Bartleby the Scrivener by Herman Melville and The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka are seemingly unrelated literary pieces upon first consideration. Delving deeper into the nature of the two protagonists, common themes become more apparent. These short stories convey themes of personal sacrifice, living a walled-in existence, and subscribing to the endless cycle of work with no personal gain. Gregor Samsa in The Metamorphosis works as a travelling salesman because his family owes a debt to the company. He is a dutiful employee; Gregor has never taken a day off work and has yet to be late for his shift. On a morning like any other, Gregor wakes up to catch his early train, although he soon discovers that he has turned into a cockroach. Gregor has
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As the story develops, the lawyer he is working for becomes disgruntled at his lack of compliance. Bartleby finds himself saying “I would prefer not to” (Melville, 488) more often than he is actually completing the tasks he is assigned- “Immediately, it occurred to me that my ears had deceived me, or Bartleby had entirely misunderstood my meaning…” (Melville, 485); Bartleby’s boss is confused as to why his hardest worker has suddenly become uncooperative. Soon after he begins to refuse work, Bartleby becomes even more stuck in his ways; refusing to leave the office, skipping meals, and eventually refusing to quit- “I surmised that for an indefinite period Bartleby must have ate, dressed, and slept in my office… (Melville, 490). Although one does not know if Bartleby has always been the quirky character he appears to be in this story, it is apparent that he has no life outside of work. Nonetheless, Bartleby, along with Gregor Samsa, have both given up their free will and personal enjoyment for the sake of their …show more content…
Bartleby literally walls himself in as he seems unable to live a normal life due to unknown circumstances and eventually will not venture into the outside world. This character shelters himself by living in his boss’ office without permission and never leaving to even have a meal- “…and holding the door ajar, the apparition of Bartleby appeared…saying quietly that he was sorry, but he was deeply engaged just then and-preferred not admitting me at present.” (Melville, 489). In the end of the story, Bartleby ends up in jail, furthering his life-long existence between four walls- “…the poor scrivener, when told that he must be conducted to the Tombs [‘halls of justice’], offered not the slightest obstacle…” (Melville,
As the story develops, the lawyer he is working for becomes disgruntled at his lack of compliance. Bartleby finds himself saying “I would prefer not to” (Melville, 488) more often than he is actually completing the tasks he is assigned- “Immediately, it occurred to me that my ears had deceived me, or Bartleby had entirely misunderstood my meaning…” (Melville, 485); Bartleby’s boss is confused as to why his hardest worker has suddenly become uncooperative. Soon after he begins to refuse work, Bartleby becomes even more stuck in his ways; refusing to leave the office, skipping meals, and eventually refusing to quit- “I surmised that for an indefinite period Bartleby must have ate, dressed, and slept in my office… (Melville, 490). Although one does not know if Bartleby has always been the quirky character he appears to be in this story, it is apparent that he has no life outside of work. Nonetheless, Bartleby, along with Gregor Samsa, have both given up their free will and personal enjoyment for the sake of their …show more content…
Bartleby literally walls himself in as he seems unable to live a normal life due to unknown circumstances and eventually will not venture into the outside world. This character shelters himself by living in his boss’ office without permission and never leaving to even have a meal- “…and holding the door ajar, the apparition of Bartleby appeared…saying quietly that he was sorry, but he was deeply engaged just then and-preferred not admitting me at present.” (Melville, 489). In the end of the story, Bartleby ends up in jail, furthering his life-long existence between four walls- “…the poor scrivener, when told that he must be conducted to the Tombs [‘halls of justice’], offered not the slightest obstacle…” (Melville,