Why do you think Bartleby tediously worked in the beginning of the story, but as the story developed he dropped off and ceased to complete the tasks assigned to him? Do you think this has to do with his declining health or was this his initial motive?
I think this is a really good question, and definitely one that's hard to answer. At first Bartleby really annoyed me and I thought he was just trying to be difficult. As time goes on though I started to believe that maybe he was actually mentally ill. We never get to know a lot about Bartleby's personal life, but I do think something happened to him previously that started his decline in health. If this is the case, it would then make sense that throughout the story and time his health previously got worse, making it possible that everything he did was out of his control.
I'm trying to think (not that we particularly need to put a label on it) what sort of mental illness would make Bartleby act in this way, saying "I would prefer not to etc. I was thinking maybe some sort of Aspergers syndrome? In the beginning of the story, Bartleby was very focused and worked very steadily, as people with Aspergers often do. His only oddity came from social interaction.
I think Fiona brings up a very interesting point, and I actually saw some of the same things myself. I also thought it was interesting how Bartleby's work compared to Nippers and Turkey. Turkey being an excellent worker in the morning, but not in the afternoon, and Nippers being the exact opposite. Bartleby starts off working well but slowly deteriorates in work ethic among other things. He is like Turkey but instead of all of that happening in a day it happens over a prolonged period. I think it's an interesting way of looking at three different types of work ethic because all three exist in the work world.
I thought it was really interesting how the narrator puts up with Bartleby when he refuses to work. The first few times Bartleby says he "prefers not to" work, the narrator is purely shocked and thinks about how he would fire any other employee who refused to work. However, he does not fire Bartleby. This is also before the narrator is aware of Bartleby's health problems. Why do you think the narrator is immediately interested in Bartleby before he even knows his whole story?
I think that the narrator is immediately interested in Bartleby because he is dumbstruck by Bartleby's statement-- "i would prefer not to". Bartleby acts almost inhuman, never getting upset, or showing any emotion whatsoever. The narrator feels pity for this unemotional, seemingly lonely man and becomes interested in his welfare.
Similar to Kate, I think that the narrator interested in Bartleby because he is astonished by Bartleby's unusual emotions and pities him for this. However, the narrator also recognizes the “bond of common humanity” which he and Bartleby share as “sons of Adam”. Through contemplating Bartleby’s odd behaviors, the narrator seems to discover his humanity which would now deem him a villain if he does not treat Bartleby with consideration.
Why do you think Bartleby tediously worked in the beginning of the story, but as the story developed he dropped off and ceased to complete the tasks assigned to him? Do you think this has to do with his declining health or was this his initial motive?
ReplyDeleteI think this is a really good question, and definitely one that's hard to answer. At first Bartleby really annoyed me and I thought he was just trying to be difficult. As time goes on though I started to believe that maybe he was actually mentally ill. We never get to know a lot about Bartleby's personal life, but I do think something happened to him previously that started his decline in health. If this is the case, it would then make sense that throughout the story and time his health previously got worse, making it possible that everything he did was out of his control.
DeleteI'm trying to think (not that we particularly need to put a label on it) what sort of mental illness would make Bartleby act in this way, saying "I would prefer not to etc. I was thinking maybe some sort of Aspergers syndrome? In the beginning of the story, Bartleby was very focused and worked very steadily, as people with Aspergers often do. His only oddity came from social interaction.
DeleteI think Fiona brings up a very interesting point, and I actually saw some of the same things myself. I also thought it was interesting how Bartleby's work compared to Nippers and Turkey. Turkey being an excellent worker in the morning, but not in the afternoon, and Nippers being the exact opposite. Bartleby starts off working well but slowly deteriorates in work ethic among other things. He is like Turkey but instead of all of that happening in a day it happens over a prolonged period. I think it's an interesting way of looking at three different types of work ethic because all three exist in the work world.
DeleteI thought it was really interesting how the narrator puts up with Bartleby when he refuses to work. The first few times Bartleby says he "prefers not to" work, the narrator is purely shocked and thinks about how he would fire any other employee who refused to work. However, he does not fire Bartleby. This is also before the narrator is aware of Bartleby's health problems. Why do you think the narrator is immediately interested in Bartleby before he even knows his whole story?
ReplyDeleteI think that the narrator is immediately interested in Bartleby because he is dumbstruck by Bartleby's statement-- "i would prefer not to". Bartleby acts almost inhuman, never getting upset, or showing any emotion whatsoever. The narrator feels pity for this unemotional, seemingly lonely man and becomes interested in his welfare.
DeleteSimilar to Kate, I think that the narrator interested in Bartleby because he is astonished by Bartleby's unusual emotions and pities him for this. However, the narrator also recognizes the “bond of common humanity” which he and Bartleby share as “sons of Adam”. Through contemplating Bartleby’s odd behaviors, the narrator seems to discover his humanity which would now deem him a villain if he does not treat Bartleby with consideration.
Delete