finding the purpose in bartlebys the scrivaner
Matthew Daly
Professor Schaffer
Intro to Fiction
9/16/2013
Finding the Purpose to Batrleby the Scrivener “I am a man who, from his youth upward, has been filled with a profound conviction that the easiest way of life is the best” (Melville 1086). From the very beginning of the story Herman Melville is giving us a direct insight to the life of the narrator. Though one could also say that by doing this the author is giving us a layout for properly understanding the purpose to the mysterious character of Bartleby. One could say this story represents the limitations of our lives and the futility of our existence. Through examination of text, and an in depth look at the relationship between characters and several different points made in the story, one should be able to get a better understanding of Melville’s intent. When we first meet the character of Bartleby he is surrounded by dark and gloomy walls, and is of the dreariest type of men. Though one could ponder the idea of a doppelganger in the manner of relating the narrator to this character. The narrator in his office immediately separates Bartleby from himself. The narrator says “I procured a high green folding screen, which might entirely isolate Bartleby from my sight, though not remove him from my voice” (Melville 1090). Bartleby is surrounded by walls all around him, and he is looking directly into a window that has a view obscured by scaffolding. This is where one can start to find the correlation between the two characters, also this is where one could see the setting of the story provides much of the backdrop needed for a proper analysis. Melville on page 1086 describes his office as “No. Wall street”. On the same page he then describes how at one end of the office there was a white shining light that would have been very lovely. Though it was being obstructed by a brick building that was placed within 10 feet from his window sill. All of these positive possibilities are being blundered by
Professor Schaffer
Intro to Fiction
9/16/2013
Finding the Purpose to Batrleby the Scrivener “I am a man who, from his youth upward, has been filled with a profound conviction that the easiest way of life is the best” (Melville 1086). From the very beginning of the story Herman Melville is giving us a direct insight to the life of the narrator. Though one could also say that by doing this the author is giving us a layout for properly understanding the purpose to the mysterious character of Bartleby. One could say this story represents the limitations of our lives and the futility of our existence. Through examination of text, and an in depth look at the relationship between characters and several different points made in the story, one should be able to get a better understanding of Melville’s intent. When we first meet the character of Bartleby he is surrounded by dark and gloomy walls, and is of the dreariest type of men. Though one could ponder the idea of a doppelganger in the manner of relating the narrator to this character. The narrator in his office immediately separates Bartleby from himself. The narrator says “I procured a high green folding screen, which might entirely isolate Bartleby from my sight, though not remove him from my voice” (Melville 1090). Bartleby is surrounded by walls all around him, and he is looking directly into a window that has a view obscured by scaffolding. This is where one can start to find the correlation between the two characters, also this is where one could see the setting of the story provides much of the backdrop needed for a proper analysis. Melville on page 1086 describes his office as “No. Wall street”. On the same page he then describes how at one end of the office there was a white shining light that would have been very lovely. Though it was being obstructed by a brick building that was placed within 10 feet from his window sill. All of these positive possibilities are being blundered by