MELVILLE'S RADICAL RESISTANCE: THE METHOD AND MEANING OF BARTLEBY* KINGSLEY WIDMER Bartleby, !bt"tle# $T%e S&r"e(er, A St)ry )* Wall Street$ +-./0, 1a Mel"lle' *"rt l)(2 t)ry, )r ()ella3 Be&a!e )* "t 4ar5e# #e6art!re "( *)r4 a(# tyle *r)4 %" earl"er *"&t")(, a(# be&a!e )* "t a66are(t ("%"l"4, 4a(y *"(# "t a 6!77l"(2 1)r53 N)t !r6r""(2ly, t%ere*)re, 4!&% )* t%e &r"t"&al #"&!")( ee4 6erere "( e**)rt t) re4a5e t%" e("24at"& *able3 I !22et t%at 1e a&&e6t 4!&% )* t%e e("24a, e6e&"ally t%at )* t%e e(t"tl"(2 e(t"tl"(2 &%ara&ter &%ara&ter 1%) 6r)"#e 6r)"#e t%e !!al *)&! )* &)(te(t")(, &)(te(t")(, a(# 6!t t%e e46%a" )( Mel"lle' Mel"lle' #"ale&t"&3 Certa"(ly 6art )* t%e &%ar4 )* t%e tale &)4e *r)4 t%e * !")( )* &)4e#y a(# 6at%), a re!lt )* t%e !(re)lable a4b"2!"t"e )* t%e &%ara&ter )* Bartleby3 T%" $ab!r#"t$ t)(e ree(*)r&e t%e a!t%)r' tr!e t%e4e 1%"&%, I %all ar2!e, " ()t a( e86la(at")( )* Bartleby b!t a 9!t"*"&at")( )* %" re*!al, a ra#"&al re"ta(&e t) 4!&% )* Mel"lle' 1)rl#a(# )!r3 B!t *"rt t%e !!al 6er6le8e# ;!et")(: W%) " t%e tra(2e Bartleby< W%at "( %" &%ara&ter 4a5e %"4 $6re*er ()t t)$ #) a(yt%"(2 a(# eeryt%"(2< W%at #)e %e ta(# *)r< Bartleby 1a a 4yter")!ly 4yter")!ly e&&e(tr"& la1 &ler5, 1%) 6)l"tely re*!e# t) #) %" 1)r5, 6ererely re*!e# e"t%er t) 2"e rea)( )r t) leae, a(#, "( t%e e(#, *)rl)r(ly re*!e# t) 2) )( l""(23 B!t )(&e t%e rea#er atte46t t) &)(tr!&t a 6atter( )* &%ara&ter bey)(# t%ee 6are *a&t, t%e "(ter6retat")( be&)4e *)r&e#3 W"t% )4e a!t%)r, 1e *"(# a( "46l"&"t l)2"& by 1%"&% 1e 4ay a!4e a 6at a(# 6atter( *)r t%e &%ara&ter, b!t Mel"lle &are*!lly re9e&t t%" 6)"b"l"ty at t%& tart )* t%e t)ry: $Bartleby 1a )(e )* t%)e be"(2 )* 1%)4 1%)4 ()t%"(2 " a&erta"(able 3 3 3 3$ T%e #eel)64e(t )* t%e t)ry t)ry !bta(t"ate !bta(t"ate t%e tate4e(t3 T%!, Bartleby should re4a"( e("24at"& t) t%e rea#er a(# )!r atte(t")( %)!l# ()t *)&! )( e86la"("(2a(# e86la"("(2 a1ayt%" #e4a(# )( &)(&")!(e a(# &)(&"e(&e b!t )( %" "2("*"&a(&e3 H)1eer, e8a6erate# rea#er 1"t%)!t a tate *)r Mel"lle' a4b"2!"t"e atte46t t) 2"e t)) )l"# *le% t) t%e reerberat"(2 4eta6%y"&al ter4 1"t% 1%"&% Mel"lle #e&r"be t%e *"2!re$4ytery,$ $)l"t!#e,$ $*)rl)r((e,$ $6re*ere(&e,$ $1"ll,$ $6erere(e,$ a(# ) )(3 T%ee "46ly 4!t be ta5e( a *!(#a4e(tal &)(#"t")( )* e8"te(&e3 O!r )(ly &%)"&e " "( )!r re&)2("t")( )* t%e4 a(# )!r att"t!#e t)1ar# t%e43 Bartleby, t%e(, 4ay be bet !44ar"7e# !44ar"7e# "( %" )1( #el"2%t*!l a(# a# $I 6re*er ()t t)$= eeral #)7e( #)7e( t"4e re6eate#, t%" #"&)(&ert"(2 4"8t!re )* 6)l"te(e a(# #e*"a(&e, t%" !44ary 6%rae )* t%e 1%)le )* a ra#"&ally 6a"e re"ta(&e, " t%e 4a9)r re)(a(t 4)ral )* t%e tale, a(# )(e 1e %)!l# re*ra"( *r)4 !(#er4"("(23 Be*)re a(aly7"(2 )4e )* t%e re6ree(tat"e A4er"&a( *a"l!re )* re6)(e t) t%" 1ry rebell")( 1%"&% Mel"lle 6ree(t, 1e 4"2%t 2la(&e at )4e re6ree(tat"e &r"t"&al a)"#a(&e )* t%e "!e3 C)(*r)(te# 1"t% t%e e("24at"& a(# a4b"2!)!, )4e l))5 *)r a $5ey$ t) e&ret 4ea("(2 a(# 6!r6)e3 S) 1"t% 4a(y rea#er )* Bartleby. F)r e8a46le: C)!l# t%e t)ry be a 6!77le be&a!e t%e a!t%)r 1a &)ertly 1r"t"(2 ab)!t )4e)(e %e 5(e1< Mel"lle #"# %ae a( !(&leatt)r(ey 1"t% )**"&e "( t%e Wall Street #"tr"&t= %e al) %a# a *r"e(# 1%) 1)r5e# "( a la1 )**"&e a(# e(#e# "( a 4e(tal %)6"tal3 S!