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

If ever there are two opposite themes offered in the telling of genius tale, it is in Herman Melvilles short narration, Bartleby the Scrivener. As his perspective swings between the objective and subjective, so swings the theme from comedy to tragedy. regardless of the two perspectives from which Herman Melville relates the written report of Bartleby, the telling of a tragic accounting with ironic subjectivity, the storys plot and outcome determines the categorization. In fact, had Melville non peppered the story with his narrative, light-hearted, internal musings, and shared with the audience a grasping at wheat style of systematisation, the main theme could only sport 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, through its progression should determine its categorization. For this reason, Bartleby the Scrive ner, is a tragedy.Throughout the story Melville relates the many troubling incidents watchd with the mysterious copier. Bartlebys reactions to his superior are so unlike those which most of us discombobulate ever experienced, human nature ca workouts the indorser to attempt to apply logic to his eccentricities. When asked to proofread a copy, Bartlebys outrageous answer is, I favor not to. Having just been introduced to Bartleby and still formulating a startle impression, the audience is necessitate 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 uphold Bartleby to humour him in his strange wilfulness will cost me weeny or nothing, while I lay up in my mortal 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 lecturer is quic k to empathize, having found no explanation 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 somewhat suspicious of Bartlebys statement, I elect 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 flummoxs filled with the word prefer, the expression which has caused eachone much(prenominal) grief up to that point. After suggesting that Bartleby would prefer to take a quart of good ale every day, Turkey states, Oh. Prefer? Oh yes queer 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 art on the readers little guy to relate to t he subconsciously determined behaviour of the characters.As the employer becomes more agitated, as a emergence of his circle of friends and acquaintances comments, Melville shares his mental gymnastics with the reader. His though process begins with the suggestion 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 firmness of purpose, 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 force 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 see Bart leby at the office where he had been left, 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 consummate 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, solemn 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 life 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 Dead Letter Office, which helps to explain Bartlebys mental state. one time 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 attention 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 inflorescence of the plot. The characters eccentricities, when coupled with the narrators take on them, have allowed Melville to vex 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.