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Barttleby's Physical Characters In Bartleby The Scrivener

Decent Essays

Directions: Record your answers in paragraph format.
Why do you think Turkey, Nippers, and Ginger Nut are introduced to the reader before Bartleby?
In "Bartleby the Scrivener," Melville chooses his order of character introduction in order to illustrate what kind of man the lawyer is. The entire story depends upon the lawyer's reactions and responses to Bartleby and upon the reader accepting the lawyer's reactions, responses, and actions as wholly sincere and in keeping with his character. The descriptions of these characters are also really part of the setting. The office is cramped and uninspiring, and those who work there could be considered misfits. Turkey and Nippers together make one effective worker, and Ginger Nuts is nothing but a glorified errand boy, though he's supposed to be an apprentice. Once we meet them, the tone of the office is set and helps prepare us for the inimitable Bartleby the scrivener who "would prefer not to."

Describe Bartleby’s physical characteristics. How is his physical description a foreshadowing of what happens to him?
Bartleby's physical characteristics foreshadow his death. Bartleby is described as pale and thin. For Bartleby, his life itself is pointless and he cannot pretend enthusiasm as expressed by his actions. For example, when he is told to do something his response is “I would prefer not to,” and when he got fired from the firm he acted as if nothing happened. His lack of action showed that he didn’t care for what was going on

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