The transcendentalist movement has had a considerable influence on authors, although many did not fully agree with some aspects of this ideology. One such writer is Herman Melville. His short story ‘Bartleby, the Scrivener: A Story of Wall Street’ will be my main focus in order to illustrate the transcendentalist impact on American literature. Emerson’s works will serve as points of reference to show in what ways Melville incorporated or objected to transcendentalist beliefs. Based on the context of early-nineteenth century capitalism overrunning America with its commerce, its industry, its science, its philosophy, its politics and its civil code, I will take into account the ethics of Wall Street that are central in my reading of ‘Bartleby,
