Bartleby, the Scrivener: A Story of Wall-Street by Herman Melville is a short story written in the late 19th century during the American Renaissance, depicting a legal scrivener who engages in a unique form of passive resistance, responding to requests with the famous phrase, “I would prefer not to.” The story delves into themes of isolation, the human condition, and the tension between individual will and societal expectations.
Narrated from the perspective of an unnamed lawyer, the story describes his interactions with Bartleby, a new scrivener who initially shows great diligence but gradually begins refusing to perform tasks. As Bartleby’s defiance grows, the lawyer wrestles with feelings of bewilderment, pity, and frustration. Bartleby’s presence becomes increasingly unsettling, revealing his profound disconnection from the world around him. The story culminates with Bartleby’s tragic fate in prison, raising profound questions about humanity, purpose, and the impact of social neglect.
Through the surreal exchanges between the lawyer and Bartleby, Melville crafts a sharp commentary on modern life and the individual’s plight within an indifferent society.

Bartleby, The Scrivener