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254 voters
Bartleby, the Scrivener (Art of the Novella)
"I prefer not to," he respectfully and slowly said, and mildly disappeared.
Academics hail it as the beginning of modernism, but to readers around the world—even those daunted by Moby-Dick—Bartleby the Scrivener is simply one of the most absorbing and moving novellas ever. Set in the mid-19th century on New York City’s Wall Street, it was also, perhaps, Herman ...more
Academics hail it as the beginning of modernism, but to readers around the world—even those daunted by Moby-Dick—Bartleby the Scrivener is simply one of the most absorbing and moving novellas ever. Set in the mid-19th century on New York City’s Wall Street, it was also, perhaps, Herman ...more
Paperback, 100 pages
Published
June 14th 2011
by Melville House
(first published 1853)
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Abigail
rated it
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review of another edition
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review of another edition
Recommends it for:
I would prefer not to recommend this book...
Shelves:
literature-classics
This short story by Herman Melville, arguably one of the greatest authors the United States has ever produced, follows the downward trajectory of Bartleby, a strange and pale young clerk in a nineteenth-century New York law firm. Narrated by Bartleby's erstwhile employer, it records his gradual withdrawal into himself, to the point of self-destruction. Simultaneously hilarious and tragic, it has that uniquely surreal quality which is the hallmark of Melville's great works.
It is in re...more
It is in re...more
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Mariel
rated it
·
review of another edition
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review of another edition
Recommends it for:
fugitives
Recommended to Mariel by:
my mom
Shelves:
shortstories,
babywecouldbefamous
We used Bartleby to get out of doing things our mom wanted us to do. "I'd rather not..." It worked. If we wanted money we'd channel Samuel L. Jackson in Spike Lee's Jungle Fever. "They say I got the job! I just need a hundred dollars." (If she was being tightfisted we'd throw in his "little gator dance" and sing "I like getting high uh huh!") Eventually she caught on and we'd reenact the scene from Reservoir Dogs when Mr. Pink knows he didn't do it, he kno...more
I would tell you what I think of this story, but I prefer not to.
A Wall Street lawyer hires the eponymous character to work as a scrivener. Poor Bartleby seems trapped in the soul-killing monotony of his job, a job that leads a co-worker to get soused every day at lunch. After a while, Bartleby starts refusing his assigned work, but in turning away from these tasks he doesn’t turn to doing anything else. His rebellion is passive – staring at the brick walls that enclose him and the others on Wall Street, he becomes a standing rebuke of superficial ‘busy-ness’...more
Another of Melville's thought provoking short stories.
Liken it to a painting. A painting that begins as a portrait as you spot if from across the room. But as you approach, the face seems to lose focus, no longer a clean portrayal. It becomes less and less clear, more and more disconcerting, as you get closer and closer, until you are certain that what was obviously a portrait can be nothing more than an abstract exercise. Your too-close inspection will yield nothing but stubborn...more
Liken it to a painting. A painting that begins as a portrait as you spot if from across the room. But as you approach, the face seems to lose focus, no longer a clean portrayal. It becomes less and less clear, more and more disconcerting, as you get closer and closer, until you are certain that what was obviously a portrait can be nothing more than an abstract exercise. Your too-close inspection will yield nothing but stubborn...more
It's about capitalism, with Bartleby functioning as a Jesus-like figure. The subtitle reads, “A Story of Wall-Street". Walls, of all kinds, are a reoccurring theme in this story.
