Bartleby is a strange man. The narrator refers to Bartleby as a “pale” man many times in “Bartleby the Scrivener”: “that pale young scrivener, by the name of Bartleby” (par. 83). Melville’s story was published in 1853 and he alludes to Bartleby having an essence that is not human, and that essence is of a vampire. Bartleby is not a traditional vampire, having no desire to kill humans for his insatiable need for blood. A traditional vampire has certain characteristics: pale, dead, clean, glamour#, and neat. They also drink blood, require no sleep, are in good health, and often keep to themselves. In the story, Melville depicts The Scrivener as an awkward human being, but Bartleby is not human. Through subtle cues given by Melville throughout the story, Bartleby must be a vampire. Bartleby’s appearance is congruent with the physical characteristics of a vampire. The Scrivener is described as having gray eyes, pale face, small build, never ill, does not eat, and does not move outside of the narrators office: “I was quite sure he never visited any refectory or eating house” (par. 92). Bartleby was never seen eating food. He was seen eating ginger nuts, but never anything else. Vampires can eat food that humans do, but they ordinarily only require human blood. Although food does not hurt vampires, they can eat food if they so desire; it does not give them the nutrients that are needed to survive. No one in the story ever saw Bartleby eat or drink anything besides ginger nuts, which means that he does not require food, but something more nutritious. He could have possibly desired human blood. The Scrivener’s attributes shine through in some of the narrators comments: “[…] pallidly neat, pitiably respectable, incurably forlorn!” (pa... ... middle of paper ... ...e able to feed from any human because of the constant surveillance by guards, and knew that eventually he would meet his death there. The Scrivener completed his mission by not procuring the blood necessary to keep him alive. Bartleby knew well that he would not be able to feed, and consciously moved to the Egyptian masonry, where “The yard was entirely quiet [and] it was not accessible to the common prisoners” because he knew he was near his death. He wanted to die in peace and not allow anyone to get through into the masonry who might hinder his task. Bartleby is clearly given attributes that are not human. Many of the characteristics given by Melville to Bartleby coincide with the most recognizable vampire attributes. As depicted many times in the story, Bartleby is a “pale” man. Bartleby is also never seen eating food, and he is never seen sleeping on a bed.
Melville, Herman. "Bartleby the Scrivener." The Story and Its Writer. Ed. Ann Charters. Boston: St. Martin's, 1995: 513-539.
Bartleby, the Scrivener, a story of lawyer and scrivener, questions like: What is worth living for in the world? What does society to value or shape what it means to be successful or of worth in the world that is inhabited? This is done through various implications of Bartleby’s actions and responses, as well as the lawyer’s, and the descriptions and imagery of the environment.
In both “Bartleby, the Scrivener” and “Cathedral” the emotional distance between the narrators and characters serves to contrast and evolve the narrators as well as portray the characters as heroes. This emotional distance between characters narrows as the story progresses. It is because the distance between the narrator and the character is due to misunderstanding of each other. In both stories, the narrator was unable to fully understand the character because of their vast differences. The differences between the narrator and the character help to create a contrast between them.
Bartleby's state is further clarified by the symbolic use of the walls and the dead letter office described in the epilogue. First, throughout the story he is depicted time and again as facing and staring at a wall. Staring at a wall can mean ...
The most significant aspect touched upon in the both essays is isolation, but they differ in how each character deals with the issue. The isolation of the main character In Bartleby is revealed in his refusal to fulfill the routine work. Bartleby’s stated response to his employer’s request to do work was usually, “I prefer not to” (Melville, p302) Time and time again, Bartleby uttered those words without repercussion. His employer seemed unable to do anything. “But there was something about Bartleby that not only strangely disarmed me, but in a wonderful manner, touched and disconcerted me. I began to reason with him”. (Melville, p 303) Bartleby chose at every turn to seclude himself from society and life in general. Throughout the essay, we see first, Bartleby's unwavering preoccupation with his employment, followed by his decision ...
...ployer, and then he will be rudely treated, and perhaps driven forth miserably to starve”(p.8) Bartleby doesn’t want to be saved; Bartleby desires not to conform to the etiquette that the Lawyers society places upon him. Bartleby wins in the end because he goes to his death holding on to his convictions. Bartleby controlled the relationship to the end of it and beyond.
