Turkey, Nippers, and Ginger Nut are all introduced before Bartleby. Why do you think Melville did that? How does their introduction help us to understand the lawyer's tolerance of Bartleby?
I believe that Melville introduced Turkey, Nippers, and Ginger Nut first to demonstrate that each one of these guys had their own "flaws." The lawyer was able to deal with Turkey's late day mistakes, while he managed the problems Nippers had working in the morning. By handling these men daily, the lawyer was better able to tolerate the actions and responses from Bartleby. I also believe that the lawyer had a soft spot for Bartleby. After learning that Bartleby stayed in the office every night, the lawyer understood his loneliness. Melville displayed the high tolerance the lawyer showed for Bartleby excellently.
I agree with CK in that Melville introduced each assistant first to display their flaws and the lawyer's understanding of Bartleby's initial strangeness. However, I do not necessarily agree that it was because of a "soft spot" for Bartleby that the lawyer allowed the scrivener to stay for so long. I think he just had no idea what to do with the ghostly Bartleby. He apparently felt the same way towards Bartleby's eccentricities as he did those of Turkey and Nippers. The lawyer even attempted to fire Turkey on numerous occasions. There was obviously pity for the strange man, but I do not think that was the root of his tolerance.
I think that Melville introduced Turkey, Nippers, and Ginger Nut in the beginning to show how strange each of these men were. This also showed what the lawyer had to already put up with at his office. I agree with CK that by putting up with these three men, the lawyer could handle Bartleby also. He was already having to deal with other strange men, why not tolerate this one too? I also believe that the lawyer almost felt sorry for Bartleby. He would not have gone to visit him at the end of the story if he did not care at all for him. The lawyer also seemed perplexed as to what to do with Bartleby. He tried to view him with different perspectives. The lawyer definitely had to tolerate a lot with Bartleby though.
I believe Melville introduced Turkey, Ginger Nut, and Nippers first because they were the ones who would be okay in the end. Like everybody else has stated, the lawyer knew how to put up with these men, showing he could do the same for Bartelby. I believe the lawyer had pity for Bartelby becasue, like CK said, he was lonely. Bartelby had nobody except for those in the office. The lawyer tolerated each one of the character's strange actions showing that he could tolerate anything
I think Turkey, Nippers, and Ginger Nut are introduced first to described the daily life in the work place and show how the lawyer deals with complicating employees. Turkey and Nippers attitudes contrast each other depending on the time of the day, so the lawyer is constantly trying to deal with at least one of them. The irritability from both of them helps the lawyer learn techniques that can help him deal with Bartleby. Although Bartleby refuses to do work, the lawyer is very tolerant once he learns Bartleby lives in the office and has very little money. He feels bad for Bartleby and I believe he handled the situation exceptionally.
I think that Turkey, Nippers and Ginger Nut are introduced before Bartleby because Melville is setting the scene for the office of the lawyer. Melville explains the others first so that the reader can see what the lawyer hopes to accomplish, balancing out his emotionally unstable office, by hiring Bartleby. However, after the description of Bartleby, one can see that Bartleby will only add to the chaotic setting. We can also see that this lawyer has delt with these other workers and their flaws for sometime so he is skilled when it comes to patience and working with and around them.
I think that Melville introduced Ginger Nut, Turkey, and Nippers first because he wanted us to see that the lawyer already had some eccentric workers. The first three characters emphasize that the lawyer is a patient man and he is actually prone to hire men that aren't fully normal. The lengthy characterization of the first three workers also makes the reader fond of their quirks, hence, preparing them for Bartleby's strange nature. Their introduction shows that the lawyer had patiently dealt with eccentrics for a long time, and therefore he was used to men such as Bartleby.
Melville did a great job showing the patience of the lawyer by letting the reader understand the handful he already had to deal with in Turkey and Nippers. These two characters had each of their own problems that helped the other one out. Nippers was a very irritable person at times while Turkey tended to have a drink or two that would affect his work in the afternoons. With the Lawyer being able to handle these two, he is proven to be able to deal with Bartleby. The Lawyer was everything that he claimed and more when the Bartleby situation came about. He was patient and avoided conflict in every possible way that he could. Even when Bartleby refused to move out when the new rentees moved in, the Lawyer avoided the mess and let the authorities handle it. I know the Lawyer did not want to see it end this way with Bartleby because of the poor life that he had. Although, there is a point in time where one has to do what is right not only for himself but also what is right for everyone else.
I believe Melville introduced Turkey, Nippers, and Ginger Nut just like CK does on the fact that Melville wanted to distinguish each worker's flaws. I also believe he illusrtated these characters first to prove to the audience just how patient and understanding the lawyer was with these employees. This patience and understanding with Turkey, Nippers, and Ginger Nut show that the lawyer would be able to tolerate Bartleby, but to only a certain extent. So Melville's introduction of Nippers, Turkey, and Ginger Nut worked fantastically to illusrtate the lawyers tolerance with Bartleby.