Bartleby is humanity, itself: life, death, and singularity. His difference, or disability, his adamant presence exposes the lawyer for what he truly is and arguably transforms him. I read this because a book I'm currently reading (about autism) discussed it at length. I've also heard it referenced on num...more
Bartleby is humanity, itself: life, death, and singularity. His difference, or disability, his adamant presence exposes the lawyer for what he truly is and arguably transforms him. I read this because a book I'm currently reading (about autism) discussed it at length. I've also heard it referenced on num...more
I first saw it years ago in a TV adaptation with Paul Scofield as the boss. It was set in a modern-day London office block, with him finding his unenthusiastic employee sleeping under the desk. It’s a sort of precursor to Sartre and Camus, early existentialism. Blah, blah... Actually, on April 1st 1990 I had a Bartleby Day in which when anyone told me to do anything I’d reply, ‘I would prefer not to’. Performance art for an April fool. These humourless days I’d just be sacked of course. I have t...more
So a couple of weeks ago I was reading an article by Garrison Keillor, in which he described what an optimistic people we are. His example was that every year the most-bought least-read book is the Bible, primarily because we all tell ourselves we're going to read it and then quickly give up. We want, once and for all, to figure out the will of God, but after a few chapters we realize that we pretty much know the will of God and we would just prefer not to. Which of course made me think of Bart...more
An unnamed narrator tells this tale of the scrivener or law-copyist, Bartleby. It is an odd little story, unsettlingly humorous, puzzling, hauntingly disturbing. It reminds me to a piece that might have been written for the Theater of the Absurd a century before Samuel Beckett. Melville has created the ultimate isolated individual, an individual without a story, curiously and completely passive, without a history except as suggested by a vague rumor that is inserted on the last page. And may...more
One of the great pieces of short fiction in America. Actually it sort of reminds me of my role in work. I usually comment that I rather not to that - and it is sort of understandable. I guess in Melville's case, one doesn't understand and what I found fascinating is not only the characteristics, but also the daily work day of the characters. It's an interesting documentation. The work force is live with various narratives. I personally could sit where I work and just document things and t...more
a review?
i prefer not to.
har har har de har!
i prefer not to.
har har har de har!
A short and curious tale about a solitary scrivener who mysteriously and quietly refuses to join humanity in its daily tasks and cares. Written from the first-person viewpoint of a worry-worn narrator, the story is largely told through a series of self-searching introspections and speculations on the subtleties of human nature. Not much happens, but it is a good little book for pondering about people, their personalities, and how we fit in with each other in this little world of ours.
...more
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It was such a chore reading through this. I constantly checked my progress with this short story. I'll admit the ending was sad, but I still don't understand this. Maybe that's the thing Melville was aiming for. I don't know.
I was assigned to read this piece of literature during while attending the University of Idaho, in the 1960 period. Now this is a very old story of a Wall Street business man (lawyer) and one troubled and troublesome employee. I have thought about this over the years and just recently found the entire text on the internet and re-read it in its entirety.
I really enjoyed this book, because of the manner in which the employer wrestled with the problem, the compassion he showed, and t...more
I really enjoyed this book, because of the manner in which the employer wrestled with the problem, the compassion he showed, and t...more
Se qualcuno mi chiedesse di recensire questo libro, io con tono stranamente dolce, ma al tempo stesso fermo, risponderei: - Preferirei di no.
Bartleby è come uno di quei piatti elaborati in cui spesso si cimenta mia madre, magari non mi piace ma lo mangio lo stesso per capire cosa c'è dentro! Poi... non capendolo, inizio a riflettere sui possibili ingredienti
Il racconto non è semplice, ed ogni interpretazione tra quelle pensate e quelle lette finisce sempre per "cadere ne...more
Bartleby è come uno di quei piatti elaborati in cui spesso si cimenta mia madre, magari non mi piace ma lo mangio lo stesso per capire cosa c'è dentro! Poi... non capendolo, inizio a riflettere sui possibili ingredienti
Il racconto non è semplice, ed ogni interpretazione tra quelle pensate e quelle lette finisce sempre per "cadere ne...more
A short and insightful novella that reminded me of Waiting for Godot and Kafka's The Metamorphosis. This tale is not about the beginning or the end, but a statement on how we treat people who may be perceived as an inconvenience. It reminds me of a metaphor on the elderly in society. Bartleby is employed by a lawyer and Bartleby prefers not to engage in any other activity other than to copy documents. Then he says he would prefer not to perform this act anymore, and lives in the lawyer's office,...more
“I would prefer not to,” says Bartleby.
The writing flows easily, it’s not the most descriptive or most exciting story.
My initial impression after reading was, “What did I just read?”
