Ananmaya Veerina
Dr. Drabman
English 3
14 October 2015
The Mind of the Passive Protestor Bartleby is the titular character of the novella, Bartleby the Scrivener, who in the beginning, is characterized as an aloof person, but is highly productive, yet this aspect changes during the story, when Bartleby suddenly starts a series of noncompliance with his employer, who is the narrator of the story. The narrator asks Bartleby to assist in examining copies, to which Bartleby responds, “ I would prefer not to” (Melville 21). Despite this seemingly brazen act of defiance, Bartleby states his preference politely and with calm authority, which stuns the narrator, as he does not expect an employee to give his personal opinion. With this act of negation,
Dr. Drabman
English 3
14 October 2015
The Mind of the Passive Protestor Bartleby is the titular character of the novella, Bartleby the Scrivener, who in the beginning, is characterized as an aloof person, but is highly productive, yet this aspect changes during the story, when Bartleby suddenly starts a series of noncompliance with his employer, who is the narrator of the story. The narrator asks Bartleby to assist in examining copies, to which Bartleby responds, “ I would prefer not to” (Melville 21). Despite this seemingly brazen act of defiance, Bartleby states his preference politely and with calm authority, which stuns the narrator, as he does not expect an employee to give his personal opinion. With this act of negation,