Bartleby, the Scrivener: A Story of Wall-Street

Name: Bartleby, the Scrivener: A Story of Wall-Street
Author: Herman Melville

By Herman Melville

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American Literature Short Stories

About This Book

A retiring lawyer and office manager hires a quiet new copyist whose initial diligence gives way to a strange passive refusal to perform tasks. The clerk increasingly declines assignments with a repeated expression of preference not to, disrupting office routines and provoking the narrator's bewilderment, sympathy, and moral unease. Attempts to understand or help fail as the clerk withdraws further into immobility, exposing tensions of authority, compassion, and responsibility within a commercial workplace. The story traces the narrator's introspection about humane limits, social isolation, and the inscrutable inner life of an individual at odds with modern systems.

About the Author

Herman Melville

Herman Melville (1819-1891) was an American novelist, short story writer, and poet, renowned for his complex narratives and rich symbolism. He is best known for his masterpiece, "Moby Dick," a profound exploration of obsession and the human condition through the tale of Captain Ahab's pursuit of the elusive white whale. Melville's works often reflect his experiences at sea and delve into themes of identity, morality, and the nature of existence. Other notable works include "Bartleby, the Scrivener," which critiques the dehumanizing aspects of modern life, and "Billy Budd," a posthumously published novella that examines justice and innocence. His literary contributions have left a lasting impact on American literature.