Fight the MAN!
Herman Melville has attempted to capture the daring efforts of a hero
in the short story "Bartleby the Scrivener, A Tale of Wall
Street." Melville writes a story of
a lawyer, an elderly man who works with mortgages, titles, and bonds, who
employs a man by the name of Bartleby. An incredibly passive and quiet man,
Bartleby models obscurity. His reserve personality intrigues his boss, initiating
a connection. Bartleby is explained as a visibly weak looking man, even the lawyer
explains him as "motionless and cadaverous" (Melville,15). However he
demonstrates a strong will and mental
toughness throughout the story. Standing tall with a fearlessness Bartleby is
the hero of Melville's story in his refusal to participate in a workplace that
represents the sad, dreary atmosphere of a bureaucratic, industrialized
society.
The
generation and placement in the story helps construct some of Bartlebys'
courageousness. The 1850's Wall Street was becoming the Mecca of financial
activity for the United States. Melville uses Wall Street as a symbolic
reference to capitalism. The production for profit scene back then would have typically
engulfed someone with Bartlebys characteristics. Whereas today's society is
more suitable in accepting contrasting personalities in a uniform
environment, the 1850's wasn't. Somewhat
of a modern day sit-in, Bartleby was forcefully removed and even arrested. Fed
up he became combative against the industrialized society. The bravery of Bartleby is now exposed in the
story. Never straying away from who he is, the introverted person, he calmly
refuses to do what is asked. The lawyer, his boss, is taking back. Uncertain
what to do with Bartlebys gritty response," I would prefer not to,"
he does nothing (21). Unafraid to shine his true-self Bartleby simply reacted.
His reaction equaling a heroic opposition towards the economic control of
society.
The
profession of a scrivener offers a significant platform to view Bartlebys
fortitude. As a scrivener there are not too many positions out there that are
less desirable. Employed by lawyers, a scrivener would copy legal court
documents by hand. If that wasn't bad
enough Bartlebys' window faced a brick wall, signifying the imprisonment of
bartlebys surroundings. “At first, Bartleby did an extraordinary quantity of
writing. As is long famishing for something to copy, he seemed to gorge himself
on my documents. There was no pause for digestion. He ran a day and night line,
copying by sun-light and by candle-light.”(18). Enough was enough, Bartleby was
finished with dreary workplace. Adjusting his stance Bartleby resigns the firm,
as the firm has abandoned him. Poised in his stance he response mildly, "I
would prefer not to," to any and all of the lawyers request(21). Echoing
his opposition, Bartlebys' backbone is protruding and no longer hidden.
The
lawyers internal battle within himself demonstrates bartlebys heroic imprint.
The lawyer, a safe and peaceful man, is convinced "the easiest way of life
is the best"(3). It's clear the narrator, or lawyer, is a bite self
centered. Holding dear to him is the fact he once was employed by John Jacob
Astor . He describes himself as a " unambitious lawyers who never
addresses a jury…but in the cool tranquility of a snug retreat, do a snug
business among rich men's bonds and mortgages and title-deeds."(3). A
sense of tenderness and kindness is lacking in this man. Compassion and empathy
are not oozing out of him. However Bartleby pulls some humanness out of his
boss. When the lawyer comes upon Bartleby living in his office, he says "
for the first time in my life a feeling of overpowering melancholy seized
me"(89). Between irritability and mercy the lawyer battled through his
emotions he had for Bartleby. With little change the lawyer continues with his
life until Bartleby is threatened with imprisonment,
literally. Charity rearing its head as the lawyer offers Bartleby to stay with
him, in his own home. The lawyer is now struggling with what to do with
Bartleby. A sense of compassion can now be felt in the lawyer. Bartlebys
influence was valiant on the lawyer. Bartlebys stamp can be seen on the lawyer
as he often visited him in prison and showed genuine kindness towards him,
"Ah Bartleby, Ah Humanity"(251).
Through Bartleby, the lawyer views
his world and humanity in a different light. Bartleby, a silent hero, made a
difference with his decisions. Quietly asserting himself, in a fearless stance
against the bureaucratic society, Bartleby never adheres to the official duties.
Bartleby stubbornness to not follow the crowd allowed him to exist. Even after Bartleby
had passed away his impression on the lawyer had infiltrated him. A hero always
gets remembered
Work
cited
Melville,
Herman Bartleby The Scrivener, A Story of Wall Street. New York: Putman, 1853.
