Bartleby the Scrivener Essay

Bartleby the Scrivener Essay

Bartleby the Scrivener Essay

"Bartleby the Scrivener" is a short story written by Herman Melville. The plot is based on the character Bartleby, an office worker who decides to stop doing his work. Bartleby is thrown in prison because he does not adapt to society's expectations. It is in prison where he dies a lonely man. The Story of "Bartleby the Scrivener" can be interpreted from a social, psychological and moral standpoint.
Bartleby teaches many lessons which are learned through his social status situation in the story. The main theme in this short story is that it is extremely hard to go against the grain in society especially during the middle 1800's. This becomes a major dilemma for Bartleby as he wards off everyday occurrences such as going to work. Bartleby is sent to prison and this becomes very hard for him because in his mind the only crime he has committed is being human. Another problem that haunts Bartleby is loneliness. By deciding not to work, he isolated himself from society just as much as society isolated themselves from Bartleby.
Many readers interpret "Bartleby the Scrivener" from a psychological mindset. The short story is very vague as to the mental stability of Bartleby....

To view the complete essay, you be registered.