“ Ere introducing the scrivener, as he first appeared to me, it is fit I make some mention of myself, my employees, my business, my chambers, and general surroundings; (Bartleby, 2)” The narrator does not say I met Bartleby, but that Bartley appeared to him which might lead the reader to think of the lawyer as a man who has been in a profession of law for years and in this profession meeting individuals would be referred to an “appearance (Reed, 247).” This reinforces capitalist values because the lawyer is a wealthy man and he views his employees as appearances and not as human beings. The narrator also presents himself as an individual of higher rank, “ I am one of those unambitious lawyers who never addresses a jury, or in a way draws down public applause; but in the cool tranquillity of a snug retreat, do a snug business among rich men’s bonds and mortgages and title-deeds (Bartleby, 3).” In this quote, the narrator states that he works for “rich men’s bonds” and this shows the idea of wealth and capitalism. The narrator also refers to his work as a snug business and it seems the narrator is trying to say the he has a comfortable job. A steady job and a job that is surrounded by money and the wealthy. Capitalism is an economic system that requires knowledge in industry, investment, and ownership. Capitalism is a system in which the main goal is
Melville, Herman. “Bartleby, the Scrivener.” The Norton Anthology of American Literature. 8th ed. Nina Baym and Robert S. Levine. Vol. B. New York: Norton, 2012. 1483-1509. Print.
Throughout his tale, Bartleby spends time in the office of his workplace for an unrelenting amount of time grinding away as a scribe. However, whenever asked to help with an additional task, his only response is, “I would prefer not.” His boss and coworkers consider this response strange, because his fellow employees would never think to express their true feelings to their superiors. They believe that they must do what they are told with no questions asked. In addition to this, Bartleby’s work place is predominantly male. The only female mentioned within the story is the housekeeper, who “weekly scrubbed and daily swept and dusted [the office].” This shows how traits that are considered feminine by societal gender roles are not favored in Bartleby’s occupation, and when Bartleby expresses his
Perhaps it was fated that Bartleby must die in the manner he did. After all, the narrator consulted the eminent pre-destination theologians Priestley and Edwards, and admits to believing that Bartleby’s presence “had been all predestinated from eternity” and that “it was not for a mere mortal like [the narrator] to fathom” (167). Accepting the idea that Bartleby is a microcosm of the macrocosm, this would imply that change is inevitable.
When Van Helsing figured out what was happening to Lucy he told Dr. Seward and after Lucy passed away the men went to where she was buried and it had been weeks and her body. The sight they saw was “more radiant and beautiful than ever; and I could not believe that she was dead. The lips were red maybe redder than before” (Stoker 171). This line should that Lucy turned into a vampire because Dracula had been sucking her blood. Jonathan Harker was also a victim of Dracula’s games but he fought through his mental trauma with the help of his Wife, Mina. The rein of Dracula’s evil ways came to an end and although Lucy lost her future, all of her friends were finally safe from
His efforts though are fruitless because he was not able to get to Bartleby and never truly understood him, even in prison as the man eventually dies of starvation. Although after his death the lawyer does learn of Bartleby’s previous and listless job at a ‘Dead Letter Office’ which made the lawyer sympathize for him and wonder if that job is what made Bartleby so distant. Bartleby was a loner who distanced himself from everyone, even in death, he was aloof and never interacted with anyone which is not considered normal human behavior because humans are supposed to be social. This story went a little deeper and gave the idea of humanity as a whole being apathetic towards each other, because only the lawyer showed any sort of humane concern for Bartleby while the others cared less. Bartleby himself displayed apathetic behavior as he showed little to no care for how his behavior affected others or even himself. Outside in the world, many people who are stressed out and constantly working tend to only focus on themselves and have little to no care for other people most of the time. It’s another negative view on humanity, but at the same time it’s not that wrong, as society made by humans also makes others so busy and stuck in tedious schedules that they gradually become more jaded and some even become distant and
The story of Bartleby was a very interesting story open for many different interpretations. Melville does and excellent job building suspension towards different thoughts as to what caused Bartleby to become an emotionless incapable worker. Here is evidence throughout the story to reflect the kindheartedness of the narrator. After reading this work the last quote “Ah Bartleby, Ah humanity” stood out as a cry of sadness for failing to understand and further assist Bartleby. After the numerous attempts He describes himself an elder lawyer that has his own office with a total of four employees including Bartleby. The narrator takes the time to learn the qualities of each individual not just on a performance basis however, personally as well.
Overall Dracula has been a massive inspiration to how we see vampires today with the pale skin, dark hair, red lips and drinking blood. Dracula brought the concept of a vampire to life through the definition in his writing style and details in the description of an vampire. There were several living and written inspirations for his vampires in the story. Although todays vampire may have changed into a more human and less dangerous idea the same basis on what we think of vampires today is all originated from
The use of symbolism in “Bartleby, the Scrivener” displays Melville’s main arguments. Melville accomplishes his goal of criticizing capitalism, showing the worth of human life, and refusing to listen to his readers which could have made him a less renowned author. Bartleby was symbolized as a political hero, a figure of importance, and an orator for Melville; Therefore, a victor.