In the working community there is no time to do anything that isn't work related. There is nothing more required from you other than to be obedient to your boss and to work efficiently so the company can do well. According to one of Benjamin Franklin's thirteen virtues of industry, he said that one should: "Lose no time. Be always employed in something useful. Cut of all unnecessary actions." Hard work and dedication pays off when you are trying to advance to a higher level. However, there are some people in the industry that do just the minimum work that is required and nothing more because they see no advancement in their career. In the industrial society there is some sort of clash between the work being preformed and how the person works. In the novel Bartleby, the main character demonstrated virtues similar to those of Franklin; but, soon digressed to a being who lost his soul as he worked.
             In the beginning, Bartleby worked accordingly to Franklin's virtues. He worked by sunlight and candlelight showing no sign of slowing down. However, these actions were short-lived. Bartleby soon showed no interest in his job anymore. He "preferred" not to do the things that his boss told him to. Bartleby only answered when he was spoken to and he kept to himself throughout the whole story. The narrator recalled how he never left the office for any reason and how he never read. "...yet I had never seen him reading-no, not even a newspaper;..." (124). The significance of the newspaper is to tell the reader that Bartleby is no longer a part of society. The news happening around him doesn't concern him anymore. The narrator tried to find out more about Bartleby but failed. He simply replied that he preferred not to answer any of his questions. His actions were like that of a robot. He answered without thinking about what was asked.
             Bartleby worked in a little office wi...