Bartleby the Scrivener

Misunderstood

Bartleby appears to be a seemingly frustrating and powerless character to the reader, but actually holds power over those around him. I think Bartleby is a beacon for civil disobedience (def. the refusal to comply with certain laws or to pay taxes and fines, as a peaceful form of political protest.) showing that by choosing to live your life the way you want to and not how you are forced to shakes up society. This is because we are so used to trying to being the “norm” and doing what we are “supposed” to in life. It appeared that the boss had power over Bartleby when in reality he had none, which I think is similar to we think today: “We don’t have a voice and can’t do anything that will actually make a difference.” I disagree, because we can. My opinion is that we should break some of the orders of society that discriminate or favor a type of people and encourage others to live the way they want to, because they have more power than they think. People are bound by their own limitations, but if we just have the courage or will, like Bartleby, to voice our opinions and actions, something can be done.

Even though Bartleby’s simple and strangely polite response of, “I’d prefer not you” does not directly reveal his rebellion or anger, his words speaks louder than his actions. Many of those around him, including the boss and his co-workers appear to be under his control by letting their emotions get the best of them. The boss feels drawn to him and keeps making excuses for him until finally he almost goes a bit crazy. This also applies to today’s society because many people feel emotionally compelled to certain people around them, but you don’t have to be. You need to know that you don’t “belong” to anyone and don’t have to depend on anyone to be able to live your life.

In the story I believe the boss represents the majority and Bartleby represents the minority, which to me is exciting because the whole story is focused on how much someone can change the rules of society by doing something as little as living their lives the way they want to. I believe our society needs more of this kind of “spark” and courage to be different. This leads into the theme of utilitarianism (def. the doctrine that actions are right if they are useful or for the benefit of a majority) In this story this connects to the boss. He is always working around Bartleby and believing his actions are for the best of those around him and for himself. I think he was going about it the wrong way and cold have worked more with Bartleby instead of assuming he was the “crazy” one and himself, the boss, was the right/sane person in the situation. I really don’t like how our society is often telling us to do something or live a certain way, because it will benefit certain people or is for “the greater good.” We should be able to live our lives without being as controlled and without expectations to “do this” and “do that.”

Overall, Bartleby is an interesting character, but important all the same. Although he really challenged my patience and annoyed me at times, he also made me think and take a new perspective on our society and those living in it. I think Bartleby was very misunderstood in this story. Bartleby had not performed any physical actions and still had the power over those around him. I believe in today’s society our ignorance to believe we are better than others creates this gap and we often misjudge a person by their obvious appearance and not their true selves or intentions. When instead we should take the time to learn the truth about those around us and not give up when we don’t get the exact response we want from them. The biggest thing I took away from this story is that often our eyes deceive us and we see only what we want to and not what needs to be seen.