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Bartleby, the Scrivener

Originally published in 1853, Bartleby, the Scrivener, is a short story authored by Herman Melville, an American writer. It follows a successful lawyer in Wall Street that hires Bartleby to help ease the load of work that his law firm is experiencing. The Scrivener conducts his job well with skill until he earns the owner’s confidence. In writing the story, Melville addresses the issue of capitalism. Melville is trying to say that capitalism has the capacity to dehumanize workers and its stability is dependent upon the illusion that it is a merciless system. At the time of writing the story capitalism was rampant and affected Melville’s works. In my viewpoint, Melville makes a valid argument as capitalism is only meant to benefit a specific group (the rich) while infringing on the rights of the helpless by controlling factors of production.

To make his case about capitalism to his readers, Herman Melville employs various story elements such as comical and descriptive diction and the first-person point of view. Melville uses diction to communicate the narrator’s attitude to Bartleby. The diction is both funny and descriptive. For instance, he shows diction when he mocks the narrator and using his own words to expose his flaws. The first-person narration is evident throughout the text. It enables the reader to get to know Bartleby closely while at the same time leaving one confused. The readers encounter him through his employers eyes. Melville (20) writes, “I repeated my request in the clearest tone I could assume; but in quite as clear a one came the previous reply, “I would prefer not to.” He had just refused to take orders from his boss, who sat on his desk stunned at Bartleby’s reaction.

To some extent, I agree with Bartleby’s argument because I share similar viewpoints with him. I agree that capitalism does more harm than good and that if uncontrolled, it would not only dehumanize workers but also damage that cannot be repaired. Capitalism tends to be exploitative and unstable in nature and it infringes on human and economic rights. As such, I agree that it can be exploitative and dehumanizing on those that find themselves on the receiving edge. The character I relate to in Bartleby, the Scrivener is the lawyer because I have come across people who, like him, prefer the easiest path in life. His ways of dealing with adversity include taking bribe which is something common in society.

Works Cited

Melville, Herman. Bartleby the Scrivener—A Story of Wall-Street. Good Press, 2020.