Lecture Notes: Bartleby the Scrivener – A Story of Wall Street

Introduction

• Hosts: Oona and Crypto from the Codex Cantina
• Approach: Conversational breakdown of literature
• Focus: Herman Melville's "Bartleby the Scrivener"

Publication Details

• Published anonymously in 1853 in Putnam Magazine
• Melville's previous works ("Moby Dick" and "Billy Budd") were not well-received
• Anonymous publication to avoid bias and secure income

Story Overview

• Setting: Wall Street, New York
• Narrator: A successful lawyer
• Main Characters:
  • Bartleby: the new scrivener (law copyist)
  • Three clerks: each with unique quirks
  • Narrator: struggles with Bartleby's behavior
• Plot Summary:
  • Bartleby initially works efficiently but soon refuses tasks
  • His constant response: "I would prefer not to"
  • Narrator struggles to understand and manage Bartleby's refusal to work
  • Bartleby is eventually left behind as the office moves
  • Arrested and taken to the "Tombs," he continues to refuse interaction
  • Dies in jail; story ends with narrator's reflection, "Ah Bartleby! Ah humanity!"

Themes and Analysis

• Humor and Seriousness:

  • The story blends comedic elements with serious themes of work and society
  • Bartleby’s passive resistance generates humor and curiosity

• Historical Context:

  • Reflects the shift from agrarian to industrial society
  • Wall Street as a symbol of economic change and its impact on individuals

• Narrative Interpretation:

  • Story is about the narrator's journey, not just Bartleby
  • Commentary on societal change and personal growth

• Character Analysis:

  • Bartleby's refusal symbolizes civil disobedience or protest against monotonous life
  • Narrator’s inability to make decisions reflects the constraints of societal roles
  • Criticism on Melville's own experience as a writer wanting recognition

Symbolism and Literary Devices

• Death Imagery:

  • Bartleby’s "dead wall reveries"
  • Frequent descriptions of characters and settings using death-related terms

• Religious References:

  • Allusions to the Book of Job, symbolizing suffering and existential questioning
  • Bartleby parallels Job’s silence and protest

Final Thoughts

• The story challenges readers to reflect on societal roles and personal autonomy
• Encourages introspection on the meaning of work and human connection
• Hosts recommend reading for its humor and depth

Discussion Prompt

• What lessons can be taken from Bartleby’s story?
• How does "Bartleby the Scrivener" relate to modern work culture?

These notes provide a comprehensive overview of the lecture, capturing the key points and thematic discussions of "Bartleby the Scrivener." They serve as a useful reference for understanding the story's context, characters, and underlying messages.