Bartleby, The Scrivener: A Story Of Wall-Street

Summary

"Bartleby, the Scrivener: A Story of Wall-Street" is a novella written by Herman Melville, first published in 1853. The story is a poignant exploration of the dehumanizing effects of modern capitalism and the isolation that can result from the mechanization of work. The novella is narrated by an unnamed Wall Street lawyer who hires a scrivener named Bartleby to copy legal documents. Initially, Bartleby is diligent and efficient, but over time, he starts responding to requests with the phrase "I would prefer not to." This passive resistance leads to a series of confrontations and ultimately to Bartleby's refusal to do any work at all. The lawyer is both fascinated and perplexed by Bartleby's behavior, and the story explores themes of alienation, conformity, and the dehumanizing nature of modern office life.