I believe Melville introduced the other office employees to help his case to justify his credibility. He started the story off with the fact of saying that he was an elder lawyer. By telling about each employee, and their unique flaws, he shows his high tolerance for annoyance from his co-workers and also how bad Bartleby's personality actually is. The lawyer is a safe man rarely branching out or taking risks, so once he hired Bartleby he was stuck with him.
I agree with james hartley about the fact that the lawyer described Turkey, Nippers, and Ginger Nut first to show his credibility. To tell a story such as this seems almost fanciful; a man who starts off nice but begins to do nothing as a sloth would do. In order for people to believe this odd story, one must build up his credibility so that he is not perceived as a lair. As for his tolerance, just take a look at his employees. They are all mediocre. One is nice and good at his job during the morning but terrible in the afternoon, while another is the exact opposite. Being able to deal with both mens' bad sides revealed his ability to tolerate great things; for example, he tolerated Bartleby's eerie actions and refusals of work for quite a while before giving him an ultimatum.
The reason for Melville's introduction of Turkey, Nippers, and Ginger Nut was to show how much "heat" the lawyer could take without getting mad. I have no clue how he did not just go off on these scriveners. Even though the Lawyer had high tolerance to these men, Bartleby was a different type of worker when it came to copying law papers. As a result, it got under the Lawyer's skin. I believe Melville first introduces Turkey, Nipper, and Ginger Nut before Bartleby because Melville wants to show how much the Lawyer's high tolerance was not enough to withstand Bartleby
"I am a rather elderly man," begins the narrator of "Bartleby, the Scrivener." This fact allows the reader to conclude that he is quite experienced in the fields of life and wisdom. He has witnessed much and dealt with many people of many unique personalities throughout his life in this corrupt world. The description of the clerks under his watch also serves to establish this. Upon Bartleby's reception into this haven, our narrator is faced with a new and drastically burdensome responsibility. Bartleby is one who has been spiritually and mentally corroded into despair by society and occupation, which, of course, lies heavily under the influence of humanity. From whence this lad came (supposedly the Dead Letter Office at Washington) he had been deeply and irreparably wounded, perhaps by the knowledge of the wretched and sad state of humanity, and, as a result, left in desolate loneliness and idleness. This wearisome and tedious trade that Bartleby is accepted into (the work of a scrivener) only seals the top to a bottle full of hopelessness. The story ends with, "Ah, Bartleby! Ah, humanity!"
13 comments:
I believe that Melville introduced Turkey, Nippers, and Ginger Nut first to demonstrate that each one of these guys had their own "flaws." The lawyer was able to deal with Turkey's late day mistakes, while he managed the problems Nippers had working in the morning. By handling these men daily, the lawyer was better able to tolerate the actions and responses from Bartleby. I also believe that the lawyer had a soft spot for Bartleby. After learning that Bartleby stayed in the office every night, the lawyer understood his loneliness. Melville displayed the high tolerance the lawyer showed for Bartleby excellently.
I agree with CK in that Melville introduced each assistant first to display their flaws and the lawyer's understanding of Bartleby's initial strangeness. However, I do not necessarily agree that it was because of a "soft spot" for Bartleby that the lawyer allowed the scrivener to stay for so long. I think he just had no idea what to do with the ghostly Bartleby. He apparently felt the same way towards Bartleby's eccentricities as he did those of Turkey and Nippers. The lawyer even attempted to fire Turkey on numerous occasions. There was obviously pity for the strange man, but I do not think that was the root of his tolerance.
I think that Melville introduced Turkey, Nippers, and Ginger Nut in the beginning to show how strange each of these men were. This also showed what the lawyer had to already put up with at his office. I agree with CK that by putting up with these three men, the lawyer could handle Bartleby also. He was already having to deal with other strange men, why not tolerate this one too? I also believe that the lawyer almost felt sorry for Bartleby. He would not have gone to visit him at the end of the story if he did not care at all for him. The lawyer also seemed perplexed as to what to do with Bartleby. He tried to view him with different perspectives. The lawyer definitely had to tolerate a lot with Bartleby though.
I believe Melville introduced Turkey, Ginger Nut, and Nippers first because they were the ones who would be okay in the end. Like everybody else has stated, the lawyer knew how to put up with these men, showing he could do the same for Bartelby. I believe the lawyer had pity for Bartelby becasue, like CK said, he was lonely. Bartelby had nobody except for those in the office. The lawyer tolerated each one of the character's strange actions showing that he could tolerate anything
I think Turkey, Nippers, and Ginger Nut are introduced first to described the daily life in the work place and show how the lawyer deals with complicating employees. Turkey and Nippers attitudes contrast each other depending on the time of the day, so the lawyer is constantly trying to deal with at least one of them. The irritability from both of them helps the lawyer learn techniques that can help him deal with Bartleby. Although Bartleby refuses to do work, the lawyer is very tolerant once he learns Bartleby lives in the office and has very little money. He feels bad for Bartleby and I believe he handled the situation exceptionally.
