Why Did the Lawyer Hire Bartleby? Unraveling the Mystery
The seemingly simple act of hiring in Herman Melville’s “Bartleby, the Scrivener” is far more complex than it first appears. The lawyer, who narrates the story, doesn’t hire Bartleby solely out of a need for extra hands. Rather, his decision is driven by a mixture of practicality, misplaced optimism, and a profound misjudgment of Bartleby’s character. The core reason the Lawyer hires Bartleby is that he believes Bartleby’s “singularly sedate” nature might be the key to bringing calm to his chaotic office, particularly the erratic behaviors of his other two scriveners, Turkey and Nippers. This motivation, layered with the lawyer’s general sense of needing additional help, sets the stage for the unfolding drama.
The Practical Need for Another Scrivener
Overwhelmed by Work
Initially, the lawyer’s decision to hire Bartleby stems from a purely practical need. His existing staff, consisting of the temperamental Turkey, the perpetually aggravated Nippers, and the young errand boy Ginger Nut, are proving insufficient to handle the volume of work. The law firm is busy, and the lawyer requires another copyist or scrivener to handle the increasing workload. This immediate need creates an opportunity for Bartleby to enter the scene. The lawyer acknowledges his business is expanding and requires more hands on deck.
A Hope for Order
However, the need for extra help is intertwined with the lawyer’s desire for a more harmonious work environment. He is particularly bothered by the mood swings of Turkey and Nippers. Turkey is productive in the mornings but becomes erratic in the afternoons, while Nippers is the opposite. The lawyer is seeking someone who can offer a consistent and reliable presence. The description of Bartleby as “sedate” appeals to him; he perceives this calmness as a counterbalance to the unpredictable natures of his existing scriveners. He believes Bartleby might be the stabilizing force he so desperately needs.
The Initial Impression of Bartleby
Quiet Efficiency
Upon Bartleby’s arrival, the lawyer’s expectations are seemingly met. Initially, Bartleby proves to be an extremely diligent worker. He carries out his tasks with quiet efficiency and great output. He works diligently, often well into the night, producing a significant amount of work. This reinforces the lawyer’s initial impression that he made the right choice. Bartleby’s initial productivity further solidifies the lawyer’s view of him as a reliable and invaluable asset, making him hesitant to question Bartleby’s methods and behaviors later on.
A Misguided Belief
The lawyer is also swayed by Bartleby’s apparent lack of demands. Bartleby is content to work silently and without any fanfare. This contrasts sharply with the needs and complaints of Turkey and Nippers. In the beginning, the lawyer interprets Bartleby’s silence and passivity as signs of his good character and work ethic. He sees this as a desirable trait, something he believes will contribute to the overall efficiency of the firm. However, this misjudgment of Bartleby’s temperament and character contributes to the eventual tragic unfolding of events. This is based upon surface appearances and not real knowledge of Bartleby’s character.
Unveiling Bartleby’s True Nature
The “Prefer Not To” Phrase
The lawyer’s initial perception of Bartleby is shattered when Bartleby first utters the now-famous phrase, “I would prefer not to.” This refusal to examine a document creates a significant turning point in the story. It exposes the underlying complexity of Bartleby’s character, a complexity that the lawyer failed to recognize in his initial assessment. The lawyer’s focus on Bartleby’s sedateness blinds him to the possibility that this might also be an expression of extreme passivity.
A Descent into Passivity
As Bartleby’s passivity increases, the lawyer finds himself in a bizarre situation where he is unable to dismiss the scrivener. He is confused by his inability to act in a decisive manner and get rid of Bartleby. The story shifts from a workplace scenario to an exploration of human psychology and the limits of understanding. In hindsight, Bartleby’s initial calmness and unquestioning obedience were merely the calm before the storm. This calm ultimately is a reflection of a deeper resistance.
The Lawyer’s Compulsion to Keep Bartleby
Not a Villain
Despite Bartleby’s increasingly bizarre behavior, the lawyer is unable to fire him. Instead, he finds himself increasingly compelled to try and understand Bartleby. He is more frustrated than angry, as he recognizes a fundamental humanity, even if he cannot understand its workings. This reflects the lawyer’s own nature – he is a generally kind man who, despite his business acumen, struggles to understand the deeper complexities of human behavior.
