Bartleby, the Scrivener: A Story of Wall-Street

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

11231

Title

Bartleby, the Scrivener: A Story of Wall-Street

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Herman Melville's haunting tale follows a pragmatic New York lawyer who hires a peculiar scrivener named Bartleby. When Bartleby refuses to work and eventually refuses to leave, the narrator's patience erodes into fear and pity. This classic exploration of alienation, obedience, and the human condition offers a profound, melancholic look at the cost of modern labor and the mystery of the solitary soul.

Summary up to 500 words

Set in the soulless, bustling atmosphere of Wall Street, Herman Melville's *Bartleby, the Scrivener* introduces a narrator, a prudent lawyer who values order and profit above all else. He employs three eccentric clerks: Turkey, a boisterous man whose energy peaks after noon; Nippers, a young man plagued by indigestion and irritability; and Ginger Nut, a boy. Their chaotic dynamics are disrupted by the arrival of Bartleby, a quiet, pale man who initially appears only on a Sunday. Bartleby's defining trait is his refusal to engage with the world. When the narrator asks him simple questions about his past, Bartleby replies, "I would prefer not to." This phrase becomes his signature response to every request, from copying documents to leaving the office. Initially dismissed as eccentric, Bartleby's refusal to work escalates until he abandons his desk entirely, haunting the building's stairwells and entryways. The narrator, initially moved by pity, eventually succumbs to the pressure of his tenants and the landlord, leading to Bartleby's removal to the Tombs, a jail. Inside the prison, Bartleby remains detached, facing a wall and ignoring offers of food or company. The narrator visits him one last time, finding the man asleep against the cold stones, having seemingly starved himself. The story concludes with the narrator's inability to explain Bartleby's origins or motives, leaving the reader with a lingering sense of mystery. A rumor suggests Bartleby worked in the Dead Letter Office in Washington, a detail that deepens the themes of death and futility. Ultimately, the narrative stands as a timeless meditation on the fragility of the human spirit against the rigid structures of society.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Psychology
• Fiction