&% )!r&e )!r&e &erta"(ly &)!l# %ae 6r)"#e# a t"r"& a(# 6at%et"& 4ater"al *)r t%e tale, t%)!2% t%e )!r&e "(*)r4at")( %ar#ly e86la"( t%e 6e&!l"ar"t"e )* Bartleby )r t%e ar2!4e(t )* t%e (arrat)r3 A 6ree(te#, t%e t)ry ee4 *ar le relate# t) a(y !&% Wall Street a&t!al"t"e t%a( t) &erta"( re&!rre(t "(telle&t!al 6re)&&!6at")( )* Mel"lle3 F)r "(ta(&e, t%e &r"t"&"4 )* t%e be(e)le(tly rat")(al"7"(2 A4er"&a( a(# t%e 4et%)# )* elab)rately #eel)6"(2 a(# !(#er&!tt"(2 rat")(al"7at")(, a " *)!(# "( Benito Cereno, Cereno, %)1 a( "44e#"ate relea(&e t) Bartleby 1%"&% Bartleby 1%"&% Mel"lle' b")2ra6%y #)e ()t3
C)!l# Mel"lle %ae bee( #)"(2 a at"r"& t%)!2% abtra&te# 5et&% )* )4e *a4)! 6er)(< Seeral %ae bee( !22ete#, !&% a He(ry Da"# T%)rea!3 Bartleby' &)r(er )* t%e )**"&e " eeral t"4e &alle# a $%er4"ta2e,$ "t )&&!6a(t a $e2etar"a(,$ a(#, 4)t "46)rta(t, %e 6ra&t"&e $6a"e re"ta(&e3$ B!t )b")!ly ()t 4!&% )t%er "4"lar"ty t) t%e %er)1r"t"(2 )* Walden a(# Civil Disobedience &a( be *)!(# "( t%e 1"t%#ra1( a(# 1"ll*!lly "le(t Wall Street la1 &ler53 T%e &)46ar")( )* Bartleby a(# T%)rea! 6r)#!&e )(ly a 4"l#ly "(teret"(2 a)&"at")( )* "#ea a(# #)e ()t e86la"( )r "ll!4"(ate 4!&% )* t%e t)ry3 M)re *ar*et&%e# a(al)2"e, 6artly #e6e(#e(t )( &%)larly 5()1le#2e )* Mel"lle' rea#"(2, %ae bee( !22ete#3 Bartleby 2et ar")!ly #e&r"be# a a C%r"t"a( %er4"t )r a B!##%"t"& &)(te46lat"e )r a H"(#! a"(t3 +T%e 4)t a66r)6r"ate !&% *ree a)&"at")( 4"2%t 1ell be 1"t% a Ta)"t30 S"(&e al4)t any 6arab)l"& l"terary *"2!re &a( !22et some "4"lar"t"e 1"t% )4e 6art )r )t%er )* t%e 2reat rel"2")! y4b)l)2"e*)r t%at " 1%at t%ey are *)r!&% &)46ar")( !!ally #e6e(# 4)re )( t%e"r )1( "(2e(!"ty t%a( )( Mel"lle'3 A(# t%)!2% "t " a 6leaa(t lear(e# 2a4e, t%e #ra1"(2 )* 6arallel #)e ()t tell ! 4!&%3 L))e e;!"ale(t (e"t%er e86la"( ()r e86l"&ate3 Certa"(ly t%e 6arallel (ee# ()t be, a(# %ae ()t bee(, &)(*"(e# t) t%e )b")! 1)rl# rel"2")(3 Mel"lle' 6r)e re*le&t ()t )(ly b"t )* )r"e(tal 4yt%)l)2y a(# t%e B"blea(# 4)re "46)rta(tly, &e6t"&al rel"2")! 6%"l))6%y b!t al) t%e b!rle;!e %!4)r )* C%arle La4b, T%)4a Carlyle a(# C%arle D"&5e(, a4)(2 )t%er3 T) )4e rea#er, t%e alle2)r"&al 4a((er )* Bartleby !22et "(#ebte#(e t) t%e tale )* Ha1t%)r(e a(# >)e3 B!t a 4!&% &l)er er"e )* 6arallel &a( be *)!(#: t%e 6a"re# *"2!re +"&t"4 a(# rea)(er0, t%e )er1%el4"(2 "4a2e )* 4ela(&%)ly ")lat")(, t%e #"ale&t"& ab)!t *ree#)4 )* t%e 1"ll a(# *atea(# 4!&% ele%)1 4a9)r "4"lar"t"e t) &erta"( 1)r5 )* )(e Her4a( Mel"lle3 S) 6er%a6 1e %)!l# treat t%e ()ella a 6r"4ar"ly Mel"lle', a(# 6r"4ar"ly "tel*3 T%e *"2!re )* Bartleby 4ay 4)re 6r)*"tably be !e# a a )!r&e t%a( a t%e #er"at"e )* )t%er )!r&e: a( ar&%ety6al *"2!re )( 1%"&% t) bae &)46ar")(, t%e !lt"4ate 6a"e re"t)r 1%) a&r"*"&"ally #e*"e t%e &)(e(t")(al l"4"t a(# barr"er t) t%e a(("%"lat"(2 a1are(e )* l"*e3 T%e 4)t )*te( "("te# !6)( $5ey$ t) Bartleby #)e bae "tel* )( Mel"lle, b!t "( a rat%er re#!&t"e a!t)b")2ra6%"&al "#e(t"*"&at")(3 T%e l)2"& !!ally 2)e )4et%"(2 l"5e t%": Mel"lle 1a a *)rl)r( 1r"ter, e6e&"ally "(&e %" 6re")! a4b"t")! 1)r5 +t%e !(";!e MobyDic! a(# t%e 4!##le# "ierre# #"# ba#ly "( ear("(2 4)(ey a(# 6ra"e a(# !(#erta(#"(2= t%e *)rl)r( Bartleby 1a a &r"e(er a(# &r"e(er 1r"te +a&t!ally, t%ey )(ly &)6y0= "( !4, 1r"ter Bartleby " 1r"ter Mel"lle a(# e86ree t%e a!t%)r' e(e )* #e6a"r "( 4"#("(etee(t% &e(t!ry A4er"&a 1%"&% all)1e# l"ttle re&)2("t")( )r 6la&e t) a er")!a &r"t"&al a(# 6e"4"t"&art"t3 S)4e &r!