Draft Essay # 2

David Hubbard
Eng.102
Feb. 18, 2012

                                                                     Lack of Humanity

                The Industrial Revolution threw away empathy, compassion and understanding for a better profit margin. This ethical and moral shift, never left the minds’ or the hearts’ of the wealthy and elite. In today’s work place, it is sad to see but profits and productivity trump the worker. The worker is merely a pair of hands or an annoyance, in the case of Bartleby. Industrialization, and now globalization, is stripping away the humanity of the world.   

 Emotional bonds and personal connects were prevalent and necessary in pre-industrial apprenticeships. To take an apprentice was to invest in a long-term relationship.  With the pace of mass production and the large, cold factories people got lost in the crowd and often forgotten or ignored. It was too much work to become emotionally involved with staff and in many cases undignified. Bartleby is society’s cry for help. In contrast, the narrator is the industrial revolutions’ coldness and aloofness.

The narrator introduces his subordinates in a negative light, focusing on their faults and referring to them by humiliating and offensive nicknames. With these actions he is setting a president of superiority by belittling them. He describes Turkey as an incompetent aging drunk with afternoon withdraws. Nippers also an alcoholic, discontent in life and work mirrors Turkey; “their fits relieved each other like guards” ( par.13). The narrator subtly mocks and jokes about these men’s lives being train wrecks, but justify it by the fact they get some work done in the office. He expects respect, but refuses to return it. He feels control and power through demeaning his employees and removing himself personally. 

   Upon hiring Bartleby, the narrator is shocked, when his authority is challenged. Unable to handle this insubordinate action, the narrator chooses to ignore it. The narrator chooses not to deal with it because he does not know how to. He like many business owners inherited his success and did not earn it.  This, have and have not society, leads to a superiority and often incompetence.  When his authority is questions a second time, he asks his subordinates what they recommended. They replied, “Fire him.” The narrator was hoping that peer pressure would do the job, that he is unable to do.

Problems escalate in the office with Bartleby, but still the narrator chooses to ignore. It is easier for him to ignore Bartleby, then confront him and get to the root of the problem.  The narrator justify ignoring him, by stating, “he means no mischief…he intends no insolence” ( par. 53). The narrator lets this issue fester and has an “evil impulse,” leading to the a rising temper and still no results ( para. 53). The narrator is confused as to why a man produces nothing and is almost envious of this fact. Bartleby goes against the grain of society, and this perplexes the narrator. The narrator is a machine; he continues without stopping and cannot understand why others don’t.

The narrator discovers that Bartleby is sleeping in the office and states an unfamiliar feeling of sympathy.  He states, “Happiness courts the light, so we deem the world is gay; but misery hides aloof” (par 89). The narrator was content living his life of grandeur and vacations, and never thought of the others. He was content being oblivious. Now the narrator has to address undesirable feelings. The narrator is beginning to see employees as people with needs, but chooses to ignore this and not get involved. The narrator is losing productivity in his office, by allowing Bartleby to stay, and the narrator is unable to identify and address his feelings towards Bartley. 

The narrator finally gains the courage to address the office issue, not the personal issue of Bartleby. When Bartleby refuses to leave, the narrator fantasizes about “diabolical murder for sweet charity’s sake” (par.165). Still he cannot acknowledge the problem and tries desperately to find quick solutions to cauterize the issue. The narrator in a final act of desperation attempts to leave the problem, by moving the office. He hopes he will be able to leave this problem and never address the issue. He is still refusing to acknowledge Bartleby as a person.

Once Bartleby is arrested, the narrator finally realizes the gravity of the situation and steps outside of the industrial mindset. He sheds the machine and desperately tries to repent for his mistakes. Unable to in time, Bartleby dies a sad and lonely death. The narrator finally realizes that life is far more important than production.  The narrator seems perplexed and annoyed at humanity and this inconvenient awakening.

The narrator’s denial, justification, and avoidance is that of a machine. He is a privileged business owner who does not have the time or the capacity to express sympathy or empathy. A persistent problem, forces the narrator to finally awaken and become human-open, compassionate, and vulnerable. Traits that are foreign to industry.