I think that Turkey, Nippers and Ginger Nut are introduced before Bartleby because Melville is setting the scene for the office of the lawyer. Melville explains the others first so that the reader can see what the lawyer hopes to accomplish, balancing out his emotionally unstable office, by hiring Bartleby. However, after the description of Bartleby, one can see that Bartleby will only add to the chaotic setting. We can also see that this lawyer has delt with these other workers and their flaws for sometime so he is skilled when it comes to patience and working with and around them.
I think that Melville introduced Ginger Nut, Turkey, and Nippers first because he wanted us to see that the lawyer already had some eccentric workers. The first three characters emphasize that the lawyer is a patient man and he is actually prone to hire men that aren't fully normal. The lengthy characterization of the first three workers also makes the reader fond of their quirks, hence, preparing them for Bartleby's strange nature. Their introduction shows that the lawyer had patiently dealt with eccentrics for a long time, and therefore he was used to men such as Bartleby.
Melville did a great job showing the patience of the lawyer by letting the reader understand the handful he already had to deal with in Turkey and Nippers. These two characters had each of their own problems that helped the other one out. Nippers was a very irritable person at times while Turkey tended to have a drink or two that would affect his work in the afternoons. With the Lawyer being able to handle these two, he is proven to be able to deal with Bartleby. The Lawyer was everything that he claimed and more when the Bartleby situation came about. He was patient and avoided conflict in every possible way that he could. Even when Bartleby refused to move out when the new rentees moved in, the Lawyer avoided the mess and let the authorities handle it. I know the Lawyer did not want to see it end this way with Bartleby because of the poor life that he had. Although, there is a point in time where one has to do what is right not only for himself but also what is right for everyone else.
I believe Melville introduced Turkey, Nippers, and Ginger Nut just like CK does on the fact that Melville wanted to distinguish each worker's flaws. I also believe he illusrtated these characters first to prove to the audience just how patient and understanding the lawyer was with these employees. This patience and understanding with Turkey, Nippers, and Ginger Nut show that the lawyer would be able to tolerate Bartleby, but to only a certain extent. So Melville's introduction of Nippers, Turkey, and Ginger Nut worked fantastically to illusrtate the lawyers tolerance with Bartleby.
I believe Melville introduced the other office employees to help his case to justify his credibility. He started the story off with the fact of saying that he was an elder lawyer. By telling about each employee, and their unique flaws, he shows his high tolerance for annoyance from his co-workers and also how bad Bartleby's personality actually is. The lawyer is a safe man rarely branching out or taking risks, so once he hired Bartleby he was stuck with him.
I agree with james hartley about the fact that the lawyer described Turkey, Nippers, and Ginger Nut first to show his credibility. To tell a story such as this seems almost fanciful; a man who starts off nice but begins to do nothing as a sloth would do. In order for people to believe this odd story, one must build up his credibility so that he is not perceived as a lair. As for his tolerance, just take a look at his employees. They are all mediocre. One is nice and good at his job during the morning but terrible in the afternoon, while another is the exact opposite. Being able to deal with both mens' bad sides revealed his ability to tolerate great things; for example, he tolerated Bartleby's eerie actions and refusals of work for quite a while before giving him an ultimatum.
The reason for Melville's introduction of Turkey, Nippers, and Ginger Nut was to show how much "heat" the lawyer could take without getting mad. I have no clue how he did not just go off on these scriveners. Even though the Lawyer had high tolerance to these men, Bartleby was a different type of worker when it came to copying law papers. As a result, it got under the Lawyer's skin. I believe Melville first introduces Turkey, Nipper, and Ginger Nut before Bartleby because Melville wants to show how much the Lawyer's high tolerance was not enough to withstand Bartleby
"I am a rather elderly man," begins the narrator of "Bartleby, the Scrivener." This fact allows the reader to conclude that he is quite experienced in the fields of life and wisdom. He has witnessed much and dealt with many people of many unique personalities throughout his life in this corrupt world. The description of the clerks under his watch also serves to establish this. Upon Bartleby's reception into this haven, our narrator is faced with a new and drastically burdensome responsibility. Bartleby is one who has been spiritually and mentally corroded into despair by society and occupation, which, of course, lies heavily under the influence of humanity. From whence this lad came (supposedly the Dead Letter Office at Washington) he had been deeply and irreparably wounded, perhaps by the knowledge of the wretched and sad state of humanity, and, as a result, left in desolate loneliness and idleness. This wearisome and tedious trade that Bartleby is accepted into (the work of a scrivener) only seals the top to a bottle full of hopelessness. The story ends with, "Ah, Bartleby! Ah, humanity!"
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