Bartleby The Scrivener Character Analysis Essay

Herman Melville’s use of the central character in the famous short story, “Bartleby, the Scrivener: A Story of Wall Street,” truly opens up the premise of this story’s central idea. Instead of Bartleby being the central character, he uses the lawyer as the narrator, who at the time, was the boss who employed Bartleby on Wall Street. Through the eyes of this character we can still be mystified by Bartleby, but truly feel the qualities and direct affect that Bartleby demonstrated on others and mostly the narrator. As the antagonist of this story, his attitude throughout is very calm and immobile making him a static character. This unique choice of the antagonist gives the narrator many opportunities to introduce the mysterious Bartleby, describe …show more content…
The narrator was shocked and waves of mixed emotions flooded over him with the disobediences of Bartleby. He felt as if Bartleby was taking authority by not doing as he says. He is displeased and forcefully questions Bartleby as to why he will not quit him. Bartleby simply answers, “I would prefer not to quit you.” The narrator getting more angered tells Bartleby he has no right for he does not pay rent or work. He realizes he is alone with this strange Bartleby and starts to reference the tragedy of the unfortunate Samuel Adams who was murdered by John C. Colt associating this reference with solitary and his feelings towards Bartleby at that point in time. He endeavors to occupy his mind and comfort himself while still confused about Bartleby’s true reasoning behind his stubborn acts. He had figured out a solution to permanently remove the “intolerable incubus,” as the narrator now describes Bartleby, taking a turn towards fury. He does not want to send him away to the Tombs, for he does not think he is a vagrant, but he is. The expression of kindness and sympathy is shown in the narrator at this time for he does not want to take drastic measures but for him to vanish away safely. The narrator eventually figures out a plan which he thought was clever and proceeds to the office the next day to plan the attack on Bartleby. “I find these chambers too far from the City Hall; the air is unwholesome.” He exclaims …show more content…
The narrator puts you in the perspective of identifying the real actions of Bartleby, both being a little pitiful and somewhat frightening. Even when the narrator is angriest with Bartleby, he almost feels as if he has a profound responsibility to keep checking in on him. Even after Bartleby is no longer employed by the man he still remains oddly sympathetic. When the narrator visits the scrivener in the Tombs, he declares to him that this might just be the perfect place for such a still person. He introduces Bartleby to the grub-man who tells him that Bartleby refuses to eat. The grub-man tells Bartleby this is a great place to be and he wishes he stay there for a while. The narrator comes back to find Bartleby unresponsive and declares he was at rest with the kings and counselors, a biblical reference referring to death. Bartleby had died and the narrator found himself feeling peculiar. The symbolic representation of death and Bartley’s life identify to the narrator himself. Bartleby exhibits acts of depression from the very beginning. Starting with his “cadaverous” appearance and then by lapsing into nonconformity and self- isolation. This could be analyzed many ways but it may be the way the narrator relates himself with Bartleby has representation on his own old life and his fears of ending up alone and eventually dying away. Mortality is a key factor in the way