How does the narrator rid himself of Bartleby?

The Inconvenient Employee: A Study on the Narrator’s Ways to Rid Himself of Bartleby

The classic American short story, "Bartleby, the Scrivener" by Herman Melville, presents a unique exploration of the intricate relationship between the narrator, Bartleby, and their employment dynamics. A central question in the narrative surrounds the narrator’s struggles to deal with Bartleby’s enigmatic behavior and inability to fulfill his work duties. So, how does the narrator rid himself of Bartleby?

Before diving into the analysis, it’s crucial to understand the context in which the narrative unfolds. The story is set in New York City in the 1840s and revolves around a wealthy lawyer who becomes Bartleby’s employer at his Wall Street office.

The Narrator’s Initial Frustration

From the onset, the narrator expresses his frustration about Bartleby’s peculiar conduct, stating that Bartleby’s behavior "was simply inexplicable." As days pass, Bartleby starts refusing to work on his writing tasks, consistently answering "I would not" or "I would prefer not to" when faced with specific requests. Despite this, the narrator opts for a rather passive solution, attempting to rationalize his employment relationship with Bartleby’s eccentricities.

Table: The Narrator’s Frustration Chronology

Layer’s Plan: Leaving Bartleby Behind

After several instances of Bartleby’s inoperability, the narrator, recognizing the impossibility of change within the confines of the small office, makes a bold decision to leave Bartleby behind, effectively ‘rid’ himself of the troublesome scrivener. In a pragmatic attempt to eliminate any potential financial and emotional liabilities, the narrator initiates the ‘Bartleby-free’ plan, planning to ‘move off’ to another building. Notably, Bartleby remains at the Wall Street location, setting the stage for the most significant plot developments.

Graph: The Narrator’s Decision

     +---------------+     +---------------+
     |  Existing  |     |  New Plans  |
     |  Office    |  --> |  Building A  |
     +---------------+     +---------------+
                    |               |
                    |  Remove  |       |  Accept  |
                    |  Bartleby  |  -->  |
                    |          |  Leave  
                    +---------------+

This drastic step leads to various consequences. Bartleby becomes disoriented due to the narrator’s abandonment, ultimately arriving at the Tombs, a miserable and inhospitable prison system, where his death occurs, leaving a trail of mystery behind.

The irony of circumstances highlights the unraveling consequences of the narrator’s actions: while seeking relief from a difficult employee, he inadvertently instigates the chain of events, indirectly responsible for Bartleby’s miserable fate. In Bartleby’s ultimate isolation, an echo of his previous reclusion is heard, mirroring the narrator’s attempt to rid himself of the unwanted responsibility.

In essence, the narrator’s decision, the layers of the novel’s meaning, Bartleby’s existential significance have led this intriguing exploration to an extraordinary literary work. We’ve shed light upon the ways in which the narrator attempts (or rather fails) to alleviate himself of the peculiar and unsettling Bartleby, culminating in the character’s poignant resignation to fate**.

Key takeaways:

• The narrator begins by tolerating Bartleby’s oddities, then later resorts to a passive emotional distancing.
• The narrator arrives at a pragmatic decision to ‘rid’ himself of the problematic employee.
• He plans to leave Bartleby behind in the hope of finding solace at a new office location, Building A.

The ending: a powerful symbol of the interdependence of two isolated characters underscores the novel’s commentary on power, identity, and the responsibility we take on for others.

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