Isolation, in most cases, is a season in life that everyone experiences. The extrovert fears it and the introvert needs this time to recharge. Isolation in small amounts can be a healthy reset for the mind. In Both short stories, “To Room Nineteen”, by Doris Lessing, and “Bartleby, the Scrivener”, by Herman Melville, the protagonists are portrayed as having a great desire for seclusion from the world in which they exist. Isolation can be the result of social rejection or personal preference and in both these examples, it was self-imposed exile that these characters sought. The protagonists’ preferred isolation led to spiraling depression and finally suicide. Even though the conclusion of both stories were the same, there are many contrasting elements leading to the final result. In both stories, the central characters show signs of an unhealthy mental …show more content…
In the beginning both characters seemed “normal” in their individual settings. Bartleby was described by his employer as producing “an extraordinary quantity of writing” (Melville 1034). Susan had what most would call a perfect family. Susan and her husband’s love “had created: marriage, four children, big house, garden . . .” (Lessing 865). The foundation of her life was that “Susan loved Matthew and Matthew loved Susan” (Lessing 865). As the characters develop, their desire for seclusion becomes more apparent. Bartleby is a strange character who is given opportunity to socialize with his fellow employees and employer, but he refuses to and instead, further removes himself with each attempt. Bartleby openly states that “’I would prefer to be left alone here’ . . .” (Melville 1044). This comment is in reply to a specific event, but it does present a general feel throughout the essay. When the team attempts to review a document that was copied in quadruplicate, Bartleby is invited to join the company of the other employees to complete this