#e 6)l"t"&al "#e)l)2"t a##, a66are(tly "(&e Bartleby " !bt"tle# $A St)ry )* Wall Street,$ t%at "t 4!t al) be a ( atta&5 )( A4er"&a( &a6"tal"4' 4"treat4e(t )* "(telle&t!al 1r"ter3 W"t%)!t 2)"(2 "(t) t%e 4er"t )* A4er"&a( treat4e(t )* "(telle&t!al a(# art"t +1%) )*te( ee4 t) be e8traa2a(tly re1ar#e# "* t%ey !"t t%e 6!r6)e )* &erta"( 4ar5et )r &l";!e0, Bartleby &erta"(ly #)e ()t 6r)"#e 4!&% )* a &ae a2a"(t Wall Street &a6"tal"t a(# A4er"&a( &)44er&"al"43 M)(ey, t%e (arrat)r re6eate#ly ()te, " ()t a( "!e *)r Bartleby3 Mel"lle' Wall Street #)e ()t ere "( "t later 6r)6a2a(#"t"& *!(&t")( a a( "4a2e )* *"(a(&"al 6)1er a(# 4a("6!lat")( b!t a a 4eta6%y"&al 4eta6%)r )* &)(*"(e4e(t a(# )* barr"er t) !(#erta(#"(23 Certa"(ly t%e 6l"2%t )* l)(ely a(# #r!#2"(2 &ler5 "(*)r4 t%e t)ry b!t t%ey, !(*)rt!(ately, are ()t 6e&!l"ar t) &a6"tal"4 a(# A4er"&a3 A a( e&)()4"& &r"t";!e, t%e ()ella 1)!l# )(ly 6r)"#e a( )r(ately )bt!e a(# "rrelea(t alle2)ry3 B!t t%at 4ay 1ell be t%e *a!lt )* t%)e 1%) "("t )( a rea#"(2 )* 6ara()"# a!t)b")2ra6%y3
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T%"(5"(2 )* a# a(# )l"tary Bartleby, t%e att)r(ey 4)e t%r)!2% 6"ty t) 4ela(&%)ly t) *ear t) re6!l")(3 T%at 6r)"#e a( a6t !44ary )* )!r *re;!e(t re6)(e t) "&t"4, 1%"&% e(# "( %)t"l"ty3 T%)!2% t%e (arrat)r ))( *all ba&5 "(t) %" !!al $6r!#e(t"al *eel"(2,$ %e %a bee( )( t%e t%re%)l# )* t%e 6e"4"t"& 5()1le#2e t%at %!4a( !**er"(2 " le t) be !(#ert))# "( ter4 )* $"(%ere(t el*"%(e$ t%a( a a 4)re *!(#a4e(tal $%)6ele(e3$ S!&% a1are(e $#";!al"*"e#$ t%e att)r(ey, *) r t%at #ay at leat, $*r)4 &%!r&%2)"(23$ T%e att)r(ey' rat")(al"ty re6eate#ly &)4e !6 a2a"(t )4et%"(2 t%at 2)e #ee6er, $)4e 6ara4)!(t &)("#erat")($ "( Bartleby' be%a")r t%at 4a5e %" #e("al $"rreer"ble3$ T%at 6ara4)!(t *)r&e " "(#""#!al (ill. "(2 %" *a(tat"& rat")(al"ty, t%e att)r(ey #ebate 1"t% %"4el* 1%y Bartleby a66are(tly !b"t )(ly )( t%e l"ttle &a5e &alle# $2"(2er (!t3$ T%ey are %)t a(# 6"&y, a(# Bartleby " a(yt%"(2 b!t3 T%ere*)re )(ly )4e tra(2e 6re*ere(&e &a( e86la"( "t3 B!t t%at e86la"( ()t%"(2 e8&e6t t%e 6r"4a&y )* 6re*ere(&e "tel*3 S) 1"t% Bartleby' $I 6re*er ()t t)3$ T) r"# %"4el* )* t%e "rrat")(al"ty )* 1"ll, t%e (arrat)r 6er!a"ely tell %" &)6y"t t) leae a(# 2e(er)!ly )**er %"4 a 6ree(t +later %e a#4"t t) %"4el* t%at "t 1a a $br"be$0 T%e( %e &)(2rat!late %"4el* )( %" $4aterly 4a(a2e4e(t$ "( 2ett"(2 r"# )* t%e $"(&!b!$ t%at #e*"e# %" #e&e(&y a(# rea)(3 $I a!4e# t%e 2r)!(# t%at #e6art %e 4!t3 3 3 3$ B!t %" l"ttle #e4)( 6re*er ()t t) leae3 De6erate, t%e rat")(al"t t%e( &arr"e %" &al&!late# #e&e(&y &)(trary t) *a&t= %e 1"ll *)r&e Bartleby t) leae by a!4"(2, "( *r)(t )* %"4, t%at %e %a le*t3 T) t%e !("(te(t")(ally %!4)r)! (arrat)r, $It 1a %ar#ly 6)"ble t%at Bartleby &)!l# 1"t%ta(# !