The key line in Bartleby written by Herman Melville is in the end of the story “Ah Bartleby, Ah Humanity.” (Pg 1853) It indicates that Bartleby stands as a symbol for humanity. This in turn functions as a commentary on society and the working world, for Bartleby is a seemingly homeless, mentally disturbed scrivener who gives up on the prospect of living life. However, by doing so Bartleby is attempting to exercise his freewill, for he would “prefer not to” work. His relationship to the narrator is thus significant, for as he attempts to exercise his freewill he is breaking from the will of the narrator and the normal progression of life. This attempt to exercise his freewill and individuality to break loose from the confines of typical societal functions, isolates Bartleby from society, which in turn places him in a state of depression and soon there after, death. Ultimately, by having Bartleby “prefer not to,” Melville is commenting on the role of individuals in the work force as well as in socie

ty. If man attempts to break free of his role and exercise his own freewill then he is severing himself from humanity, which in turn will lead to depression and perhaps death, for he will have nothing but a wall always obstructing him. From the beginning Bartleby is isolated within the confines of his work place. “I procured a high green folding screen, which might entirely isolate Bartleby from my sight, though not remove him from my voice.” (Pg 982) In this quotation the narrator puts up a screen to separate his office from Bartleby’s, which isolates him from the other members of the staff, which thus isolates him from humanity. However, this is not the end of the isolation for he is not only detached from those around him, but society as well.

This statement is an essential issue in society and constant mind frame of the mother. Paul’s uncle Oscar represents selfishness. He is well aware of the family’s situation and never does he offer to help by giving them money or by helping manage the money they do have. He knows of Paul’s gambling almost from the start. He as the adult does not stop his nephew but instead becomes Paul’s bookie and helps him place the bets. He uses Paul for his own personal financial gain, and at the same time, helps Paul hide the fact from his mother. At the end of the story, when Paul drives himself into a brain fever, Oscar shows no concern for his nephew in an unconscious sate, just as long as he knows the winner. Paul is an i

Some topics in this essay:
Ultimately Bartleby, Paul Pg, Lawrence Paul, Humanity” Pg, Consequently Bartleby, Rocking-Horse Winner”, DH Lawrence, DH Lawrence’s, Herman Melville’s, exercise freewill, Herman Melville, attempt exercise freewill, scrivener” dh lawrence’s, money” pg, greed selfishness, individual opposed, stories emphasize, attempt exercise, “the rocking-horse winner”, “prefer to”, lawrence’s “the rocking-horse, story paul, dh lawrence’s “the, tells paul, pg 890,