This resulted from a refusal to follow the orders of the narrator, for he refused to work or even communicate with him. His only response soon became "I would prefer not to," which shows his lack of involvement and in turn his decision not to interact in society, for he gave up what little life he still had. Ultimately, what he was doing, was preferring not to live, but instead just exist. Melville, is thus commenting on the work force by demonstrating through Bartleby's continual descend into the abysmal, society confines you behind walls and that if you give in and choose to stop living you will waste away as Bartleby did. Consequently, Bartleby after having alienated himself so fully was then left to his own devices. "Since he will not quit me, I must quit him. I will change my offices; I will move elsewhere." (pg 132-133) He was deserted completely, for he was no longer living. Arnold, Page 3 He continued to breathe, he continued to exist, but he was no longer of any use to society. As he severs himself from humanity, Bartleby is unaware of the consequences. However, these consequences as displayed by Melville, comment upon the impact that the work force can have upon mankind. Through Bartleby, he demonstrates that once you give up on life, everyone around will give up on you in turn, as the narrator did with Bartleby, for you have become an obstruction, much like the
Race
Using Scrivener 3.1.4 on Mojave latest version. I use lists a lot and find that my lists extend too far horizontally ie they are too wide. In other words the list indents (if my working is correct) and spaces to the right of the indents (name?) are too big. ISBN: 567: OCLC Number: 4805010: Description: 238 pages; 23 cm: Contents: B is for Bartleby / Lewis Leary -From a letter to Evert Duychinck / Richard Henry Dana, Sr.Reviews of the piazza tales -Melville's miserable year / Lewis Mumford -A second look at 'Bartleby' / Egbert S. Oliver -Ishmael in his academic heaven / Alfred Kazin -A parable of the artist / Richard. 'Bartleby the Scrivener' contains a very critical look at 'charity,' and the story may be a wry commentary by Melville on the way materialism and consumerism were affecting it. The Lawyer thinks of charitable actions in terms of cost and returns: 'Poor fellow! Thought I, he means no mischief; it is plain he intends no insolence I can get along.
Of the three stories, none have a more explicit theme than 'Benito Cereno.' Published just a few years prior to the Civil War and in the midst of a fierce national debate over slavery, Melville must have been aware of the racial implications of his story was he was writing it in the early 1850s. While the story is based on an actual event, Melville embellishes the story greatly, adding many flourishes including Captain Delano's thoughts on blacks.
Scrivener 3 1 5 Commentary Bible Gateway
There is little documentation on Melville's views on blacks or slavery. This leaves his stories, such as 'Benito Cereno,' frustratingly difficult to interpret. Some critics have pointed out that Melville had two experiences that would give him a unique perspective on slavery: he had served as a cabin boy on a whaling ship (a thankless job similar to slavery) and he was a captive of the Typee cannibals, so he has experience as a captive. He was also witness to the rituals and behavior of the Typee cannibals, which may have affected how he saw other races, especially 'primitive' races. Since many slaves were taken directly from their African tribes, it is likely that Melville's experience may have affected his portrayal of the blacks in 'Benito Cereno' as particularly ruthless and war-like, once their ruse had been exposed.
Some critics have interpreted 'Benito Cereno' as an expression of Melville's anxiety over the slavery issue. Regardless of his own opinion of blacks or slavery, he recognized the explosive nature of the slavery question in the United States and the violent conflict it would create.
Charity and Selfishness
'Bartleby the Scrivener' contains a very critical look at 'charity,' and the story may be a wry commentary by Melville on the way materialism and consumerism were affecting it. The Lawyer thinks of charitable actions in terms of cost and returns: 'Poor fellow! thought I, he means no mischief; it is plain he intends no insolence I can get along with him. If I turn him away he will fall in with some less indulgent employer, and then he will be rudely treated here I can cheaply purchase a delicious self-approval. To befriend Bartleby will cost me little or nothing, while I lay up in my soul what will eventually prove a sweet morsel for my conscience.' Note the lawyer's train of thought: he first pities Bartleby; then he recognizes the fact that Bartleby is useful to him; then he notes that Bartleby would be ill-treated at another office, presumably making him less useful to some other employer and, by extension, society; and finally, the Lawyer pats himself on the back for keeping Bartleby on as a worker. He 'purchases' self-approval, a 'sweet morsel for his conscience' which will cost him little. Through 'charity,' the Lawyer is actually just buying himself a good conscience. In a broader sense, he also believes he is making the best use possible of Bartleby. If he can at least get Bartleby to make copies, then at least he is doing something.
Scrivener 3 1 5 Commentary Version
Scrivener 3 1 5 Commentary David Guzik
Of course, eventually Bartleby refuses even to make copies. Still, the Lawyer decides that he will let Bartleby live on in his offices, so that he doesn't starve; but as soon as Bartleby affects his business, the Lawyer moves his offices and abandons Bartleby. The Lawyer does make the kindly offer to let Bartleby live in his own home, but the Lawyer might do this just to relieve himself of the annoyance of having to dealing with the tenants who complain about Bartleby. Of course, were the Lawyer to take Bartleby into his home, he could purchase great amounts of good conscience. Screaming frog seo spider 12 6. But Bartleby refuses the Lawyer's charity, as he does whenever it is offered to him, saying that he 'would prefer not to.' The Lawyer then decides to keep Bartleby on his staff as a sort of 'charity case.'