&% a( a66l"&at")( )* t%e #)&tr"(e )* a!46t")(3$ B!t t%e 6erere "46 re6l"e, *)r t%e ee(tee(t% t"4e, $I 1)!l# 6re*er not t)3$ Or< a %e earl"er 6!t %" #e*"a(&e )* rea)( by 1"ll: $I 1)!l# 6re*er ()t t) be a l"ttle rea)(able3$ Bartleby, )* &)!re, %a &%)e( t%e r"2%t ta&t"& t) &)(*r)(t t%e att)r(ey, 1%) &a( (eer ;!"te a&t br!tally be&a!e )* t%e #"ar4"(2 $1)(#er*!l 4"l#(e$ )* %" &r"e(er3 A %a ()1 be&)4e a trate2"& re&)2("t")( "( 6r)tet 4)e4e(t, &""l #")be#"e(&e 6r)"#e a( e**e&t"e 1ay )* 4)ral &)(*r)(tat")( )* t%e 1)!l#be #e&e(t a(# rat")(al $l"beral$= a t%e att)r(ey ay, $()t%"(2 ) a22raate a( ear(et 6er)( a a 6a"e re"ta(&e3$ N)r &a( %e #"re&tly &all t%e 6)l"&e "(&e %e 4!t &la"4 t) a&t 1"t%"( t%e l"4"t )* t%e #e&e(t a(# rat")(al 4"(# +b!t %e &a( later let )4eb)#y ele &all t%e 6)l"&e t) %a!l Bartleby a1ay03 W%e( %" a!46t")( #) ()t 1)r5, t%e (arrat)r *all "(t) #e6a"r3 S) %e l))5 "(t) $E#1ar# )( t%e W"ll$ a(# $>r"etly )( Ne&e"ty3$ Bartleby, 1e ee, " the "(telle&t!al #"le44a )* t%e &""l"7e# (arrat)r 1%) 1"%e ()t t) &)(*r)(t rebell")! "rrat")(al"ty by 6er)(al #e&"")( b!t by b))5"% 4)ral l)2"&3 Lear(e# ar2!4e(t, )* &)!re, #) ()t a(1er t%e "!e "(&e t%e (arrat)r &)(&l!#e, *r)4 %" t%e)l)2"&al a(# &"e(t"*"& )!r&e, t%at %" &r"e(ertr)!ble $%a# bee( 6re#et"(e# *r)4 eter("ty3$ W"t% rel"2")! 4!2(e, %e #e&"#e t%at $Bartleby 1a b"llete# !6)( 4e *)r )4e 4yter")! 6!r6)e )* all 1"e >r)"#e(&e3$ >r)teta(t #eter4"("4 a(# 4)ral"ty, %)1eer, (eer a#e;!ately 4eet t%e )&"al "!e= be&a!e )* t%e )&"al 6re!re )* %" la1yer &)llea2!e, t%e (arrat)r e&a6e Bartleby a(# 4eta6%y"&al (e&e"ty by 4)"(2 t) a()t%er )**"&e a(# lea"(2 %" #e4)( be%"(#3 N)t )(ly #)e %e %)6e t) el"4"(ate $!&% 6erere(e!&% !(rea)(able(e,$ a(# t%e &)4"& &)(ta2")( "( 1%"&% eery)(e "( %" )**"&e ()1 tart t) $6re*er$ t%" )r t%at, b!t %e atte46t t) e&a6e a lar2er a1are(e: $>ree(t"4e(t )* tra(2e #"&)er"e %)ere# ar)!(# 4e3$ a 1"t% Mel"lle' )t%er a(t"%!4a( #e&e(t rat")(al"t, G)# a(# 4)ral"ty are )( %" "#e$4y &)(&"e(&e 9!t"*"e# 4e$b!t %e *ear t%e 6)"b"l"ty )* *"(#"(2 )!t 4)re )4"()! a(# ("%"l"t"& tr!t% ab)!t t%e !("ere3
T%! Bartleby " re4)e# *r)4 t%e )l# &%a4ber a a a2ra(t ee( ()1 t%e *a)r"te &at&%all la1 !e# a2a"(t 6r)tett%)!2%, a t%e att)r(ey &)(&l!#e "( %" %"lar")!ly 4et%)#"&al rea)("(2, Bartleby' *a!lt " t%at %e " ()t a2ra(t e()!2%3 T%e att)r(ey re4a"( )be"ely 6re)&&!6"e# 1"t% Bartleby a "* %e 1ere a e&ret 6art )* %"4el*3 S)4e rea#er, t%ere*)re, #e&r"be t%e tale a a t!#y "( $&%"7)6%re("a3$ >er%a6 4)re a66r)6r"ate %ere t%a( t%e &l"("&al &ate2)ry 1)!l# be t%e relate# l"terary 4)t"* )* $t%e #)!ble,$ 1%"&% al) a66ear "( )t%er 1)r5 )* Mel"lle' +Dela()Cere(), VereB!##, A%abI%4ael, et&303 T%e a!t%)r 6y&%)l)2"&ally 6l"t )r #)!ble %" &%ara&ter t) #ra4at"7e a( "(ter(al &)(*l"&t, a "( D)t)ye5y' $T%e D)!ble$ a(# C)(ra#' $T%e Se&ret S%arer3$ T%e *!")( )* t%e 6ra24at"&ally 4)ral att)r(ey a(# t%e 4!te#ly #e4)("& &r"e(er &a( be "e1e# a !&% a #)!ble3 I( t%" &)4e#y )* "(&)46re%e(")(, Bartleby' 6erere 1"ll ta5e t%e 4)#et, ee( #e&)r)!, ter4 a66r)6r"ate t) t%e rat")(al"7e# #e&e(&y )* t%e att)r(ey3 T%e &r"e(er 6r)"#e t%e &)46let"(2 ra2e t) t%e att)r(ey' 6r!#e(&e, t%e &)ert rebell")( t%at e(lar2e t%e att)r(ey' &)("&t")( t%at $t%e ea"et 1ay )* l"*e " t%e bet,$ t%e aert")( )* %!4a( &%)"&e a a2a"(t re6ree# $a!46t")(,$ a(# t%e *)rl)r( 6e"4"4 t) bala(&e A4er"&a( )6t"4"43 M)re )r(ately, 1e &a( rea# t%e $#)!bl"(2$ a a 2r)te;!e er")( )* t%e Fa!t t%e4e, )* t%e #!al"ty )* &)(&")!(e "( 1%"&% )(ly t%e 6"r"t )* (e2at")( &)(t"(!e t%e %!4a( tr""(23 T%e "4a2e )* t%e eer re"ta(t &ler5 &)46lete t%e %!4a( *!ll(e )* t%e eera#a6t"(2 att)r(ey3 F)r 1e 4!t real"7e t%at t%e att)r(ey l"terally #e4a(# %" 6a"r"(2 1"t% Bartleby3 T%)!2% )( t%e !r*a&e %)rr"*"e# by %" &ler5' #e*"a(&e, %e !