The Piazza Tales by Herman Melville is a mid-19th-century collection of short stories that explores themes of isolation, the human condition, and the contrast between society and the individual. The collection presents various characters navigating their unique lives, with notable stories including The Piazza, which reveals the narrator's longing for a connection to nature and beauty, and Bartleby, the Scrivener, which introduces the enigmatic Bartleby, whose rejection of conventional life raises profound questions about society and free will.
In the opening of The Piazza, the narrator describes his old farmhouse, lamenting the absence of a piazza as a missed opportunity to fully enjoy the surrounding landscape. This regret reflects his yearning for a space that combines the comfort of indoors with the freedom of the outdoors, revealing a deep appreciation for nature’s beauty. As he contemplates whether to build a piazza, his observations of the scenery become increasingly poetic and meticulous, illustrating his connection to the land. This scene hints at a narrative driven by exploration and discovery, subtly setting the stage for broader themes of human experience, comfort, and desire.

THE PIAZZA.
BARTLEBY.
BENITO CERENO.
THE LIGHTNING-ROD MAN.
SKETCH FIRST. THE ISLES AT LARGE.
SKETCH SECOND.TWO SIDES TO A TORTOISE.
SKETCH THIRD. ROCK RODONDO.
SKETCH FOURTH. A PISGAH VIEW FROM THE ROCK.
SKETCH FIFTH. THE FRIGATE, AND SHIP FLYAWAY.
SKETCH SIXTH. BARRINGTON ISLE AND THE BUCCANEERS.
SKETCH SEVENTH. CHARLES’S ISLE AND THE DOG-KING.
SKETCH EIGHTH. NORFOLK ISLE AND THE CHOLA WIDOW.
SKETCH NINTH. HOOD’S ISLE AND THE HERMIT OBERLUS.
SKETCH TENTH. RUNAWAYS, CASTAWAYS, SOLITARIES, GRAVE-STONES, ETC.
THE BELL-TOWER.