*SPOILER*
I was really annoyed with the character Bartleby. I had no idea what he represented or what he was saying no to.
In the first few pages of the novella I had thought this is perhaps a story of corruption in government and business. However, after t...more
The writing flows easily, it’s not the most descriptive or most exciting story.
My initial impression after reading was, “What did I just read?”
*SPOILER*
I was really annoyed with the character Bartleby. I had no idea what he represented or what he was saying no to.
In the first few pages of the novella I had thought this is perhaps a story of corruption in government and business. However, after t...more
Come farsi odiare dai recensionisti seri, ossia come fare recensioni facendo gossip sulle vecchie conoscenze.
Insomma il punto è questo.
Quando facevo l'Università, abitavo con una ragazzetta bionda e tonda. Quando arrivava a casa, aveva sempre il sorriso, ti aiutava in qualsiasi cosa tu stessi facendo.
Stavi lavando i piatti, ma avevi fretta perché dovevi andare a lezione?
Arrivava lei e ti diceva: "Lascia, faccio io". E li lavava al posto tuo.
Dovevi anda...more
Insomma il punto è questo.
Quando facevo l'Università, abitavo con una ragazzetta bionda e tonda. Quando arrivava a casa, aveva sempre il sorriso, ti aiutava in qualsiasi cosa tu stessi facendo.
Stavi lavando i piatti, ma avevi fretta perché dovevi andare a lezione?
Arrivava lei e ti diceva: "Lascia, faccio io". E li lavava al posto tuo.
Dovevi anda...more
Nothing like reading about the pathetic whimpers of diminishing humanity against the stultifying effects of bureaucracy when waiting - and waiting - for a delayed flight. Oof. Bartleby's passive resistance is met with the confusion and fascination it deserves, whether or not that reaction is convincing in the long-term, and it is funny when it is not incredibly depressing.
Sterling Archer made this out to be more difficult than it really is. It's got a nice Metamorphosis-ish type feel...more
Sterling Archer made this out to be more difficult than it really is. It's got a nice Metamorphosis-ish type feel...more
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The fuck? This book is apparently waaay over my head. Everyone else seems to like it, but I just don't understand. Time to consult sparknotes....
Now that I'm armed, let's begin.
First of all, "Melville had a unique gift for description and contemplation in his writing, and his short stories (and many of his novels) unfold very slowly and thoughtfully." I'm hesitant to criticize this book, but I call bullshit. I didn't feel like the imagery was powerful until the ...more
Now that I'm armed, let's begin.
First of all, "Melville had a unique gift for description and contemplation in his writing, and his short stories (and many of his novels) unfold very slowly and thoughtfully." I'm hesitant to criticize this book, but I call bullshit. I didn't feel like the imagery was powerful until the ...more
Bartleby est un scribe employé par un homme de loi de Wall Street. Il ravit dans un premier temps son employeur car il est minutieux, infatigable et d'une humeur stable à la différence de ses deux autres copistes lunatiques et excessifs.
Tout se passe à merveille jusqu'au jour où Bartleby refuse une à une les tâches qui lui sont confiées avec cette formule incompréhensible "I would prefer not to" : "j'aimerais mieux pas".
Par l'absurde Bartleby désarçonne l'homme de l...more
Tout se passe à merveille jusqu'au jour où Bartleby refuse une à une les tâches qui lui sont confiées avec cette formule incompréhensible "I would prefer not to" : "j'aimerais mieux pas".
Par l'absurde Bartleby désarçonne l'homme de l...more
What a great story: who knew Melville could be so hilarious?! I know that academic types have come up with layer upon layer of meaning for this tale - and there is rampant symbolism of all sorts - but it is also a pleasure to read for the irony, tongue-in-cheek and plain slapstick of the story. Best part: not having to wade through Moby Dick (sorry!) to get a delicious taste of Melville!
I had so far only read Moby-Dick by Herman Melville, which I enjoyed very much, so I thought I would go on in this Challenge with this title. I found in it the same quality of writing as in the famous novel, especially in describing characters and thoughts.
