An Analysis of the Symbol for Humanity in Bartleby the Scrivener by Herman Melville Essay

Bartleby By MilvilleSince he will not quit me, I must quit him. "Ah Bartleby, Ah Humanity."(Page 140, Herman Melville) This is the key to Bartleby, written by HermanMelville, for it indicates that Bartleby stands as a symbol for humanity. Thisin turn functions as a commentary on society and the working world, for Bartlebyis a seemingly homeless, mentally disturbed scrivener who gives up on theprospect of living life. However, by doing so Bartleby is attempting to exercisehis freewill, for he would "prefer not to" work. His relationship to thenarrator is thus significant, for as he attempts to exercise his freewill he isbreaking from the will of the narrator and the normal progression of life.However, this attempt to exercise his freewill and break loose from the confinesof typical societal functions, isolates Bartleby from society, which in turnplaces him in a state of depression and soon there after, death. Ultimately, byhaving Bartleby "prefer not to," Melville is commenting on the role ofhumanity in the work force. If man attempts to break free of his role andexercise his own freewill then he is severing himself from humanity which inturn will lead to depression and perhaps death, for he will have nothing but awall always obstructing him. From the beginning Bartleby is isolated within theconfines of his work place. "I procured a high green folding screen, whichmight entirely isolate Bartleby from my sight, though not remove him from myvoice."( pg 111) In this quotation the narrator put Arnold, Page 2 up a screento separate his office from Bartleby's, which isolates him from the othermembers of the staff which thus isolates him from humanity. However, this is notthe end of the isolation for he is not only detached from those around him, butsociety as well. "I placed his desk close up to a small side window, a windowthat had originally afforded a view of certain grimy backyards, but whichcommanded at present, no view at all. Within three feet of the pains...

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