... for humanity on a universal level. This story is appealing for its symbolism. This, in turn, functions as a commentary on society and the working world. Bartleby is a seemingly homeless, mentally disturbed scrivener who gives up on the prospect of living life and alienates himself from it. Bartleby embodies many -conflicts- of humanity such as mortality, alienation, and man's desire for peace. With these characteristics ... , the last line of this short story is very significant. As one of the "conflicts- embodied by Bartleby, mortality plays an unusual role. Death pervades in the story b...

• Word Count: 560
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

Bartleby, the scrivener, a sullen and depressed man who used to be of great help as a energetic, go getter copyist before he turned into a lack-luster lazy hermit, was a man of peculiarly odd behavior. Just as uncanny as his employees, the narrator exhibits unordinary and unreasonable behavior too, in his efforts to become famous among the bright lights of New York. As opposites attract, similar ... preoccupied his time so much that he could work. In the end he finally worried himself to death. Similar to how "extreme circumstances call for extreme actions-, unusual behavior causes unusual rea...

• Word Count: 576
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Bartleby the Scrivener Bartleby was a very interesting character. It is difficult to imagine being so alone in the world that you have to live where you work. Not only his behavior but the things he said made me uncomfortable. His words did not fit in with his plan to stay and live there. He even refused to continue the work he was hired to do. There was always ... and said in a very polite and pleasant manner that he would prefer not to. The more he would push the boss the more he found he could get a way with. Bartleby's behavior is not normal for a human. The way he entered the office for ...

• Word Count: 595
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School