Bartleby

Response Question:

Some readers and critics argue that Bartleby is the ultimate non-conformist, a rebel who refuses to do as he is ordered. Others see him as passive and weak, rejecting his non-conformity as ineffective. Using textual evidence and examples, consider these two arguments, and develop a claim about "Bartleby." In developing your claim, consider the story's narrative point of view.

Historical context:

Melville’s “Bartleby” is a story of conflict in the workplace--conflict between the desires of individuals and the demands of society. It also involves a specific conflict between a worker and his boss. During the time period in which “Bartleby” takes place, intense and far reaching social changes were happening in the American workplace. The story raises the question of what happens when an individual refuses to conform to the norms of that workplace, and it's monotony, boredom, and alienation.

Guidelines for passage selection:

In the coming weeks, we will be focusing on character, narrative point of view, and plot. As you read the story, circle any words & sentences that seem related to these questions:

Character:

• Who is the protagonist? Who is the antagonist? What does Bartleby represent as a figure? Why doesn’t the narrator fire him?

• The narrator and Bartleby seem like opposites—a classic case of protagonist and antagonist. How are they different/similar?

• Who are the minor characters? How are they differentiated from the major characters? Are they likable? Sympathetic?

• Who changes in the story? Who stays the same? Is this a story about growth and change, or failure to change?

Point of view and narration:

• Who tells the story? What is gained by telling the story from this perspective?

• Why don’t we see the story from Bartleby’s perspective? How might the story look from the vantage of one of the clerks?

• How does the point of view affect your responses to the characters? How is your response influenced by how much the narrator knows and how objective he or she is? First person narrators are not always trustworthy. It is up to you to determine what is the truth and what is not.

Helpful hints for the paper's structure:

For this paper--and many others!--the key is to develop supporting claims: several ways of showing that your main claim is true. (Example: MAIN CLAIM: "Fordham U should give every incoming student a free iPad. SUPPORTING CLAIMS: 1) iPads foster collaboration in the classroom; 2) in today's media society, students should be prepared to use technology in varied ways; 3) iPads are a good way for the university to streamline its communications, by having all members of the Fordham community on the same platform; 4) studies show that students with iPads tend to complete more reading; etc etc.)

So in developing your claim about whether Bartleby's passive resistance is effective or ineffective, you should begin by sketching out 3-4 supporting claims--ways of demonstrating your main claim--and then write a paragraph on each s.c. Each paragraph should have evidence and examples.

Background / Contexts

Names in Bartleby