Most have viewed it as a work of social criticism dealing with the psychological effects of capitalism as it existed in the 1850s. The story has been interpreted by critics in numerous ways. One day, Bartleby the scrivener announces that he “would prefer not to” follow his employer’s orders or even to be “a little reasonable.” The resulting tragedy follows from Bartleby’s inability or unwillingness to articulate the reasons for his rebellion and from his employer’s inability to comprehend Bartleby’s reasons for resisting and ultimate unwillingness to accommodate him. The plot involves one man’s difficulty in coping with his employee’s peculiar form of passive resistance. “Bartleby the Scrivener” was written by Herman Melville in 1853 and was first published in Putnam’s Magazine in the November/December issue of that year. Wall Street." This imagery attempt of not disclosing the exact address gives the reader the notion that the events really occurred at some specific place, when in fact, none of it actually did.Bartleby the Scrivener, A Tale of Wall Street He says, "My chambers were upstairs at No. Even when the narrator talks about his office, he leaves out the numbers, as if to maintain some confidentiality. I also liked the story because it was told as if the events really occurred. So, of course, he was just cast away, alone to survive with whatever affliction he suffered of. Bartleby is an example of a person in this environment who simply could not exist normally. There is no room for individuality the prevailing attitude seems to be one in which those who cannot exist alone must get out. Everyone goes on with their business without noticing the people around them. On Wall Street, there is no room for caring. Even the title of this story is well thought out Bartleby the Scrivener, A Story of Wall Street. Dead letters, of course, never reach their destination they just exist without any real purpose, much like Bartleby did. Bartleby worked in the dead letter's office. Bartleby's previous job also held some important symbolism. The narrator allows this and Bartleby ends up just living in the office. Again later, Bartleby quit working altogether. Bartleby did whatever he felt like doing. Also, when the narrator asked Bartleby to do something, Bartleby said simply that he, "would prefer not to." The narrator allowed this behavior and offered no discipline. Also, when Bartleby first starts work, the narrator says that he placed him behind a screen so that he, ' Might entirely isolate Bartleby from my sight, though not to remove him from my voice." This wall served no real purpose other than to set himself apart from the scriveners, that is, to make himself feel more important. And so, the narrator allows the behavior to continue. When the narrator suggests that the two scriveners work only half a day, they refuse. Both these men appear to be alcoholics, as for instance, when Turkey returns from lunch he is not able to write without blotting the paper. He tolerates the tempers of both Turkey and Nippers day after day. He seems to put up with nearly everything. This man, the narrator, is also a very weak willed man. This shows that he is truly beginning to care. He knows that if he does not check on Bartleby's well- being, no one will. The narrator goes to the prison to check on Bartleby only because he cares and knows that nobody else does. After moving, and being rid of Bartleby, someone comes to him on Bartleby's behalf. After all the trivial attempts to help Bartleby, the narrator seems to have an instant of true feeling for Bartleby. This quasi- sincerity does seem to take a turn, however, towards the end of the story. After the narrator informs Bartleby that the office must be vacated, he says to himself, "As I walked home in a pensive mood, my vanity got the better of my pity." The narrator is glad to have gotten rid of Bartleby, but only it seems, because he gave Bartleby money. Every time the narrator tries to assist Bartleby, he seems to do it only to gratify himself. The narrator seems to have a sincere wish to help Bartleby in whatever way he can. The narrator's thoughts seem unclear even to himself. The narrator is an interesting man who is difficult to completely understand. The characters were very interesting to the intuitive reader. Bartleby, the Scrivener was a most interesting story.
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