Awakening In the Story Bartelby by Herman Melville
Awakening In the Story Bartelby by Herman Melville
In the story “Bartleby, the Scrivener, by Herman Melville,” we learn the many decisions the narrator has to make as the story progresses. We first learn of his background as a lawyer of a business on Wall Street who deals with rich men’s bonds, mortgages, and deeds. He describes himself as a man who thinks the easiest way is the best. Others also consider him, as in the words of John Jacob Astor, an eminently safe man.
The narrator sees himself as a strong-willed employer. However, he is merely a push over. This is first illustrated through his two current employees Turkey and Nippers. Turkey is described as an Englishman about the same age as the narrator. He is productive in the morning but becomes drunk by noon. However, the narrator’s attempts to send him home have never been successful. Nippers, who is described as a young-looking man, is quite the opposite. His irritation is caused by his indigestion, which causes him to be less productive in the morning and more productive in the afternoon when the indigestion wears off. However, he is never reprimanded for his behavior either. These are examples of the narrator’s lack of authority within the office.
The narrator generally sees himself as a good person. He considers himself to do right by others, his employees and colleague alike. One can also see him as a religious and lawful person. He attends church each Sunday and tends to obey the law. Although he sees himself as a good person, and he is not a bad person, the way he lives his life is simply too naive. He does not take any risks and to an extent he allows his employees to do as they please. This naïve behavior becomes apparent with the introduction of the scrivener, Bartleby. Throughout the story Bartley “prefers not to” do any of his work. The narrator continues to play it safe and does not question or reprimand Bartleby’s actions. This is because he fears Bartleby will become vulnerable to the other employers. The narrator is concerned that if Bartleby is dismissed the other people who might hire him will be less forgiving of his eccentric qualities and habits. He...