A Moral Struggle
The lawyer becomes increasingly involved in Bartleby’s life, ultimately allowing the scrivener to stay despite his lack of productivity. The lawyer’s inability to act decisively or be forceful about firing Bartleby is a key point in the narrative. It shows the limitations of reason and pragmatism when confronted with a deeply troubled human being. This moral struggle highlights the lawyer’s internal conflicts and his growing awareness of his own limitations.
In conclusion, the lawyer hires Bartleby not simply out of a need for an extra pair of hands, but also out of a hope for stability and order in his chaotic office. However, this decision, rooted in a misunderstanding of Bartleby’s character, leads to a profound exploration of passivity, isolation, and the limitations of human understanding. It was a decision driven by a need for practicality but also influenced by a desperate wish for a more predictable work environment.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the job of a scrivener?
A scrivener is a person who works as a copyist, often writing documents by hand. In the context of the story, scriveners are responsible for copying legal documents.
2. Why is the Lawyer so frustrated with Bartleby’s behavior?
The Lawyer is frustrated because Bartleby’s passive resistance disrupts the established order of his business and challenges his ability to manage his staff. The lawyer cannot understand why Bartleby continues to refuse to work.
3. How does the lawyer’s attitude toward Bartleby change over time?
Initially, the Lawyer sees Bartleby as a positive addition, someone who is calm and reliable. Over time, his attitude changes from confusion and frustration to sympathy and a sense of responsibility.
4. Is Bartleby a villain in the story?
No, Bartleby is not a villain. He is a character who is more likely struggling with his own isolation and mental issues, and expressing it through his passive resistance. He acts as a secondary antagonist, not a villain.
5. Why does Bartleby say “I would prefer not to?”
Bartleby’s phrase “I would prefer not to” is a sign of his passive resistance to work and life’s demands. It is not clear what is the exact reason that drives him to say so, only that it is a powerful form of protest.
6. Does the Lawyer ever fire Bartleby?
No, the Lawyer does not fire Bartleby. He tries various other methods to get Bartleby to leave, including trying to bribe him. He ultimately moves his office to escape the situation.
7. What is the significance of Bartleby’s refusal to eat?
Bartleby’s refusal to eat is a sign of his extreme passivity and self-imposed isolation. It represents his complete rejection of the demands and expectations of life.
8. What is the main theme of “Bartleby, the Scrivener”?
The main themes are isolation, passivity, the failure of communication, and the dehumanizing effects of capitalism.
9. What is the allegorical interpretation of “Bartleby, the Scrivener”?
The story is an allegory of the limits of human understanding and the struggle against conformity and the demands of the modern world.
10. What does the ending “Ah humanity!” mean?
The last line of the story expresses the narrator’s lament for the tragic conditions of humanity and the dehumanizing aspects of modern life.
11. Why does the narrator see himself in Bartleby?
The narrator sees a reflection of his own internal conflicts and limitations in Bartleby’s behavior. He also projects his own fears and anxieties onto Bartleby.
12. What is the Marxist analysis of “Bartleby, the Scrivener”?
From a Marxist perspective, Bartleby represents the alienated worker under capitalism who is reduced to a cog in the machine and ultimately destroyed by the system.
13. Is Bartleby’s behavior a sign of mental illness?
Some interpretations suggest that Bartleby exhibits symptoms that may be consistent with schizophrenia or autism spectrum condition. The story does not specifically label him this way.
14. How does the setting of Wall Street contribute to the story?
The setting of Wall Street represents the dehumanizing pressures and the cold, calculating nature of the capitalist system, which contributes to Bartleby’s isolation.
15. What is the significance of Bartleby’s death?
Bartleby’s death serves as a final act of passive resistance. He refuses to eat, choosing death over conforming to a life he no longer wants to live. His death represents the tragic consequences of isolation and the limits of understanding.