Bartleby The Scriveners: Foundation for Depression
...m, a window which originally had afforded a lateral view of certain grimy backyards and brick, but which, owing to subsequent erections, commanded at present no view at all, though it gave some light… the light came down from far above, between two lofty buildings, as from a very small opening in a dome. (Melville, 31) The “original view” explains the previous setting of both the office at No.—Wall Street as well as the Dead Letter Office. However, the current view from the office window implies a dead end - That Bartleby’s depression will progressively get worse. His only chance is to hope that this job will provide him security and a purpose in life. Melville then illustrates the setting much like he did in the first quote. Again the light is described as coming down from the heavens and grasping Bartleby’s soul and showing him that he has the potential to overcome his depression. Bartleby could stay there at No.—Wall Street and change his behavior, or continue his actions and hope for afterlife. The most apparent aspect of Bartleby’s depression is an infinitesimally limited amount of social contact. He is surrounded by discussion during the day and every time someone would ask him a question, he always replied with thins single statement, “I would prefer not to.” The next quote illustrates how the setting describes Bartleby’s disconnected social behavior: I procured a high green folding screen, which might entirely isolate Bartleby from my sight, though not remove him from my voice. And Thus, in a manner, privacy and society were conjoined. (Melville, 31) The screen that the narrator describes not only separates Bartleby from the narrator; it is also a defense mechanism that is imbedded into Bartleby preventing the narrator from actually learning anything about him. Bartleby never opens up to the narrator when he offers him comfort and friendship. This causes Bartleby to isolate himself from society. Bartleby would always “prefer not” to do anything and indeed, usually did nothing. One of the several instances of this occurring was when the narrator attempted to kindly remove Bartleby from his office. Though Bartleby acted as if nothing happened: “… I shall not see you again; so good-by to you. If, hereafter, in your new place of abode, I can be of any service to you, do not fail to advise me by letter. Good-by, Bartleby, and fare you well.” But he answered not a word; like the last column of some ruined temple, he remained standing mute and solitary in the middle of the otherwise desolate room. (Melville, 42) Since Bartleby lived at No.—Wall Street, there was absolutely no one there when the office was closed. Every evening and every Sunday was spent entirely alone in that building; his only companions were his haunting memories from the Dead Letter Office. The following quote explains that lifeless hue of Wall Street in much greater detail: Think of it. Of a Sunday, Wall Street is deserted as Petra; and every night of every day it is an emptiness. This building, too, which of week-days hums with industry and life, at nightfall echoes with sheer vacancy, and all through Sunday is forlorn. And here populous – a sort of innocent and transformed Marius brooding among the ruins of Carthage! (Melville, 37) The lonely days and nights that Bartleby spent tucked away from society at that office allowed his abhorrent memories of the Dead Letter Office to successfully resurface and recapture his mind. The last sentence explains exactly how Bartleby was removed from society and left alone to dwell on his thoughts of the Dead Letter Office, all while within an abandoned, lonesome city. The narrator specifically refers to [Gaius] Marius in the previous quote while making a comparison to Bartleby. Marius was a military man for various armies and was eventually ordered a death sentence. Yet no wanted to kill the old man (Roman Empire). Thus, he was exiled to Carthage (Roman Empire). Carthage was once a thriving city; but after the Third Punic War, it was desolate and deserted. Marius still managed to come over come his impasse and return to Rome (Roman Empire). However, he had returned with a vengeance and slaughtered his way to consulship (Roman Empire). Much like Marius, Bartleby was also exiled from society and forced to live alone, while trying to overcome his relentless depression. Bartleby is thus the “transformed Marius” because he attempts to re-join society and conquer his faults peacefully (yet apathetically), unlike Marius. The final point is that Bartleby’s dilemma ended exactly as Marius’ did, in death. Gaius Marius died soon after being given consulship (Roman ...