##e(ly a&5()1le#2e: $I b!r(e# t) be rebelle# a2a"(t a2a"(3$ T%e #e4)( )* #e("al be&)4e (e&eary *)r eery 4a(' e8"te(&e3 Early "( t%e t)ry t%e att)r(ey be&)4e t%e "&t"4 )* %" "&t"4, reer"(2 r)le t) rea# %" )1( &)6y, l"(5"(2 a1ay *r)4 %" )1( #))r t%reate(e# "( %" )1( #ee6et *a"t%3 Yet %e &a(()t t)6 *r)4 try"(2 t) * "t Bartleby "(t) %" (arr)1ly &al&!late# a(# 1alle#"( &)(e(t")(3 At )(e 6)"(t %e be&)4e &)("(&e# t%at Bartleby 4!t be $#e4e(te#$= a "* t) &)(*"r4 t%" 9!#24e(t, Bartleby alt)2et%er 2"e !6 t%e &)6y"(2 1%"&% 6r)"#e#, !(t"l t%e(, t%e rat")(ale *)r 5ee6"(2 )( t%e )t%er1"e "(!b)r#"(ate &ler53 O* Bartleby' (e1 re*!al, t%e att)r(ey r"2%te)!ly #e4a(#: $A(# 1%at " t%e rea)(<$ Bartleby &))ly re6l"e, $D) y)! ()t ee t%e rea)( *)r y)!rel*<$ N)(e " el*e"#e(t b!t, 1"t% &)4"& ala&r"ty, t%e (arrat)r $"(ta(tly$ &)4e !6 1"t% a rea)( t) 9!t"*y t%e *a(tat"& be%a")r )* t%e *"2!re %e 9!t 6re")!ly #e()!(&e# a #e4e(te#3 He 5"(#ly #e&"#e t) a!4e t%at Bartleby 4!t %ae $te46)rar"ly "46a"re# %" "")($ by %" &)6y 1)r53 +Mel"lle, t%e b")2ra6%er tell !, %a# tr)!ble 1"t% %" )1( eye"2%t #!r"(2 %" 1r"t"(2, b!t t) t!r( *r)4 t%e &%ara&ter t) t%e a!t%)r %ere 1)!l# be t) &)(*!e t%e 4ea("(2 )* a( "4a2e 1"t% "t 6)"ble )!r&e3 0 T%e att)r(ey' rea)( *)r Bartleby' #e*"a(&e &)4e a 5"(#ly a(# l)2"&al= "t " al) t)tally !(!66)rte# by a(y *a&t )r aert")( a(# a66ear 6art"&!larly 2rat!"t)! at t%at 4)4e(t3 T%e #e&e(t rat")(al"t 1"ll %ae a( a!46t")( t%at 6r)6erly e86la"( a1ay )t%er1"e rebell")! be%a")r, () 4atter 1%at3 H)1eer, %)rtly later t%e att)r(ey a5 Bartleby t) #) )4et%"(2 ()t at all #e6e(#e(t )( %" eye3 T%e &r"e(er t"ll re*!e3 T%e( t%e (arrat)r %)6e*!lly 6)e t) Bartleby t%e 6)"b"l"ty )* %" #)"(2 &)6y"(2 )4et"4e "( t%e "(#e*"("te *!t!re 1%e( %" eye %)!l# be ()r4al3 Bartleby, t)tally "2()r"(2 t%e (arrat)r' 6r)**ere# rat")(al"7at")( *)r %" #e*"a(&e, "46ly re*!e *)r all t"4e t) &)6y3 A()t%er rea)( !6, a()t%er rea)( #)1(= t%e 6erere (e2at")( re4a"(, a(# ) #)e t%e 2!l* bet1ee( t%e (arrat)r' !t"l"tar"a( rea)("(2 a(# Bartleby' #e*"a(t &%))"(23
Let ! t!r( *r)4 t%e (arrat)r' rat")(al"4 t) %" &l)ely l"(5e# be(e)le(&e3 Bartleby% l"5e a()t%er 4"# ("(etee(t% &e(t!ry 2r)te;!e 4)()l)2!e ab)!t t%e "rrat")(al rebell")( )* a 6erere &ler5D)t)ye5y' )otes &rom nder+round4)&5 t%e 2reat E(l"2%te(4e(t %er"ta2e )* be(e)le(&e by 1ay )* rat")(al el* "(tereta *a)r"te A4er"&a( "#eal)2y3 N)t )(ly 1"ll 6r"ate el*"%(e be "(a#e;!ate t) 6r)#!&e 6!bl"& 2))#, t%e 1%)le 6y&%)l)2y " "(!**"&"e(t3 D)t)ye5y' &ler5 reeal t%at be%a")r " "(e86l"&able a(# *)rl)r(, a(# t%ere*)re ()t t) be &)46re%e(#e# by el*"(teret a(# be(e)le(&e3 Ab)l!t"t Bartleby, 1%) aert t%e *ree#)4 )* t%e 1"ll b!t #e("e "t a(y 6e&"*"& rea)( )r 4)ral al!e, la&5 all el*"%(e3 Re6eate#ly "( t%e t)ry t%e att)r(ey tr"!46%a(tly re)rt t) "(teret, t) )**er )* 4)(ey, better e46l)y4e(t, letter )* re&)44e(#at")(, trael, a %)4e, *r"e(#%"6a(y el*"% #e"re 1"t% 1%"&% t%e e(l"2%te(e# %!4a( 4"2%t be 4a("6!late#b!t Bartleby re4a"( !(a4e(able t) t%e &al&!l! )* el*"%(e3 Here t%e att)r(ey &a(()t #"&)er, a(# e86l)"t, t%e !e*!l el*"%(e, a %e #)e 1"t% %" )t%er &r"e(er3 S) %e 6r!