Bartleby, the Scrivener
A Wall Street clerk’s passive defiance questions conformity and individuality.
Summary of 7 Key Points
Key Points
- Introduction to Bartleby, an unconventional scrivener
- Bartleby’s famous line: ‘I would prefer not to’
- Impact of Bartleby’s actions on his employer
- The isolation and mystery surrounding Bartleby
- The narrator’s struggle to understand Bartleby
- The gradual decline of Bartleby’s life
- Reflections on society’s response to non-conformity
key point 1 of 7
Introduction to Bartleby, an unconventional scrivener
Bartleby is a character who stands out from conventional scriveners due to his personal idiosyncrasies and unique behavior. Unlike other scriveners who engage in their duties with industry and diligence, Bartleby’s approach to work is characterized by an aversion to common tasks. On his hiring, he is initially industrious and honest, copying documents with speed and precision. His relentless drive, however, starts to fade rapidly, and he begins to shy away from duties, often responding with his now-famous statement, ‘I would prefer not to.’ ..Read&Listen More
key point 2 of 7
Bartleby’s famous line: ‘I would prefer not to’
Bartleby’s refrain, ‘I would prefer not to’, reverberates throughout the narrative, establishing itself as a symbol of passive resistance. This phrase is first used when Bartleby’s employer asks him to proofread a document. Instead of outright refusing, Bartleby expresses his preference for not engaging in the task, highlighting his aversion to participation and his detachment from the obligations of his employment…Read&Listen More
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Impact of Bartleby’s actions on his employer
Bartleby’s actions initially produce a sense of bewilderment in his employer. The lawyer, a man accustomed to authority and obedience in his Wall Street office, is flabbergasted by Bartleby’s passive resistance – his steady response of ‘I would prefer not to’ when asked to perform tasks. The lawyer is confronted with a rebellion that he has never faced before, which is neither violent nor argumentative, and yet absolute in its refusal…Read&Listen More
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The isolation and mystery surrounding Bartleby
Bartleby, a man of profound silence and inexplicable behavior, exists in a world of his own, isolated from the rest of society. His interactions with others are limited to the point of non-existence, and he hardly leaves the office, further emphasizing his self-imposed isolation. His life is consumed by the repetitive task of copying documents, a job he does not question until he solemnly utters, ‘I would prefer not to’, a phrase that becomes his mantra and embodies his alienation…Read&Listen More
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The narrator’s struggle to understand Bartleby
The narrator’s struggle to understand Bartleby is a complex ordeal that encompasses a wide array of emotions and reactions. Initially, the narrator is intrigued by Bartleby’s unique quirks, the inscrutable wall of ‘I prefer not to’ that Bartleby puts up whenever asked to perform any task outside his copying duties. This engenders confusion in the narrator, a lawyer, used to clear instructions and the obedient following of orders…Read&Listen More
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The gradual decline of Bartleby’s life
Bartleby’s life in ‘Bartleby, the Scrivener’ begins a gradual decline when he ceases to perform his copyist duties. Initially, his efficiency and dedication towards his work are unmatched, his diligence and commitment impeccable. He is presented as an exceptionally efficient copyist, working tirelessly, with an undying focus on his tasks, and rarely taking breaks from his work. His meticulous approach to his work is noticeable and appreciated…Read&Listen More
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Reflections on society’s response to non-conformity
The society’s response to non-conformity, as depicted in Bartleby’s narrative, oscillates between curiosity, frustration, and ultimately, abandonment. Initially, when Bartleby starts his peculiar behavior of ‘preferring not to,’ his colleagues and employer, the lawyer, respond with baffled curiosity. They do not understand why he would choose to deny participating in routine tasks, but they attempt to accommodate his eccentricities, perhaps out of a sense of novelty or intrigue…Read&Listen More