the lawyer can interpret that as misbehavior. He assumes a polite tone with his boss by using this term and there is also irony in the choice. The three most important themes I sensed were mortality, alienation, and man's desire to avoid conflict.
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