Response to Bartleby, the Scrivener: A Story of Wall-Street

"I prefer not to" a phrase that rings throughout the text when Bartleby replies to others. This reading was slightly dry for my taste, but it kept the reader interested to find out why Bartleby behaved the way he did. The story brought up many human emotions when pondering what must be done to this poor man, who lost all will to work or even live. Its a sad story with pigments of humor and suspense, and leaves the reader drooling at the end for some more information on Bartleby, which the narrator gives a modest hint, though still leaves no real explanation. Overall I really appreciated this work of literary art, especially because it brought about so many emotions and really made you reflect yourself how you would react if this situation presented itself to you.

The characters are full of life and his descriptions really portray a richness in human traits. The narrator even gives them unique nicknames based on specific traits he deemed worthy to use as identifying them. We have Ginger-nut, a boy who eats ginger nuts, Turkey is an alcoholic elderly man who has a bobbling hand in the afternoon making ink blogs on copies, and lastly Nippers, who is a young man who is also an alcoholic and is very grouchy in the mornings, but pleasant in the afternoon. Nippers and Turkey played a comic relieve in this story with their distinct personalities that the narrator paints vividly and their at times humorously crude remarks.

When Bartleby is introduced in this story, you get a picture that he is aloof to the world, devoted only to doing his job. You admire him for his seriousness and laugh when he is asked to do little things like walk to the post office, only responding with "I'd prefer not to". The narrator is perplexed by Bartleby, the reader as the story unfolds further, begins to join the narrator in Bartleby's complexities wanting an explanation. The further the reader digs the more you know less about Bartleby, it is a unique story that leaves much debate.

My summary of this story will end with that, I really enjoyed this piece and its sadness has struck me with bewilderment, that I will seldom ever forget. The narrator is a very kind man, as well as a intellectual. He views his environment critically, seeking explanations for why the world is the way it is. I found a passage that really hit me internally, rattling my core and exposing light onto my being. It is one sentence, that can bring about the whole meaning of this story of Bartleby, and haunt you for life.

"Ah, happiness courts the light, so we deem the world is gay; but misery hides aloof, so we deem that misery there is none". (Bartleby par. 89) I was amazed by this passage, as we all can relate to it in our life, as well as understanding the moral of this story about Bartleby. Its perplexing to think about, we see happiness and forget of misery. Misery is all around us, but it hides in the shadows. Sometimes the shadow of misery, is cast over you and you find yourself shocked, as if it came out of nowhere. Its hard to respond to something you have little understanding of as well, as in the case of Bartleby. The narrator points out, misery is always around us, we just tend to not notice it until we have no choice. I feel like he dug out a trench in the soul of how we perceive good and evil, right and wrong, happiness and misery. When this phrase burns into your brain, you read further of this story and the pieces of what conspires only adds to this eternal comprehension and agonizing moral struggle.

I now contemplate what I would have done with poor Bartleby. As a reader you ache to for him to open himself up and expose the demons within that are decaying his body and soul. You are saddened that you never have a chance to get to know why Bartleby gave up on life, you just know he did. You debate it feverishly within your mind, playing out scenarios and still have little to add for explanation. This story causes the reader to look inside themselves, something rarely found when reading. I am glad to have been able to have read this piece, I enjoy all the emotions I was forced to experience. The deeper meaning I found in this story I will not forget.

 "Ah Bartleby! Ah Humanity!". (Bartleby par. 250)

After reading this story, this link adds to your foundation of the context and deeper understanding of Bartleby. Learn a little more here!

-David

WORKS CITED

Melville, Herman. "Bartleby, the Scrivener: A Story of Wall-street." Bartleby. N.p., 2011. Web. 18 Feb 2012. <http://www.bartleby.com/129/>.