The New World Dictionary defines the word minority as "the lesser part or smaller number; less than half of a total." Over the years the word minority has taken on many meanings. Most common, minority refers to the differences in races of people. However, there are other possible meanings for the word minority as well. There are meanings such as defining people in terms of those who have and those who don't. Minority tends to take on a negative meaning, a stereotype if you will. For the case of this paper the word minority will be used in terms of power. Minority will refer to those who do not have the power and are under the control of someone who holds all the power.
Herman Melville's "Bartleby, the Scrivener" is a classical literary example of a person playing the role of a minority. In this story, Melville portrays five characters working in a law office. In a typical work situation there would be a boss and workers. There is no difference for this story's situation. However, this tale is told by a narrator who seems to believe his versions of events are the only versions that matter and it would be best suited for the reader to know more about him and what works best for him. The narrator and the boss seem to hold every bit of power in this office and defiance only makes him wish to exert this power over his employees even further. This is evident immediately, "Ere introducing the scrivener, as he first appeared to me, it is fit I make some mention of myself, my employees, my business, my chambers, and general surroundings; because some such description is indispensable to an adequate understanding of the chief character about to be presented" (Melville 1086). The narrator truly believes that it is his duty to tell the story of Bartleby, and only by giving you the background as he sees it would the story be a full evaluation of events.
At the beginning of the story the narrator begins to tell the story of his office.
