1. Explain why Melville ends “Bartleby” with “Ah, humanity!” 2. Analyze the controlling symbol of the wall in “Bartleby.” 3. Explain how “Bartleby” reflects Melville’s rebellion against the literary establishment. 4. Evaluate the role of these minor figures in the plot of “Bartleby”: Turkey, Nippers, Ginger Nut, the landlord, and […]
Read more Study Help Essay QuestionsCritical Essays Literary Technique
In the rising action, Melville introduces a symbol, the plaster of Paris bust of Cicero, which serves as a kind of foretaste of the mask of cool detachment which obscures Bartleby’s emotions. A similar example of tactile artistry is the allusion to a “pillar of salt,” which particularizes the stodgy […]
Read more Critical Essays Literary TechniqueCritical Essays Elements of Fiction
The story’s existential overtones spotlight Bartleby like an uncurious rat in an unfathomable maze as he eventually dies in a cheerless cul-de-sac, a walled stopping place in his aspirations which leads to total emotional dysfunction and death. On another plane, the futility of Bartleby’s existence suggests Melville’s personal disillusionment with […]
Read more Critical Essays Elements of FictionHerman Melville Biography
He was a faithful letter writer and established a reputation as a mesmerizing teller of tales. He gave full range to his imagination, as demonstrated by his comment about the writing of Moby-Dick: “I have a sort of sea-feeling. My room seems a ship’s cabin; and at nights when I […]
Read more Herman Melville BiographySummary and Analysis Resolution
Since Bartleby is not considered a dangerous criminal, he has the run of the prison yard, where the lawyer finds him facing a high wall within sight of thieves and murderers. At the lawyer’s approach, Bartleby does not turn around and refuses to converse. The lawyer disclaims any part in […]
Read more Summary and Analysis ResolutionSummary and Analysis Falling Action
Several days later, the new occupant of the lawyer’s former offices tells him that he must do something about Bartleby, for whom he, as former tenant, is responsible. The lawyer disclaims any connection with Bartleby. The next day, more complainants goad the lawyer to stop Bartleby from haunting the building, […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Falling ActionSummary and Analysis Climax
Wrestling with the urge to strike out in anger, the lawyer leaves the office without addressing Bartleby further. After doing some preliminary reading on willful behavior and necessity, the lawyer comes to think of Bartleby as a burden imposed by God. He concludes that he will allow Bartleby to stay […]
Read more Summary and Analysis ClimaxSummary and Analysis Rising Action
A few days later, Bartleby refuses to take part in scanning his own sheaf of quadruplicates. The lawyer, exasperated to the breaking point, asks his other employees their opinion in the matter. Turkey agrees that the lawyer has made a reasonable request; Nippers suggests that they kick Bartleby out of […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Rising ActionSummary and Analysis Exposition
Analysis Throughout this story, the limited first-person point of view of the narrator reveals more of his own values and motivation than those of Bartleby, whom he never fully appreciates or comprehends. Like yin and yang, the two form the necessary dichotomy of clerical worker and professional, just as Turkey […]
Read more Summary and Analysis ExpositionCharacter List
The Lawyer A complacent, self-satisfied professional “conveyancer and title hunter,” the narrator of the story, who is nearly sixty years old, refers to himself as “rather elderly.” Imbued with the philosophy that the “easiest way of life is the best,” he enjoys the rewards of the office of Master in […]
Read more Character List