Bartleby, the Scrivener
...owever, Bartleby had different expectations for himself and his work. Bartleby’s behavior questions all that is thought to be universal behavior while at work. Bartleby worked very hard, never taking breaks or even going home. These aspects of Bartleby were viewed as peculiar by his superior and coworkers, but were not undesirable traits. Bartleby also kept to himself most of the time, and did not get involved with office politics or affairs. Like many new employees, Bartleby had a small shared office near the boss so that he could be monitored. A comparison to life by today’s office employees trapped in small cubicles could be made. The feeling of privacy is not there, and one could almost feel overwhelmed with only with their work and a small desk. These conditions may have weighed heavily on Bartleby, causing him to not feel very sociable with the others in the office. The life of drudgery as a scrivener grew weary on Bartleby. The odd behavior expressed by Bartleby continued until one day in a act of rebellion he said the words; “I would prefer not to.” He was referring to the request by his boss the edit his copy. The boss, shocked by this insubordinate behavior and politely asked again, and drew the same response from Bartleby; “I would prefer not to.” His boss assumed this was a temporary problem with Bartleby and assumed that it would pass in a day or so. His coworkers viewed his action as very odd, and even suggested as “loony” by one worker. His phrase now consumed every conversation he had with those in the office. His standard response to a request by someone in his office was; “ I would prefer not to.” These words of defiance eventually led to Bartleby’s dismissal from his job, and when asked...