Bartleby Scrivener Essay
A detailed Summary of Bartleby Scrivener Essay
In Herman Melville's "Bartleby the Scrivener," Melville questions the validity of property ownership in terms of dollars and cents. Through the actions of the lawyer and Bartleby, Melville portrays two contrary views concerning the importance of money in society. While the lawyer staunchly believes money is a commodity, assigning all materialistic things a dollar value, Bartleby indirectly implies his belief that money is merely a concept, openly disregarding and opposing its value and significance in society.
The lawyer regards money as an asset by which daily life is run and around which society functions. He treats money as a significant aspect of life, deserving much attention and consideration in business affairs. When a "very pleasantly remunerative...office of Master in Chancery" was suddenly "abrogated" from the lawyer, he found much cause to "lose my temper; much more...indulge in dangerous indignation." His anger towards the loss of money exemplifies the importance he places on materialistic commodities and hints at his financial approach towards life. Although the lawyer
t. His action supports his notion that money is a concept, having little worth and amounting to nothing in a worldly sense. He so firmly opposes money as a commodity and as a catalyst of property ownership that he continues exercising his belief even after his actions "violate the proprieties of the day." Bartleby persists in "occupying the entry after being dismissed from the office" and refuses to "quit the premises" after the lawyer himself changes offices. Bartleby's physical persistence and firmness in his actions are tangible methods of demonstrating his inner staunchness and determination and his earnest belief in his non-materialistic ethics. His disregard towards monetary practices leads him to behave in a manner exemplifying his beliefs.
In Melville's "Bartleby the Scrivener," the lawyer harbors the notion that money is a significant and essential aspect of society, while Bartleby openly disregards any importance pertaining to money, casting it aside as an unnecessary concept. Bartleby's physical behavior suits his indifferent view of money while the lawyer's pocketbook-based actions accompany his "Wal
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Approximate Word count = 759
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)
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