Melville’s “Bartleby the Scrivener”: Humorous or Tragic? Essay

If ever there are two opposite themes offered in the telling of unmatched tale, it is in Herman Melvilles short story, Bartleby the Scrivener. As his perspective swings among the objective and subjective, so swings the theme from clowning to tragedy. irrespective of the two perspectives from which Herman Melville relates the story of Bartleby, the telling of a tragic story with humorous subjectivity, the storys plot and outcome determines the categorization. In fact, had Melville not peppered the story with his narrative, light-hearted, internal musings, and shared with the audience a grasp at straw style of rationalization, the main theme could only have been categorized as tragic. Regardless of the two perspectives from which Herman Melville relates the story of Bartleby, the telling of a tragic story sprinkled with humorous subjectivity, the actual story line, by dint of its progression should determine its categorization. For this reason, Bartleby the Scrivener, is a tragedy. Throughout the story Melville relates the many troubling incidents experienced with the mysterious copier. Bartlebys reactions to his superior are so unlike those which most of us have ever experienced, human record causes the proofreader to attempt to apply logic to his eccentricities. When asked to proofread a copy, Bartlebys outrageous answer is, I prefer not to. Having just been introduced to Bartleby and still formulating a first impression, the audience is required to grapple with a logical explanation for his troubling behaviour. At that point, Melville introduces his first bit of comic relief, enlisting the audiences empathy in stating, To befriend Bartleby to humour him in his unknown wilfulness will cost me little or nothing, while I lay up in my soul what will eventually prove a sweet morsel for my conscience. Since there is no excusing Bartlebys behaviour, Melville finds solace in rationalizing his reaction and the reader is quick to empathize, having found no explana tion for the behaviour.When his conscience no longer provides for rationalizing the acceptance of Bartlebys strange behaviour, Melville invites the reader to appreciate the behaviours usefulness. To some degree, the little guy in us is more or less envious of Bartlebys financial contestation, I prefer not to. How many times would we have used this statement in our lives if we had no fear of therepercussions? As the story progresses and Bartlebys behaviour is becoming the norm, the banter between Mr. Nippers, Turkey and the lawyer becomes filled with the word prefer, the expression which has caused everyone such grief up to that point. aft(prenominal) suggesting that Bartleby would prefer to take a quart of good ale every day, Turkey states, Oh. Prefer? Oh yes rummy word. I never use it myself. He then replies, Oh, certainly, sir, if you prefer that I should, upon being asked to leave the room. Melville is affair on the readers little guy to relate to the subconsciously driven behaviour of the characters.As the employer becomes more agitated, as a result of his circle of friends and acquaintances comments, Melville shares his kind gymnastics with the reader. His though process begins with the prompting that, allowing Bartlebys occupation of his offices would result in him having to mason up his remains in the wall, when he died. This not being a logical solution, he moves on to the question of whether or not Bartleby could be considered a vagrant. The reader is astonished with his conclusion that, not only will he not metier Bartleby to move, he, himself will move without Bartleby. However extreme the employers solution has become, the reader can offer no solution and is dragged, empathetically, once again, into the rationalization of the employer, yet still amused by the bizarre situation.Melville lends humour to one conversation between the lawyer and Bartleby, in the form of contradiction. While visiting Bartleby at the office where he had been lef t, the lawyer again makes suggestions to Bartleby of ways in which he can better his circumstances. Along with the usual I prefer not to, all suggestions were punctuated with, I am not particular. It is at this point in the story, although amusing in its use of contradiction, the reader comes to realize that Bartleby is not making any kind of statement in his refusal to conform. Having become more evident as the story has progressed, is the fact that Bartlebys amusing, shocking and at times humorous behaviour is not personality driven but driven by his mental instability.As the story winds down, Melville allows no more room for amusement atBartlebys expense. Bartleby has wound up in The Tombs, or to speak more properly, the Halls of Justice. He has rejected the lawyers attempts at conversation and although the lawyer is still trying to make Bartlebys action easier in the few ways he can, Bartleby refuses to acknowledge it. The sad rumour is shared with the reader, about Bartlebys experience in the d.o.a. Letter Office, which helps to explain Bartlebys mental state. Once again, the reader is required to examine his own conscience. Bartleby, as it turns out, if not a product of humanity with all its flaws, is at least an example of it. He draws our heed to this in exclaiming, Ah Bartleby Ah humanityBartleby, the Scrivener A Story of Wall-street, should be considered a tragedy, if not in the nature of the story-telling, then in the unfolding of the plot. The characters eccentricities, when coupled with the narrators take on them, have allowed Melville to make the tragedy in an amusing manner but Bartleby has lead such a sad life ending in such a regrettable way, this short story is tragic in theme.