Bartleby, the Scrivener,” written in the Romantic era by a writer often associated with Romanticism, may not seem like it has some of the more distinct traits of that movement. It does, however, seem to say something about the individual versus society, and/or about reason and rationality versus instinct and desire. What do you think this story is saying about one or both of those themes?
-450+ words
-Multiple direct quotes from the text to support the answer.
-The assignment needs to be in “Essay Form” – Introduction, Body, Conclusion
-The text is located here: http://moglen.law.columbia.edu/LCS/bartleby.pdf
Works Cited NOT REQUIRED
Bartleby, The Scrivener
Student’s Name
University
Course
Professor
Date
Do we, as humans, control our emotions? Bartleby, the Scrivener is a short story written by Herman Melville in the mid-19th century, during the Romantic era. According to Borjesen et al. (2019), the story centers around a lawyer and his interactions with a new scrivener, Bartleby, who refuses to follow the lawyer’s requests and instead chooses to “prefer not to” carry out his duties. He also states that the story seems to say something about the individual versus society and reason and rationality versus instinct and desire. One of the key themes in the story is the individual versus society. Bartleby is a non-conformist who refuses to comply with the expectations and demands of society, as represented by the lawyer and his colleagues. He chooses to live a solitary life and refuses to be part of the capitalist system embodied in the lawyer’s office. He rejects the lawyer’s authority and control and chooses to live according to his principles. In this way, Bartleby’s actions challenge the societal norms and expectations of the time, and the story highlights the tension between the individual and society. This essay describes the themes of the individual versus society and reason and rationality versus instinct and desire.
One of the key themes in the story is the individual versus society. According to Napitupulu et al. (2022), Bartleby is a non-conformist who refuses to comply with the expectations and demands of society, as represented by the lawyer and his colleagues. He chooses to live a solitary life and refuses to be part of the capitalist system embodied in the lawyer’s office. He rejects the lawyer’s authority and control and chooses to live according to his principles. Napitupulu (2022) also claims that throughout the story, Bartleby is depicted as a non-conformist who refuses to comply with the expectations and demands of society, as represented by the lawyer and his colleagues. He chooses to live a solitary life and refuses to be part of the capitalist system embodied in the lawyer’s office. He rejects the lawyer’s authority and control and chooses to live according to his principles. Bartleby’s actions challenge the societal norms and expectations of the time. He refuses to work, a fundamental aspect of society, and instead chooses to live a life of idleness; This is in direct opposition to the capitalist ideology of the time, emphasizing the importance of hard work and productivity. The lawyer’s reactions to Bartleby’s behavior also highlight the tension between the individual and society. Ultimately, Bartleby’s refusal to conform to societal expectations leads to his tragic demise. He is arrested, sent to prison, and later dies in prison. This sad outcome serves as a reminder of the destructive nature of societal norms and the power of the individual to resist them. Thus, the theme of the individual versus society is portrayed in the story.
Another theme in the story is reason and rationality versus instinct and desire. According to Verdicchio et al. (2018), Bartleby’s actions are not based on reason or rationality but rather on his inner desire to be free from the constraints of society. He does not provide a logical explanation for his refusal to work but states that he would “prefer not to.” This highlights the idea that human behavior is not always driven by logic but by deeper, more instinctual impulses. Verdicchio also claims that Bartleby’s actions are driven by his instincts and desires. He is not motivated by reason or logic but by something deeper and more fundamental. His refusal to comply with his employer’s demands is not a rational decision, but a manifestation of his inner desires. He also states that the theme of reason and rationality versus instinct and desire is further highlighted by the contrast between the narrator’s law office and the surroundings in which Bartleby lives and works. The law office symbolizes rationality and order, while Bartleby’s dwelling in the “dead letter office” symbolizes chaos and disorder. The narrator’s attempts to impose order and rationality on Bartleby are ultimately doomed to failure, as Bartleby’s actions are driven by something that cannot be understood or controlled through reason and rationality. Thus, in Herman Melville’s short story “Bartleby, the Scrivener,” the theme of reason and rationality versus instinct and desire is portrayed.
In conclusion, the story centers around a lawyer and his interactions with a new scrivener, Bartleby, who refuses to follow the lawyer’s requests and instead chooses to “prefer not to” carry out his duties. It is a story that explores the theme of individuality and society. It presents a character who defies societal norms and chooses to live according to his desires rather than conforming to the expectations of others. It highlights the destructive nature of societal norms and the power of the individual to resist them, a theme consistent with the Romantic era, which championed individualism and celebrated the control of emotions over reason. The story also explores the theme of reason and rationality versus instinct and desire. It presents a character whose actions are not based on reason or rationality but on his inner desires. It highlights the idea that human behavior is not always driven by logic but by deeper, more instinctual impulses. It shows how reason and rationality can be ineffective in understanding and controlling human behavior and how the actions of individuals can be driven by something deeper and more fundamental. The story raises important questions about the nature of human behavior and the limits of reason and rationality in understanding and controlling it.
Bojesen, E., & Allen, A. (2019). BARTLEBY IS DEAD: Inverting common readings of Melville’s Bartleby, the Scrivener. Angelaki, 24(5), 61-72.
Napitupulu, R., & Angginata, S. (2022). The Influence of Transcendentalism through Herman Melville’s Short Story, “Bartleby the Scrivener”. Budapest International Research and Critics Institute (BIRCI-Journal): Humanities and Social Sciences, 5(1), 4434-4442.
Verdicchio, M. (2018). ” Bartleby the Scrivener”: An Allegory of Reading. Canadian Review of Comparative Literature/Revue Canadienne de Littérature Comparée, 45(3), 438-448.