MediaBistro reported on a group reading of Melville's story last week at Zuccotti Park , and over at The New Republic , Nina Martyris weighed in on how what she called "America's first slacktivist" might inform a contemporary critique of Wall Street. Consider this passage from "Bartleby," in which the narrator recognizes the impact of Bartleby's language on himself and his employees:.
Somehow, of late I had got into the way of involuntarily using this word "prefer" upon all sorts of not exactly suitable occasions. And I trembled to think that my contact with the scrivener had already and seriously affected me in a mental way. And what further and deeper aberration might it not yet produce? This apprehension had not been without efficacy in determining me to summary means. As Nippers, looking very sour and sulky, was departing, Turkey blandly and deferentially approached.
I never use it myself. But, sir, as I was saying, if he would but prefer—". Here, the narrator—himself a boss—recognizes his own "involuntary" way of using the word "prefer," and "tremble[s] to think" of the other ways in which Bartleby might have "already and seriously affected" him. He observes how his employee, Turkey, has also "got the word," even if Turkey himself does not realize how that "queer word" has entered into his everyday lexicon.
As the narrator dismisses Turkey, he has a brief exchange with his other employee, Nippers, who similarly asks "whether [he] would prefer to have a certain paper copied on blue paper or white. He did not in the least roguishly accent the word prefer.
It was plain that it involuntarily rolled from his tongue. Yesterday, they finally got around to responding to my request. It was a no, offered in a withering one word response. Image: The very funny LOLerature. We are currently in Beta and are only allowing really desperate people to join. More: Bartleby Facebook Melville. Usually, these intense scenes serve as a climax or a revelation to all that has occurred before it.
In "Bartleby," this action occurs in the rapid imprisonment, decline and death of Bartleby, all in the space of about three pages the exact climax is probably when the Lawyer, after confronting Bartleby on the banister, is refused for the last time, and leaves Bartleby to be taken to prison. Though Bartleby's imprisonment and death seem like an inevitable conclusion to this sad tale, the speed with which it all occurs makes it seem like an afterthought, as if it isn't that important.
By making his climax and falling action so swift, Melville forces the reader to be more considerate of everything leading up to it.
SparkTeach Teacher's Handbook. Character List Bartleby. Themes Motifs Symbols. Important Quotes Explained. Mini Essays Suggested Essay Topics. Summary "Bartleby the Scrivener" cont. Page 1 Page 2. Summary The Lawyer, the narrator of the story, has already been surprised once before by Bartleby's refusal to examine a document, as all scriveners law- copyists are required to do.
Analysis Before discussing some of the themes of "Bartleby the Scrivener," it is important to note Melville's style.
0コメント