Bartleby Draft Essay

I prefer not to.

“At present I would prefer not to be a little reasonable” (Melville par 110). Oh that we could all say this when needed at our jobs and in the workplace. Bartleby had a point and a reasonable one at that. Bartleby is the hero of Melville’s story in his refusal to participate in a workplace that represents the sad, dreary atmosphere of a bureaucratic, industrialized society. In the pure essence of his being Bartleby refuses to participate in life in general the way those around him expect him to. 

Our society places a great deal of clout on being cheerfully industrious. Melville says “I should have been quite delighted with his application, had he been cheerfully industrious” (Melville par 18). But no he wasn’t “he wrote on silently, palely, mechanically” (Melville par 18). Bartleby is not nice or sweet, he doesn’t conform to societies expectations of what makes a person a good person. Melville even says later on “he means no mischief, it is plain he intends no insolence” (Melville par 53). Yet he lacks a cheerful institution and therefore he is unacceptable in his labors.

Bartleby also refuses to look and interact in a way that is approved by others. He is lean and long and white and gaunt, Melville even goes so far as to call him cadaverous. He is oblivious to everyone around him and doesn’t really care what people say about him. Ginger nut says “I think sir, he’s a little luny,” (Melville par 47). He is respectful and slow and mild in his speech. Yet, again Melville says “the passiveness of Bartleby sometimes irritates me” (Melville par 53). So although his is meek and mild, respectful in his speech and mannerisms Bartleby is not acceptable  because he doesn’t behave as others. 

“I prefer not to” (Melville par 81). He does what he prefers to and that is to copy. He is good at what he does and works very hard at it. “His steadiness his freedom from all dissipation, his incessant industry, his great stillness, his unalterableness of demeanor under all circumstances” (Melville par 84). At some point Bartleby decides he doesn’t’ want to copy anymore, maybe it’s the strain on his eyes maybe her just decides he prefers not to. He refuses to answer questions, he refuses to leave, and in the end he refuses to eat and continue on in this life. Up until the very end he does only what he prefers to.

What is expected of us as humans to be productive and acceptable in our society? Bartleby doesn’t succumb to the opinions of others. He carries on in his own mild and cadaverous way unnoticing and uncaring of his boss’s and coworker’s disapproval. He refuses to adhere to society’s standards of being cheerful all the time. Bartleby refuses to do what he prefers not to do. He stands by his choices up until the very end. When asked by Melville he gives us the question we should all ask ourselves “Do you not see the reason for yourself” ( Melville par 130).