In “The Scrivener” by Herman Melville, the character of Bartleby serves as a symbol for nonconformity and passive resistance to societal expectations. Through his use of the phrase “I would prefer not to,” Bartleby’s existence defies natural laws and understanding of human behavior, challenging the reader's perception of normality.
The narrator points out, “Bartleby was one of those beings of whom nothing is ascertainable” (Melville, The Scrivener, 1322). Throughout the narrative, Bartleby is an enigma to both the cast and the readers. Bartleby’s backstory and origin were unknown, and he had no family or a permanent residence. The almost complete isolation of Bartleby contradicts the common ideal that it is beneficial to be a part of society. Bartleby seems to produce “an extraordinary quantity of writing” when working by himself compared to his response when pushed by the narrator, “I would prefer not to” (1328). Bartleby’s refusal to play his part in a community causes everyone else in the workplace to do that work for him. This seemingly simple phrase disrupted the sense of order in a community. When asked why he refused, Bartleby says again, “I would prefer not to” (1329). This time, his refusal is not only a rejection to do his
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He did not provide a reasonable explanation for his refusal, making him seem disconnected from social norms. Any normal individual would at least lie to give a sensible