#e(tly atte46t t) "(&)r6)rate t%e 6erere (e2at")( 1"t%"( %" !t"l"tar"a("4 by t%e 4)ral ba&5#))r3 A l)(2 a Bartleby, %)1eer "(!b)r#"(ate, 1"ll &)6y, t%e att)r(ey 1"ll bear 1"t% %"4 a(# #e4)(trate %" l"beral t)lera(&e )* t%e !(*)rt!(ate, a(# t%! $&%ea6ly 6r)#!&e a #el"&")! el*a66r)al$ )* $&)(&"e(&e3$ T%)e t%"(2 bey)(# )(e' &)(tr)l &a( t"ll ere *)r 4)ral el*a22ra(#"7e4e(t3 W%e( Bartleby re*!e ee( t) &)6y a(y4)re, t%e att)r(ey atte46t t%e bal4 )* rel"2")(3 He tay %" ra2e a2a"(t Bartleby by re&all"(2 a 6arab)l"& "t!at")(3 $I re4e4bere# t%e tra2e#y )* t%e !(*)rt!(ate A#a4 a(# t%e t"ll 4)re !(*)rt!(ate C)lt 3 3 3 a(# %)1 6))r C)lt, be"(2 #rea#*!lly "(&e(e# by A#a4, a(# "46r!#e(tly 6er4"tt"(2 %"4el* t) 2et 1"l#ly e8&"te#, 1a at !(a1are %!rr"e# "(t) %" *atal a&t3$ Mel"lle %ere ta5e a( a&t!al %)&5"(2 Ne1 Y)r5 4!r#er )* %" t"4e a(# !e "t t) &)4"&ally e86)e %" rat")(al"7"(2 att)r(ey3 N)t"&e %)1 t%e (arrat)r t!r( 4!r#er)! ra2e t) 4ere "46r!#e(&e3 T%" 4a( %a l)t all e(e )* t%e 6a")( )* l"*e3 T%e (arrat)r a## a t%e)l)2"&al 4)ral t) %" *able by re4e4ber"(2 $t%e #""(e "(9!(&t")(: 'A (e1 &)44a(#4e(t 2"e I !(t) y)!, t%at ye l)e )(e a()t%er'$ Here t%e B"bl"&al #ra4a )* l)e t) )er&)4e "( +$t%" )l# A#a4 )* ree(t4e(t,$ "( t%e att)r(ey' re#!&t")(0 &)4e )!t a &leer Wall Street 6r!#e(&e3 Ye, t%" "t 1a t%at ae# 4e3 A"#e *r)4 %"2%er &)("#erat")(, &%ar"ty )*te( )6erate a a atly 1"e a(# 6r!#e(t 6r"(&"6lea 2reat a*e2!ar# t) "t 6)e)r3 3 3 3 N) 4a(, t%at eer I %ear# )*, eer &)44"tte# a #"ab)l"&al 4!r#er *)r 1eet &%ar"ty' a5e3 Mere el*"(teret, t%e(, "* () better 4)t"e &a( be e(l"te#, %)!l# e6e&"ally 1"t% %"2%te46ere# 4e(, 6r)46t all be"(2 t) &%ar"ty a(# 6%"la(t%r)6y3 At a(y rate, !6)( t%e )&&a")( "( ;!et")(, I tr)e t) #r)1( 4y e8a6erate# *eel"(2 t)1ar# t%e &r"e(er by be(e)le(tly &)(tr!"(2 %" &)(#!&t3 >))r *ell)1, 6))r *ell)1, t%)!2%t I, %e #)('t 4ea( a(yt%"(2= a(# be"#e, %e %a ee( %ar# t"4e, a(# )!2%t t) be "(#!l2e#3 T%" 6aa2e 6r)"#e a 2))# e8a46le )* Mel"lle' &ra*ty 4)&5ery: t%e reeal"(2 $6r!#e(t$ a2a"(, t%e 4)ral"t"& el*&)(2rat!lat")(, t%e 6)46)!(e )* $be(e)le(tly &)(tr!"(2,$ t%e 6atr)("7"(2 a!46t")( )* e("r)(4e(tal &a!e +$%ar# t"4e$0, t%e &)(te46t!)! 6"ty +$6))r *ell)1, 6))r *ell)1 3 3 3 %e #)('t 4ea( a(yt%"(2$0, a(# t%e 1%)le ar2!4e(t *)r 4a5"(2 l)e a(# *)r2"e(e "(t) a )rt )* &%ea6 "(!ra(&e 6)l"&y3 G))#(e a $4ere el*"(teret$ reeal t%e )bt!e(e )* !&% rat")(al"ty a(# t%e br!tal"ty )* !&% #e&e(&y3 Yet )4et%"(2 ele %a %a66e(e# ar)!(# t%e %)##y rat")(al"7at")( a(# 6e!#)4)ral"ty )* t%" )l"# &"t"7e(3 F)r "( 6"te )* %" &)4*)rtable !t"l"tar"a("4, %e %a be&)4e #ee6ly "()le# 1"t% %" 6er6le8"(2 &r"e(er:
$tra(2e t) ayI t)re 4yel* a1ay *r)4 %"4 1%)4 I %a# ) l)(2e# t) be r"# )*3$ A(# t%)!2% %e %a 2)tte( a1ay, by 4)"(2 %" )**"&e a(# lett"(2 Bartleby be %a!le# )** t) 6r")(, %e 6er"t, 1"t% a( )## 4"8t!re )* 5"(#ly a(# )b&!rely 2!"lty &)(&er(, t) ""t Bartleby a(# )**er %"4 6r!#e(t &%ar"ty3 We (ee# ()t re%eare all %" trata2e4 )* br"be, a66eal t) el*"(teret a(# rat")(al"7e# &)(e(t")(al"ty, t) real"7e t%at, "( t%e"r &)4"& e8&e, )4et%"(2 ele a66ear3 F)r a e&)(#ary *eel"(2 #eel)6 "( t%e (arrat)r, ra(2"(2 *r)4 %" early re6)(e t) Bartleby a t%e 4)t $*)rl)r( )* %!4a("ty,$ t%r)!2% t%e "(ter4"tte(t re&)2("t")( )* a $&)44)($ %!4a("ty 1"t% %"4, t) a lar2er e(e )* "2("*"&a(t !**er"(23 I( %" ""t t) Bartleby "( 6r")(, t%e att)r(ey *"(# %"4 b)t% 4)re a#a4a(t a(# 4)re a&&!"