I think that Bartleby does represent something larger than himself. Bartley represents what most workers desire- to quit their jobs. He says that he would "prefer not" to work, suggesting his nonchalant attitude towards his assignments, and perhaps even suggesting his approach to life. When one wants to quit their job, they need a solid reason. Bartleby does not quit, but rather all together stops working, with the arrogant and irksome "I prefer not to".
Interesting comment -- a lot is made of the subtitle, "A Tale of Wall Street". It was written at the beginning of the Wall St. banking era and the walls outside B's window are often interpreted as the individual's alienation from his work. I think this makes sense and would add that I think people are much more "removed" and therefore "alienated" from work in the 20th century. Very often, especially in manufacturing type jobs or as in Bs copying job, we don't really see the end product or results of work and so it seems quite meaningless. I think that's part of B's problem but the fact that he doesn't quit and find anything meaning seems like an indictment of the whole modern world. There is nothing meaningful. Check out Franz Kafka's "A Hunger Artist" written during the same time period (maybe a little later actually). Sometimes we read it but I'm not sure we'll get to it. I have copies though.
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I think that Bartleby does represent something larger than himself. Bartley represents what most workers desire- to quit their jobs. He says that he would "prefer not" to work, suggesting his nonchalant attitude towards his assignments, and perhaps even suggesting his approach to life. When one wants to quit their job, they need a solid reason. Bartleby does not quit, but rather all together stops working, with the arrogant and irksome "I prefer not to".
Interesting comment -- a lot is made of the subtitle, "A Tale of Wall Street". It was written at the beginning of the Wall St. banking era and the walls outside B's window are often interpreted as the individual's alienation from his work. I think this makes sense and would add that I think people are much more "removed" and therefore "alienated" from work in the 20th century. Very often, especially in manufacturing type jobs or as in Bs copying job, we don't really see the end product or results of work and so it seems quite meaningless. I think that's part of B's problem but the fact that he doesn't quit and find anything meaning seems like an indictment of the whole modern world. There is nothing meaningful. Check out Franz Kafka's "A Hunger Artist" written during the same time period (maybe a little later actually). Sometimes we read it but I'm not sure we'll get to it. I have copies though.
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