In this post, notes of “Unit 2: (b) Bartleby the scrivener by Herman Melville” from “DSC- 10: American Litrature” are given which is helpful for the students doing graduation this year.
1. Introduction to Herman Melville
Herman Melville Biography
Herman Melville (1819–1891) was an American author, best known for his book Moby-Dick (1851), which is considered one of the best American novels. He was born in New York City and faced money problems after his father’s death. As a young man, Melville worked many jobs, including as a sailor on whaling ships, which greatly influenced his writing. His experiences at sea gave him valuable knowledge about the ocean and whaling that became important in his stories.
His early books, like Typee (1846) and Omoo (1847), were inspired by his time in the South Pacific and helped him gain early fame as an adventurous writer. However, it was Moby-Dick, with its complex ideas and themes about life, that defined his career. Although it received mixed reviews at first, it was later recognized as a key work in American literature. Throughout his life, Melville faced personal issues, including money troubles and limited popularity, which affected his career. He wrote the short story Bartleby, the Scrivener in 1853, focusing on themes of loneliness and the loss of humanity.
Literary Contributions: Important Works and Themes
Melville wrote both novels and short stories, often exploring the darker sides of human life. Moby-Dick tells the story of Captain Ahab’s obsession with a whale and raises questions about knowledge and human limits. Many of his works deal with big questions about fate, free will, and what it means to be human, showing characters fighting against larger, unknown forces.
Besides Moby-Dick, his stories like Billy Budd, Bartleby, the Scrivener, and The Confidence-Man examine human behavior, morality, and how society affects individuals. Bartleby, the Scrivener specifically addresses loneliness, the harshness of modern work, and the struggle for identity in a society that demands conformity.
Awards and Honors: Recognition and Achievements
During his life, Melville’s work did not gain much recognition, and he struggled financially. However, his fame grew after his death, especially following the publication of Moby-Dick. Critics did not fully appreciate his work until the early 20th century. Today, Melville is seen as one of America’s great writers, and his works are studied and celebrated widely. He has influenced many authors and is an important part of American literature.
2. Historical Context
19th Century America: Social and Cultural Climate
The 19th century in America was a time of big changes with fast industrial growth, moving westward, and the rise of capitalism. Society was sharply divided, especially over the issue of slavery. The growth of cities and factories changed how people lived and worked, leading to a sense of individualism but also feelings of loneliness.
This period was also when America’s cultural identity was being shaped, with writers like Melville, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Edgar Allan Poe exploring the complexities of American life and addressing moral and philosophical questions. Melville’s works, especially Moby-Dick and Bartleby, the Scrivener, reflect concerns about individuals’ places in a rapidly changing and often impersonal world.
Industrialization and Urbanization: Effects on Society and Literature
The industrial revolution in the 19th century significantly changed American society. Factories, railroads, and the telegraph led to more people moving to cities and helped grow the middle class. However, this change also created inequalities, with many people working long hours in tough conditions. Melville’s writing shows the conflict between personal goals and the harsh realities of modern life, where factory or office work often dehumanized workers.
In Bartleby, the Scrivener, Melville critiques how office work can strip individuals of their humanity. The law office where Bartleby works symbolizes the cold world of business that pressures workers to conform, making them lose their individuality. This theme of dehumanization critiques the social changes of Melville’s time.
Legal and Economic Systems: Context of the Story’s Setting
The setting of Bartleby, the Scrivener in a law office helps us understand the economic and legal systems affecting the characters’ lives. The legal field relies on routine and detailed work, reflecting broader trends in an industrialized America where people were seen as parts of a machine. Bartleby’s refusal to follow work orders challenges these systems of control, showing resistance to the rigid social and economic structures of the 19th-century workplace.
At the time, the U.S. was moving towards a more capitalist economy, with work becoming more specialized. Melville’s portrayal of the legal office demonstrates this shift, where workers had to do repetitive tasks without chances for personal fulfillment.
3. bartleby the scrivener themes
Isolation and Alienation: Bartleby’s Isolation
A key theme in Bartleby, the Scrivener is isolation. Bartleby’s withdrawal from the world symbolizes the loneliness people feel in modern society. His constant phrase, “I would prefer not to,” shows his detachment from both his work and society.
Bartleby’s isolation is not just social; it reflects a deeper disconnection from purpose. His passive resistance shows his disappointment with the world. The story raises important questions about how much control individuals have in a society that values productivity over well-being.
Work and Dehumanization: Workplace Effects on Individuals
Bartleby, the Scrivener critiques how work can dehumanize people. The law office, where Bartleby does menial tasks, represents the mechanical and oppressive side of modern jobs. The repetitive nature of his work and lack of meaningful engagement reduce individuals to mere tools.
Bartleby’s refusal to work illustrates his rejection of a system that strips away humanity. His actions make readers confront the harsh realities of labor in the 19th century and the psychological toll such work can have.
Free Will and Determinism: The Conflict Between Choice and Fate
Bartleby, the Scrivener also looks at the struggle between free will and determinism. Bartleby’s refusals challenge the narrator’s control. While the narrator tries to impose order, Bartleby’s passive resistance suggests that some people might resist societal expectations.
Bartleby’s eventual fate—his death in prison—seems to show the predetermined nature of his life. His resistance to work can be seen as exercising free will, but it also appears as an inevitable response to his oppressive work environment. This theme raises important questions about how much control individuals truly have over their lives, especially when faced with strong societal pressures.
