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Commentary On " Bartleby The Scrivner" Essay, Research Commentary On " Bartleby The Scrivner" The character of the narrator might be identified as a rather self-centered man who would rather prefer not to undergo a confrontation with any of his employees. This is evident in his description of the employees and his so-called good intentions when he sets himself as a tolerant, conducive man. It is obvious that his intentions and actions are only for his own self interest and his wanting to be thought of as helping those who are not as fortunate as he. All along what he hopes to achieve with his charity is to help sooth his own vision by improving the physical state of others.
His avoidance of confrontation is quite evident when he actually moves out of his office instead of having Bartleby physically removed by the authorities. His character is tested with Bartleby's passive-aggressive attitude though I can not agree totally that he is " softened" by his acquaintance with Bartleby because in some regards he was already soft. Bartleby is definetly cut from a stronger cloth although he certainly has his own mode of communication. He does not give into the Wall Street hardness and does not do anything that does not suit him. He takes life for what it is worth nothing more and nothing less. Even though he literally does not ask for anything, he sends his message loud and clear: I will do what I feel necessary to survive and everything else, " I would prefer not to. " It is somewhat comical that in the strong corporate atmosphere of the business world, you have a boss that would prefer to no sooner pack it up and get away from an employee than to have to deal with him.
All in all, the narrator is not cold and does end up with a conscience which is evident by his checking on Bartleby both at the old office and the jail. I think Bartleby challenged him in a way that he had never been challenged before and quite honestly he did not know exactly what to do with him. Jamie Finkel man I find the relationship between the author and Bartleby to be a very strange, unrealistic one, at least in todays society. Bartleby, an employee of the author, is under the command of the author, and is getting paid to do what the author says to do.
Although Bartleby is very polite and un confrontational when refusing to do a job the author requests, Bartleby IS refusing. If hes not doing what his boss says as pertaining to his job, he shouldnt get paid. The job is not getting done. If there was a situation like this that happened today in most any workplace, I would think that the un compliant employee would be terminated from his / her position that day. The author however, just allows Bartleby to act in whatever way he chooses even when Bartleby is doing absolutely no work whatsoever.
An employer today would view this behavior as a damage to his wallet and would therefore waste no time firing the employee. I, personally, would have fired Bartleby because he would not even give a reason as to why he would not do anything. Jennifer, I think the strange relationship between Bartleby and the employer is supposed to seem unrealistic. it makes the reader, especially modern ones, think exactly the way you did in your post. The fact that employers would not or should not put up with this kind of insubordination is exactly true. It makes you wonder what is it about Bartleby that makes the employer sympathetic to his " needs" .
The boss seems to understand that there is something intrinsically wrong with Bartleby, an underlying sadness that he cannot determine the cause of, and I think he cares for him a great deal and also pities him as well. This is why he does not fire him or take extreme measures until he absolutely has to. Jen, I see what you mean about Bartleby? s relationship with the author. It does seem very strange. I got the same feeling.
I also found it weird that Bartleby was refusing to do the jobs that the author asked him to do. You? re right though he really is pretty considerate and respectful when denying the fact that he has a job to do for his employer. This is the way that this procedure goes the employer tells the employee what to do and when to do it. The weirdness in the matter is that Bartleby is refusing to do so. Your very right Jen, today this type of treatment towards your employer would get you terminated.
I would have to say that Bartleby has no real respect for his employer, but only maybe an act. Someone who would do this to their boss would be lacking manners. The narrator seems to have a problem in the story, he is sympathetic with Bartleby passed a reasonable point. The narrator allows Bartleby to just refuse orders and still say employed, taking pity on him it seems. The narrator also seems to avoid confrontation with many others too, to the point of moving out of his office. Now he comes off as both a hard and easy man, he does what is required of him mostly, except when it comes to Bartleby.
In Bartleby's case, the narrator is like a wet noodle, bending to Bartleby's whims, even though he should be fired. I think the narrator perhaps was a cold man, but that Bartleby let him see a side of humanity he had previously, missed, and shows him the value of people, and of emotion. The narrator follows up on Bartleby at the old office and jail, showing that he did indeed have more than just a passing interest. For the clients of these businessmen, I think that much good is accomplished by their work. Whether we like them or not, lawyers are essential members of society. However, the story is told from the point of view of a businessman, so more important is what the workers themselves think of the business world.
Indeed, by the end of the story, the narrator realizes just what a bleak existence he leads and how he has disconnected himself with life outside of the business realm. Unfortunately, after witnessing the downfall of Bartleby, I think that the narrator reaches the point in his life where he asks himself what the meaning of his existence is. I actually found the story to be one of the most enjoyable works that we have read so far. I had no idea that Melville could be so comical.
For whatever reason, the insistence of Bartleby in using the word " prefer" and his fellow employees then using the word without knowing it, I found to be extremely humorous. In my view, the story has become popular for reasons other than just being an entertaining read and providing a unique perspective on the business world. I think that many readers can identify with the struggles of the characters in the story. In this information-driven society, many of us are consumed with our work, meeting deadlines, and being as productive as possible. Much like the characters in the story, often times we feel that our lives have been taken over by work. This narrator is very reserved.
He was select ful in choosing his jobs due to his character. He wishes to not be put in a position which may become confrontational. That is why he chose to never address the jury. He wants to remain discreet and by doing so, he chooses to deal with mortgages, deeds and bonds. I believe his association with Bartleby has changed this narrator. Previously, he would have never permitted such conduct in his employee when asked to due a particular task.
He is a cautious individual whose method is to think things out thoroughly before getting involved. Normally, he would not have gotten involved with assisting Bartleby as he had attempted to do numerously. Yet, he has grown respectful of Bartleby's steadfast ways and continued his attempts. The significance of the setting of the story is a mysterious one. The names of the employees are not revealed nor is the number of the location. This leads me to believe that perhaps this situation actually occurred and being as discreet as this narrator is, he doesnt reveal too much.
This is a satire in the business world because such conduct would not be tolerated. If employees were to intensively " rather not" complete a task assigned by their supervisor, they would be terminated. Moreover, it is not permissible for employees to reside in their place of employment. The narrator does well describing himself in the story. If you follow closely he gives you many details which give you an upright description of self. He calls himself, ?
an unambitious lawyer with a profound conviction that the easiest way of life is the best. ? Others consider him an? eminently safe man? who seldom loses his temper. He is a conveyor and title hunter with an office on Wall Street. He has a lot of compassion (perhaps not for society as a whole) for Bartleby.
I do not feel that the narrator truly? changed? by his association with Bartleby, but rather he changed only when he was around Bartleby. It is difficult to say, considering the narrator does not offer any experiences other than those which Bartleby is associated, but I will say that the narrator has made no permanent change in his life. The setting of the story is significant because Wall Street is comprised of all businesses, which means that? every night of everyday it is in emptiness. ?
Bartleby is content with being secluded there. The setting is also significant considering the satirical connotation of the business world. Bartleby is an intruder there, not because he will not leave, but because he is rejects all aspects of business. And the fact that he is content on being there, staring out the window, without lending the slightest of his hands to work, shows how much he dislikes it. 364
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