(2 t%a( eer3 He re*!e t) eat, t) &%a(2e, t) a4el")rate %" *)rl)r((e()t t) 6re*er ()t t)3 Star"(2 at yet 4)re 1all, Bartleby ay t) t%at 4a( 1%) &)4*)rtably a&&e6t t%e 1alle#"( l"*e: $I 5()1 y)! 3 3 3 a(# I 1a(t ()t%"(2 t) ay t) y)!3$ Dee6ly 4)e# by !&% )l"tary re"ta(&e, t%e (arrat)r *eel Bartleby t) be )4e a&r"*"&"al *"2!re a4)(2t t%e t%"ee a(# 4!r#erer3 At Bartleby' *"(al #e("al, ly"(2 "( l)(ely #eat% a4"#t t%e E2y6t"a( 4a)(ry, t%e (arrat)r 6r)()!(&e t%e *"(al e6"ta6%: Bartleby lee6, %e ay, $W"t% 5"(2 a(# &)!(ell)r3$ T%e 6%rae 6r)bably &)4e *r)4 ?)b' rebell")! &!re +/30 )* a( !(9!t a(# "(e86l"&able &)4)3 W"t% !&% %e"2%te("(2 )* t%e #e*"a(t &r"e(er, t%e 4a9ety )* (e2at")( a(# t%e 1"#)4 )* #e*eat be&)4e !(4"ta5able t) t%e (arrat)r a(# t%e rea#er3 We 4!t &)("#er a2a"( t%e *"(al *ere(t 6ara2ra6% ab)!t Bartleby %a"(2 )(&e 1)r5e# "( t%e Dea# Letter )**"&e3 S)4e at!te rea#er *"(# "t t) be ba#ly a(t"&l"4a&t"&3 It )(&e 4)re $e86la"( a1ay$ Bartleby a t%e "&t"4 )* $%ar# t"4e$ a(# a# *)rt!(e, a(# ) &%ar"tably 6atr)("7e %"4 "( 4e4)ry3 A(# t%e *"(al e!l)2"t"& l"(e, !("eral"7"(2 t%e 4)ral )* *)rl)r((e, !22et %"2% V"&t)r"a( e(t"4e(t: $A%, Bartleby: A%, H!4a("ty:$ +A *a4)! &)(te46)rary A4er"&a( ()el"t )(&e t)l# 4e %e %a# 1r"tte( a "4"lar ()ella b!t %a# a)"#e# Mel"lle' $4"ta5e$ )* *)r2ett"(2 %" "r)("& t)(e a(# 4a5"(2 a e(t"4e(tal 2e(eral"ty30 S!rely t%ere %a bee( )4e 6re6arat")( *)r t%e &)(&l!#"(2 l"(e "( t%e (arrat)r' "(&rea"(2ly "46a")(e# "e1 )* Bartleby, "( 6"te )* %" &)4*)rtable a(# !t"l"tar"a( "#e)l)2y3 T%e %!4a("t"& beat"*"&at")( )* Bartleby, *)rl)r( a"(t )* #e*"a(&e, #)e ()t ")late )!r &!4!lat"e e(e )* t%e "4a2e3 A(# $%!4a("ty$ "( t%at lat l"(e 4!t %ae a "4"lar "2("*"&a(&e t) 1%at Mel"lle, a bel"eer "( t%e 6r)*!(#"ty )* #e*eat rat%er t%a( t%e A4er"&a( #rea4 )* !&&e, 1r)te "( a()t%er t)ry: $H!4a("ty, t%)! tr)(2 t%"(2, I 1)r%"6 t%ee, ()t "( t%e la!rele# "&t)r, b!t "( t%" a(;!"%e# )(e3$ B!t 1e 4!t al) re4e4ber t%at t%e *"(al e(t"4e(t are 6)5e( by t%e att)r(ey(arrat)r3 Bartleby a(#, by t%e att)r(ey' )1( e8te(")(, %!4a("ty, a66ear t) %" 1alle#"( a1are(e a e("24at"& #e*"a(&e a(# a #e*eat )* %" &)4*)rtable #)&tr"(e3 T%)!2% %e %a #ete&te# a1e)4e a(# a1*!l "2("*"&a(&e "( %" #e4)(, %e re4a"( t%e #e*e(#er )* A4er"&a( !t"l"ty a(# )6t"4"43 T%e att)r(ey' *"(al tate4e(t, t%ere*)re, t"ll "r)("&ally 4ar5 %" 4)ral"7"(2 a(# rat")(al"7"(2 *a"l!re t) !(#erta(# Bartleby, a lat e(t"4e(tal 2et!re )* t%e re6ree(tat"e A4er"&a( &)(*r)(te# 1"t% t%e ")lat")( )* %" *a"t%3 Are 1e t) ta5e t%e (arrat)r' 6re&e#"(2 #"&!")( a e(t"4e(tal"ty )r a "r)(y< A t%e att)r(ey "4a2"(e Bartleby "( t%e Dea# Letter )**"&e$*r)4 )!t t%e *)l#e# 6a6er t%e 6ale &ler5 ta5e a r"(2t%e *"(2er "t 1a 4ea(t *)r, 6er%a6, 4)!l#er "( t%e 2rae$%e " be"(2 4a!#l"(3 He " al) try"(2 t) e86la"( Bartleby a a "&t"4 )* %" e("r)(4e(t, 1%"&% 4!t 4" t%e 6)"(t3 T%" &)(t"(!e t%e 5"(#ly "(&)46re%e(")( )* t%e att)r(ey earl"er "( t%e t)ry a(# %" #!b")! ta&t"& *)r al"(2 %" &)(&"e(&e, 1"t% t%e "(#!l2e(&e "(