4. bartleby the scrivener characters
The Narrator: Lawyer Who Employs Bartleby
The narrator of Bartleby, the Scrivener is a middle-aged lawyer in a busy New York City office. He is calm and a bit distant, representing authority in the story. He values hard work and efficiency, which contrasts with Bartleby’s refusal to cooperate. The narrator feels some compassion for Bartleby, but it is more of a thoughtful concern than a deep emotional connection. Throughout the story, he struggles to understand Bartleby’s strange actions and tries different ways to help him, showing his conflict between professional duty and care for Bartleby’s well-being. As a character, the narrator is both a storyteller and a participant, showing the conflict between following society’s rules and feeling empathy.
Bartleby: The Mysterious Scrivener
Bartleby is the main character and one of the most puzzling figures in American literature. He works as a copyist in the lawyer’s office and starts off doing his job well, but soon begins to refuse tasks by saying, “I would prefer not to.” His refusals eventually include all his work duties. His mysterious behavior and complete separation from society raise questions about his reasons and mental health. Bartleby’s quiet resistance and isolation challenge the narrator’s efforts to understand him. His tragic end in prison highlights his inability to connect with the world.
Turkey, Nippers, and Ginger Nut: Other Employees in the Office
- Turkey: A middle-aged copyist who works well in the morning but becomes drunk and erratic in the afternoon. He represents an older style of worker, and his behavior contrasts with Bartleby’s refusal to engage. Turkey is somewhat dependable, but his inconsistency shows the stress of office work.
- Nippers: A younger copyist who is often irritated and has digestion problems. He frequently changes moods and represents a young worker struggling to fit into office life. Unlike Bartleby, who is quiet, Nippers actively shows his frustration. Nippers’ unrest highlights Bartleby’s complete detachment.
- Ginger Nut: A young office boy who runs errands and brings snacks. Though a minor character, Ginger Nut represents the younger generation who follows office rules and does what is asked without resistance.
5. bartleby the scrivener summary
Exposition: Introduction to the Characters and Setting
The story starts with the narrator describing his office, where he employs several copyists, including Bartleby. He describes the office as quiet and orderly, with employees working efficiently. The narrator feels little personal connection to his workers beyond their usefulness. At first, Bartleby impresses him with his speed and diligence.
Rising Action: Key Events Leading to Bartleby’s Refusal to Work
As the story goes on, Bartleby begins to act strangely. He starts refusing small tasks with the phrase, “I would prefer not to.” His refusals grow, leaving the narrator confused. Other workers, like Turkey and Nippers, are frustrated by Bartleby, while the narrator tries to reason with him and even offers him a different job. However, Bartleby continues to refuse work, leaving the narrator more puzzled.
Climax: Bartleby’s Ultimate Refusal and the Narrator’s Response
The climax occurs when Bartleby refuses to do any work at all, including his basic duties. The narrator tries to be kind and offers Bartleby money or suggests he leave the office, but Bartleby is unresponsive, only saying he would prefer not to. When the narrator moves to a new office, he finds that Bartleby has been living in the old office after hours, becoming a permanent presence there. Bartleby’s refusal to leave and his growing isolation mark a turning point in the story.
Falling Action: Consequences of Bartleby’s Actions
The falling action focuses on what happens because of Bartleby’s behavior. The narrator feels responsible for Bartleby, but his efforts to help fail. Eventually, Bartleby is arrested for vagrancy and sent to prison. The narrator feels guilt and helplessness as he thinks about his inability to truly help Bartleby. The story shifts from critiquing the harshness of work to exploring personal responsibility and the lack of human connection in modern life.
Resolution: Conclusion and Resolution of the Plot
The story ends with Bartleby’s death in prison, which the narrator learns about later. Bartleby’s passive nature leads to his tragic end, as he cannot navigate the systems that could have helped him. The narrator reflects on Bartleby’s refusal to fit into society’s demands and his own role in Bartleby’s fate. The ending leaves readers with questions about the meaning of Bartleby’s actions and their larger significance.
6. Literary Devices and Techniques
Symbolism: Key Symbols and Their Meanings
- The Wall: Bartleby’s refusal to engage with life is shown through his focus on the brick wall outside the office. The wall symbolizes both his physical and emotional isolation.
- The Office: The office represents the cold, dehumanizing nature of modern work, where people are seen as just parts of a system. It is also a place where human connection is tested and often fails.
- Bartleby’s “I Would Prefer Not To”: This phrase symbolizes Bartleby’s rejection of societal expectations, showing his resistance and complete disconnection from the world.
Imagery: Use of Vivid Descriptions and Sensory Details
Melville uses imagery to create a sense of coldness and isolation throughout the story. The office is described as clean and orderly, but lacking warmth. Bartleby standing by the window or staring at the wall highlights his emotional withdrawal. The bleak imagery of the prison, where Bartleby dies, emphasizes his hopeless situation.
Irony: Instances of Irony in the Story
The story is full of irony, especially as the narrator’s control over his office fades in the face of Bartleby’s resistance. It is ironic that the narrator, who thinks of himself as a caring boss, is powerless to help Bartleby. The greatest irony is Bartleby’s fate: despite rejecting societal demands, he ends up in prison, illustrating the failure of society to support those who need it.
Tone and Style: Melville’s Unique Narrative Voice
Melville’s tone in Bartleby, the Scrivener is sad, frustrated, and thoughtful. The narrator speaks calmly and distantly, reflecting his rational view of work and discomfort with the emotional aspects of Bartleby’s actions. Melville’s writing is detailed and philosophical, focusing on moral and existential questions. Through the narrator’s thoughts, Melville encourages readers to think about the broader implications of Bartleby’s resistance and the costs of modern work and isolation.