Bartleby The Scrivener Essay

Throughout the story “Bartleby, the Scrivener” by Herman Melville, the reader is taken through the workplace of the narrator. In this story, the reader follows the story told by a lawyer who runs his own business. Melville writes this story all from the lawyer’s perspective, and it provides an interesting insight into the world. Focusing closely on this, it can be shown that this perspective assists in the criticism of how consuming the workplace can be to the point that even family is affected. This is done by the attention to detail that is provided about the workers, the emphasis placed on understanding Bartleby, and the lack of information the narrator provides about himself. As the reader follows the narrator, it is shown how he interacts …show more content…
Being that this story is written in first person, the reader is able to see descriptions fully from the narrator’s perspective. The striking amount of detail that the narrator puts into describing his workers Turkey, Nippers, Ginger Nut, and even Bartleby emphasizes the importance of what they can represent. When Turkey is described, the reader sees a bit of a temper that can best be connected to an alcoholic. “It blazed like a grate full of Christmas coals,” (607) was a description used by the narrator to describe Turkey when he gets into his moods. This vice of Turkey further ties into the vices of business. It should also be noted though that the narrator overlooks these flaws that are found. Whether it is Turkey’s sloppy ways or Nippers moods, the narrator justifies keeping them. Turkey is “a most valuable person” (608), and Nippers “was a very useful man” (609). He feels more of a connection to his workers, and he is willing to overlook their flaws. The narrator even calls Ginger Nut a “promising lad” (607). The narrator is shows here that he is able to look over these flaws, and in noticing these peculiar nicknames, it almost shows more of a family setting that is starting to