The Lawyer does not realize this stance would later turn to a mantra until Bartleby uses it often and sticks to it. After the Lawyer consults him to do some work, he says, “I would prefer not to” (Melville 5). However, Bartleby’s vibrancy lasts for a few days after which he starts to refuse doing his job. His enormous output in the job delights the Lawyer for he works day and night without complaining. However, this story concentrates on Bartleby, a newly employed copyist. He has issues in the morning sessions but as afternoons approach, he concentrates more in his work giving better results. On the other side, Nippers, a twenty-five year old energetic lad, is the precise opposite of Turkey. Turkey is the Lawyer’s age mate (over sixty years) and even though he is a prudent copyist, as afternoons approach he wears out quickly and makes silly mistakes in typing. He apparently has two copyists, Turkey and Nippers but they do not astound him as Bartleby does. AnalysisĪs aforementioned, the Lawyer, who runs a law firm on Wall Street, is the narrator. This story is important for it highlights how philistinism and consumerism rose in American society and its effects on charity and humanity. Finally, Bartley ends in prison on charges of vagrancy and dies few days later. The Lawyer tries to fire him but he cannot hear anything of that sort. However, as the story unfolds, things change as Bartley starts to shun his duties for no good reason. The first few days in job are great for Bartleby, given his swiftness and accuracy in writing. Bartleby the Scrivener revolves around a “scrivener”, working for a lawyer who doubles as the narrator.Īfter the lawyer places an advert in the local newspaper, Bartleby applies for the position of a copyist and the lawyer hires him. This is a masterpiece expounding how materialism can derail humanity and men turn into selfish brutes that care less about fellow men. Melville had foreseen this fact when he wrote Bartleby the Scrivener. Materialism has taken precedence over humanity in contemporary society.
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