I was actually more fascinated in discovering the character of the narrator, he does not have a name, than Bartleby himself. Melville has a knack at transcribing moral struggles: the narrator is torn in his job as a lawyer between hi...more
I was actually more fascinated in discovering the character of the narrator, he does not have a name, than Bartleby himself. Melville has a knack at transcribing moral struggles: the narrator is torn in his job as a lawyer between hi...more
Este es un pequeño cuento por el autor de Moby Dick.
En el un abogado de Manhattan que funciona como narrador describe con horror e incomodidad su relación con Bartebly, un "capturista" que trabaja para él y un día decide dejar de hacer su trabajo.
Y bajo esta premisa, Melville trabaja con precisión kafkiana, nuestro narrador ahonda en gran detalle su situación y Melville se esfuerza mucho en no dejarla caer en algo raro sino algo que, como lector, incluso puedes ...more
En el un abogado de Manhattan que funciona como narrador describe con horror e incomodidad su relación con Bartebly, un "capturista" que trabaja para él y un día decide dejar de hacer su trabajo.
Y bajo esta premisa, Melville trabaja con precisión kafkiana, nuestro narrador ahonda en gran detalle su situación y Melville se esfuerza mucho en no dejarla caer en algo raro sino algo que, como lector, incluso puedes ...more
In this very attitude did I sit when I called to him, rapidly stating what it was I wanted him to do—namely, to examine a small paper with me. Imagine my surprise, nay, my consternation, when without moving from his privacy, Bartleby in a singularly mild, firm voice, replied, “I would prefer not to."
I sat awhile in perfect silence, rallying my stunned faculties. Immediately it occurred to me that my ears had deceived me, or Bartleby had entirely misunderstood my meaning. I repeated m...more
I sat awhile in perfect silence, rallying my stunned faculties. Immediately it occurred to me that my ears had deceived me, or Bartleby had entirely misunderstood my meaning. I repeated m...more
I read this novella on the bus today.
One of the things that I like about Herman Melville is the range of emotion he is able to portray. "Bartleby" starts out with a funny description of three eccentric clerks named Turkey, Nippers and Ginger Nut. Sixty-odd pages later the tale draws to a close with madness, jail, starvation and death... in a beautiful way.
Last night I watched Hitchcock's "Vertigo." I had the same feeling reading this book as I had watc...more
One of the things that I like about Herman Melville is the range of emotion he is able to portray. "Bartleby" starts out with a funny description of three eccentric clerks named Turkey, Nippers and Ginger Nut. Sixty-odd pages later the tale draws to a close with madness, jail, starvation and death... in a beautiful way.
Last night I watched Hitchcock's "Vertigo." I had the same feeling reading this book as I had watc...more
I've avoided Melville my whole adult life, which I attribute to trauma from 10th grade English (I still haven't read Moby Dick all the way through), however, after having read "Bartleby..." I can't wait to read more of his work. It was so quietly witty, so intelligent, and all together well written. No wonder we're supposed to read Melville. Duh!
I know I'm supposed to like Melville because he's an American classic, but wow, this book was amazingly tedious. I know that was partly the point, but it was so good at making its point that I felt violent towards Bartleby. I guess it's good to be able to elicit such strong opinions from a novella, but I hate this book.
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| what does bartleby means to you? | 1 | 3 | Dec 11, 2011 01:44am | |
| Essay Prompt | 1 | 6 | Oct 24, 2011 06:55pm |
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Herman Melville was an American novelist, short story writer, essayist, and poet. His first two books gained much attention, though they were not bestsellers, and his popularity declined precipitously only a few years later. By the time of his death he had been almost completely forgotten, but his longest novel, Moby-Dick — largely considered a failure during his lifetime, and most responsible for...more
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“Σ'ένα ευαίσθητο ον ο οίκτος γίνεται συχνά πόνος. Και όταν κάποτε κατανοήσει κανείς ότι παρόμοιος οίκτος δεν αρκεί για να βοηθήσει αποτελεσματικά, τότε παρεμβαίνει η λογική επιτάσσοντας την ψυχή ν'απαλλαγεί από παρόμοιο οίκτο.”
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