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Characteristics Of Bartleby The Scrivener

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In many stories, the main character or main characters can determine the thematic setup of the story. Revealing the main features of the characters throughout the story adds structure and also adds relativity so the reader can digest and understand the character better. In the short story by Herman Melville “Bartleby the Scrivener”, the lawyer, who is also the narrator, talks about his law practice on Wall Street and the people he has working for him. In “Bartleby the Scrivener”, Bartleby, by being almost totally reclusive, brings out characteristics of the lawyer that neither the reader, nor the lawyer see coming. The lawyer works alongside two law-copyist, Turkey and Nippers, both respectable workers in their field. They both work better …show more content…

The lawyer hires Bartleby and at first, seems to be a good hire for the firm. Bartleby works diligently without bothering anybody and this tells the reader that he is a respectable hard worker. The lawyer seems to be more of a stuck up type of person with little compassion towards others; consequently, this leads to not having good relationships with people. Personally, Bartleby seems to be a respectful person, who is always compliant when asked to do something. One day, the lawyer asks Bartleby to examine a piece of material and Bartleby says “I would prefer not to” (151). It shocks the reader and even more shocks the lawyer. The lawyer should have given Bartleby a punishment but is so befuddled by the comment that he gets another scrivener to examine the piece of material. The comment “I would prefer not to” makes it seem as if Bartleby is a lazy character but this is a complete change from the beginning of the story when Bartleby worked and completed all of his work. The lawyer, after the comment seems as if he is so caught up in the phrase that he cannot function properly and that is rare for him. The lawyer adds “Now I had an …show more content…

He makes it seem like he respects Bartleby’s honesty and is at a loss for words. Bartleby adds almost a confusing element to the story with a touch of a quiet suspense. The addition of an almost suspenseful confusion makes the reader wonder what Bartleby or the lawyer will do next. Bartleby does not work hard anymore so the lawyer decides to fire him, or thinks he is going to fire him. Bartleby stays in the office and will not leave. The lawyer is unhappy with Bartleby and says, “I am seriously displeased. I am pained, Bartleby. I had thought better of you” (159). I soon to realize by further reading the story that the lawyer is becoming almost a compassionate person. He lets Bartleby stay in the office and even goes to the extent of moving his

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The narrator requests to work on an ordinary job which is not completely relevant to copying, and instead of writing, he prefers to object. When confronted by the narrator about the issue and his reasons for declining the request, he says that he desires not to. After considering the happening for a long time, the storyteller moves his office to a different place to get rid of Bartleby. As the story split ends, Bartleby says no to eating, and he is seen starving himself to death. Various incidences in the story portray Bartleby as a hero who reveals his braveness in facing the unjust community by his authority and molding the conscience of the narrator.

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