The Lawyer’s Approach to Bartleby’s Behavior (Essay Sample)

Herman Melville’s, “Bartleby the Scrivener” involves the working relationships between Wall Street’s successful lawyer and Bartleby in the 1840s. Notably, within two days after being hired, Bartleby performs his copyist duties with skill and diligence and hence gains the lawyer’s confidence. However, beginning the third day, Bartleby started to show some signs of resentment by constantly and politely responding “I prefer not to” whenever the lawyer required him to do anything (Bartleby the Scrivener). Generally, while Bartleby’s constant expression of “I prefer not to” demonstrates passive resistance to rules and order and romanticism’s ideas of individualism and liberalism, the lawyer finally feels desperate and frustrated by Bartleby’s constant rebellion despite being understanding and kind.
Bartleby’s passive resistance is evident throughout the film. According to (Bartleby the Scrivener, 3:05-3:25), two days after being hired, Bartleby refuses to examine his copies when his boss required him to by responding, “I prefer not to”. Consequently, the term formed an essential part of his character throughout the film as he virtually resisted anything that he was told to do besides his copywriting duties, including vacating the office, taking food, and the offer to take an alternative clerkship job. Notably, at one point the lawyer asks Bartleby closely, “You will not?” and he politely responded “I prefer not to.” Therefore, the polite tone combined with the calmness and rational delivery of Bartleby’s response “I prefer not to” shows his passive resistance to rules and order.