Bartleby Ending

Discuss the significance of the ending of the story. Why does he say "I know you" ...."and I want nothing to say to you" on p. 31? He also insists to the narrator that "[he] know[s] where [he] [is]" on p. 32. Why does he deviate from his usual response here and assert some opinion rather than being simply passive? What's the significance of his job as a dead letter handler? The nature of his death?

Symbolism in Bartleby

What do the "dead walls" and Bartleby's "dead wall reveries" represent? What's the significance of the setting? Wall Street? Why do Turkey and Nipper have nicknames, but the boss is never named and Bartleby's first name or background is never learned?

Bartleby's Motivation

Why does Bartleby always "prefer not to"? Why does he begin by working and engaging in some activity and gradually become completely passive and inactive? Is he angry at the narrator for leaving him?

The Boss and Bartleby

Why doesn't the narrator throw Bartleby out as the later occupants of his offices finally do? Why does Bartleby's passivity have such an effect of him? Why is the boss so sympathetic towards Bartleby?

Bartleby theScrivener

Does Bartleby represent a force beyond himself as an individual? Is he symbolically significant? How? Why? What does the narrator learn from him?