Summary Of Bartleby The Scrivener

In his article, Mark Elliott argues his interpretation that Herman Melville’s, “Bartleby, the Scrivener,” is a story that is not meant to be understood and is open to interpretation by the reader. Elliott supports his argument by explaining Marx’s theory that the character, Bartleby was somewhat of a representation of Melville, and the hardships he faced trying to become a writer. Elliott also supports his claim by stating, “Bartleby functions in the story not as a character but as a symbol” (Elliott 1). Elliott gives evidence to this statement by showing parallel meanings to the symbols of Bartleby and the white whale from Melville’s, “Moby Dick”. Mark Elliott concluded his article by reaffirming there is no right or wrong interpretation of