e(t"4e(tal"ty )b&!r"(2 a(y #ee6er "("2%t a(# re6)(e3 Ta5e( l"terally, t%e Dea# Letter )**"&e e86la"( a1ay, rat%er t%a( e86la"(, Bartleby' re*!al )* t%e (arrat)r' #ea#1all l"*e a(# al!e3 T%e e(#"(2 )* Bartleby &a( be rea# a e(t"4e(tal, t%)!2% "t t%e( be&)4e a *a"l!re "( t%e t)ry3 It &a(, 4)re a66r)6r"ately t) t%e ar2!4e(t )* t%e ()ella a a 1%)le, be rea# a Mel"lle' *"(al 4)&5ery )* bla(# &)(&")!(e3 >er%a6 1e %)!l# all)1 *)r )4e )* b)t%3 Mel"lle, el*4a#e a(# el*#)!bt"(2 &r"t"& )* )!r be(e)le(t rat")(al"4 a(# *a"t% "( &)4*)rtable a(# )6t"4"t"& 4a("6!lat")(, 4ay b)t% 6er&e"e a4b"2!"t"e %ere a(# *alter "( t%e43 T%ere*)re t%e e(# 4ay be e(t"4e(tally ba# b!t 4ay al) ere t%e t)ry a a *"(al "r)("& 6)"(t3 Certa"(ly t%e 4yt%)2ra6%er 1%) #e4)("&ally &reate# a 1%ale a lar2e a G)# #"# ()t 4a5e t%e ab!r#ly a"(te# Bartleby a 6r"4ar"ly a( "4a2e )* bat%), )r el*6"ty, t%)!2% )4e 4ay "("(!ate "tel*3 F)r, 4)t "46)rta(tly, Bartleby tell a t)ry )* 6a"e re"ta(&e, 1"t% t%e e46%a" )( re"ta(&e3 It " t%e &)(*e")( )* a #e&e(t, 6r!#e(t, rat")(al, l"beral 4a( 1%) *"(# "( %" &%a4ber )* &)(&")!(e t%e "(&)46re%e("ble, 6erere, "rrat")(al #e4)( )* #e("al, a(# )* %" )1( #e("e# %!4a("ty3 T%e att)r(ey atte46t t) e8)r&"e t%at rebell")! a(# "(*!r"at"(2 "4a2e 1"t% &)44)( e(e, a!t%)r"ty, !t"l"ty, le2al"4, t%e)l)2y, 6r!#e(&e, &%ar"ty, re"2(at")(, &a!al"ty, *l"2%t, rel"2")( a(#, at t%e e(#, e(t"4e(tal reere(&e3 B!t t%e 4ela(&%)ly e("24a, a(# t%e #ea# 1all a(# letter )* "(&)46re%e(")(, re4a"(3 T%e be(e)le(t rat")(al"t "( Mel"lle' 4)&5"(2 *able (eer really &)(*r)(t t%e 4ea("(2 )* Bartleby, (eer &%a(2e %" "e1 a(# 1ay )* l"*e3 T%e 4)#et #e4)( )* "rrat")(al a(# #e*"a(t 1"ll, %e 1%) e(#lely $6re*er ()t t)$ a&&e6t t%e ()r4at"e &)(#"t")( )* t%e )&"ety, ;!et")( all )* t%e &""l"7e# 6rete(e a(# t%e"r la1 a(# )r#er3 A(# "t " t%e (arrat)r, ()t Bartleby, 1"t% %" rat")(al"7"(2 a!46t")( a(# *a(tat"&ally t1"te# 6r!#e(t $2))#(e,$ 1%) e(# a t%e 6at%et"&ally ab!r# *"2!re3 T%e atte46t t) *)r&e be(e)le(t rat")(al"4 !6 a2a"(t t%e real"t"e )* )!r *)rl)r( a(# 1alle#"( &)44)( %!4a("ty 6r)"#e t%e lar2er 6!r6)e )* t%e tale3 Mel"lle a66r)6r"ately a66eal t) )!r &)(te46)rary e8"te(t"al"t t%"(5er be&a!e )* %" rea)(e# e86l)rat")( )* t%e "rrat")(al "t!at")( )* 4a(, t%e "("te(&e )( t%e #e*"("(2 )l"t!#e a(# ab!r#"ty a(# ()t%"(2(e 1e 4!t *a&e "* 1e are t) a&%"ee a!t%e(t"& a1are(e3 He e8alt t%e 6ererely %!4a( "( a( a4!"(2ly a# #e4a(# *)r a %er)"& %!4a("ty "( a 2r)te;!e !("ere3 T%e ar#)("& tyle )* Bartleby' $I 6re*er ()t t)$ &)(t"(!e t) !22et a( a66r)6r"ate re"ta(&e t) 4!&% )* t%e 1)rl#, a(# t) t%e rat")(al"7at")(, "( 1%"&% 1e re"#e3 SAN DIEGO STATE COLLEGE NOTES 3 I %ae #"&!e# re6ree(tat"e e8a46le )* t%e &%)larly &r"t"&"4 "( t%e ()te t) a( earl"er eay )( Mel"lleee 4y The Literary Rebel +Carb)(#ale, Ill3, .0, C%3 IVa(# ) 1"ll ()t re6eat t%e4 %ere3 My re&)("#erat")( *)&!e 6r"4ar"ly )( t%e "(ter6ret"e 6r)ble4 rat%er t%a( t%e &)44e(tar"e3 A re&e(t l"t )* t!#"e 4ay be *)!(# "( Bartleby the ,crivener , $A Mel"lle Sy46)"!4,$ e#3 H)1ar# >3 V"(&e(t +Ke(t, O%"), 0, 1%"&% al) &)(ta"( 4a(y e8a46le )* t%e )bt!e 1%"4y t%at #)4"(ate t%e &r"t"&al %"t)ry3 My br"e* &)46ar")( 1"t% Mel"lle' )t%er %)rt * "&t")( 6artly #e6e(# )( t%e a(alye "( 4y $T%e >er6le8"ty )* Mel"lle' Benito Cereno%- ,tudies in ,hort iction% VII +S6r"(2 -0= a(# $T%e >er6le8"ty )* Mel"lle' Billy Budd%- )ovel/ orum on iction% II +W"(ter -03
,tudies in the )ovel , )l3 , (!4ber +W"(ter 03 C)6yr"2%t by N)rt% Te8a State ("er"ty "( 3 Re6r"(te# by 6er4"")( )* t%e 6!bl"%er3
