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Bartleby In The Office

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For the first time in the story Melville begins questioning human existence through the narrator’s response to discovering Bartleby living in the office. Thomas Mitchell author of the article Dead Letters and Dead Men best described this event in is his statement, “Stricken by his sudden awareness of the immensity of Bartleby's solitude, his total isolation from all human contact, the narrator is shocked out of the "snug retreat" of his own isolation by his realization of the "bond of common humanity"” (Mitchell). Discovering Bartleby in the office creates a mixed feeling of emotions for the narrator. In his statement "Yes, thought I, it is evident enough that Bartleby has been making his home here, keeping bachelor's hall all by himself. Immediately …show more content…

Throughout the story walls become a key element both physically and metaphorically. An example of Melville’s use of walls in the story is expressed by Thomas Mitchell who said, “Bartleby's refusal to connect with others, his decision to isolate himself behind a wall of silent despair, rejecting any and all overtures of kindness and help” (Mitchell). The concept of Bartleby isolating himself behind a wall is demonstrated in a physical manner in the story due to living in the office as well as working in a corner secluded from the other copyists. Also, through the narrator’s inability to understand Bartleby’s refusal to work and copy papers anymore there is a metaphorical wall established. The narrator tolerates Bartleby’s behavior for a certain period of time as suggested by Mitchell, “At one point, his sympathy for Bartleby's plight leads him to the totally unconventional decision that though he cannot help him, he can allow him to stay in the office without even the pretense of working” (Mitchell). However, as time progresses the narrator begins to realize he no longer can keep Bartleby around and needs to end the relationship. The narrator’s efforts to get Bartleby to leave the office are unsuccessful. Bartleby’s unwillingness to leave further enhance the symbolism of walls. Bartleby becomes a wall or rather barrier to the narrator and thus leads the narrator to move his office to another

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