But it may only be a passing whim.”, “Ah,” exclaimed I, “you have strangely changed your mind then—you speak very gently of him now.”, “All beer,” cried Turkey; “gentleness is effects of beer—Nippers and I dined together to-day. The bond of a common humanity now drew me irresistibly to gloom. “What do you mean? Bartleby's isolation from the world allows him to be completely free. “Deranged? Shall I acknowledge it? Bartleby the Scrivener revolves around a “scrivener”, working for a lawyer who doubles as the narrator. For example, I cannot credit that the mettlesome poet Byron would have contentedly sat down with Bartleby to examine a law document of, say five hundred pages, closely written in a crimpy hand. I seldom lose my temper; much more seldom indulge in dangerous indignation at wrongs and outrages; but I must be permitted to be rash here and declare, that I consider the sudden and violent abrogation of the office of Master of Chancery, by the new Constitution, as a —— premature act; inasmuch as I had counted upon a life-lease of the profits, whereas I only received those of a few short years. “I am the grub-man. And see, it is not so sad a place as one might think. But there was something about Bartleby that not only strangely disarmed me, but in a wonderful manner touched and disconcerted me. Among the manifestations of his diseased ambition was a fondness he had for receiving visits from certain ambiguous-looking fellows in seedy coats, whom he called his clients. But he seemed alone, absolutely alone in the universe. No, I would not like a clerkship; but I am not particular.”, “Too much confinement,” I cried, “why you keep yourself confined all the time!”. “Is this so?” said I, turning to the turnkey. 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. Immediately it occurred to me that my ears had deceived me, or Bartleby had entirely misunderstood my meaning. I should have stated before that ground glass folding-doors divided my premises into two parts, one of which was occupied by my scriveners, the other by myself. Some of the compassionate and curious bystanders joined the party; and headed by one of the constables arm in arm with Bartleby, the silent procession filed its way through all the noise, and heat, and joy of the roaring thoroughfares at noon. Published in 1853, "Bartleby the Scrivener" is one of American writer Herman Melville's most often-read and studied works (which is really saying a lot, considering that the guy also penned numerous classics, including Moby-Dick and Billy Budd). or help examine a few lines? “What is your answer, Bartleby?” said I, after waiting a considerable time for a reply, during which his countenance remained immovable, only there was the faintest conceivable tremor of the white attenuated mouth. Finally, I resolved upon this;—I would put certain calm questions to him the next morning, touching his history, &c., and if he declined to answer then openly and reservedly (and I supposed he would prefer not), then to give him a twenty dollar bill over and above whatever I might owe him, and tell him his services were no longer required; but that if in any other way I could assist him, I would be happy to do so, especially if he desired to return to his native place, wherever that might be, I would willingly help to defray the expenses. He states he is “a man who, from his youth upwards, has been filled with a profound conviction that the easiest way of life is the best.” He knows what his principles in life are and has decided that he should live with as little conflict as possible. Obesity is a little deranged, ” said I, sadly and was on. It often is, somewhere not far from sixty he had decided upon, the Scrivener was the victim innate... 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