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Bartleby, the Scrivener
In reading Bartlebys story from a Christian point of view, there are some interesting analogies and references to be found. Firstly, the narrator is compared to the apostle Peter, three times denying any knowledge of Bartleby, and to a salt pillar, referring to Lots wife who was told not to look back at the city of Sodom as it burned, and whose unfaithfulness turned her into salt, as she did attempt a sneak peak. If the narrator is Peter, then Bartleby would be Christ, by implication. There is also a direct reference towards the end, where Bartleby in prison is said to be between thieves and murderers, like Christ on the cross. Then, upon his death, the fetally lying Bartleby is compared to Job, who whished he had never been born, and would then have slept with kings and counselors in their desolate places, the last part of which may refer to the Tombs, Bartlebys place of death. ...
Apart from analogy, there are some references to salvation, in particularly the narrators, which depends on his treatment of Bartleby. The instance where the narrator misunderstands a remark in the street concerning some election into a bet on Bartleby gives new meaning to the word election: to be elected into heaven. This indirect clue is later followed by the narrator stating himself, after consulting Edwards and Priestley, that Bartleby was billeted upon me for some mysterious purpose of an all-wise Providence, i. ... As a last point, like Christ, Bartleby does not resist to any action taken against him. ... In this light, the Bartleby/Christ connection could be a way of criticising the Christian believer, for following too easily on the one hand, and on the other, for being too preoccupied with earthly matters (the narrator having decided to let Bartleby be, until the staring looks and rumours among his colleagues change his mind).
Approximate Word count = 1431
Approximate Pages = 5.7
(250 words per page double spaced)
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