what oes the lawyer do for bartleby

The lawyer does try to help him. Instead of summarily firing Bartleby or throwing him out on the street when the odd behavior begins, he makes every effort to talk to Bartleby and get to the source of the problem. But nothing comes of it.

Full Answer

How does the lawyer deal with Bartleby?

The Lawyer arranges for Bartleby to be fed good food in jail, but Bartleby refuses to eat. Finally, one day, the narrator visits Bartleby, who has fallen asleep under a tree in the prison yard. The Lawyer goes to speak to him and discovers Bartleby is dead.

Why does the lawyer hire Bartleby?

Bartleby comes to the office to answer an ad placed by the Lawyer, who at that time needed more help. The Lawyer hires Bartleby and gives him a space in the office. At first, Bartleby seems to be an excellent worker.

How does the lawyer change in Bartleby the Scrivener?

With the sudden changes of Bartleby, the Lawyer feels overpowered, and it is like he does not have any power over his employees like Bartleby. Marcus explains that Bartleby is a psychological double for the Lawyer. The author says that Bartlebys power over the Lawyer quickly grows as the story progresses (Marcus 1).

What does the narrator do for Bartleby?

Looking through Bartleby's things, the Narrator's feelings change from pity to fear, and he resolves to give Bartleby some money and send him away from the office for good. The next day, the Narrator attempts to pry into Bartleby's personal life and history, but the scrivener prefers not to say anything about himself.

What does the lawyer offer Bartleby?

The Lawyer offers Bartleby the 20-dollar bonus and tells him he must go. Bartleby replies that he would prefer not to. The Lawyer tells him he must, but Bartleby sits there silently. The Lawyer gives Bartleby all the money the scrivener is owed, plus the 20-dollar bonus.

What does the lawyer say about Bartleby writing?

The Lawyer then mentions that an important part of a scrivener’s job is to re-read what they have written in order to check for mistakes.

What does Ginger Nut say to Bartleby?

Finally, The Lawyer asks Ginger Nut what he thinks, and Ginger Nut replies that Bartleby is a “luny.”. So, The Lawyer again turns toward Bartleby’s screen, and urges Bartleby to come out and do his “duty.”. However, Bartleby neither replies nor emerges from his desk.

How old is Nippers in The Lawyer?

Next, The Lawyer details his employee Nippers, who is also a scrivener. Nippers is about twenty-five years old, has yellow complexion, wears a mustache, and, in The Lawyer’s view, is “victim of two evil powers—ambition and indigestion.”.

What does the lawyer find on Bartleby's desk?

The Lawyer searches the desk, and finds that Bartleby’s papers are neatly laid out. However, beneath the papers, The Lawyer finds an old knotted handkerchief.

What is the lawyer's story?

The Lawyer’s storytelling is, in itself, an example of language failing to properly communicate. Active Themes. The Lawyer then states that he is a lawyer, and describes his business as focusing around “rich men’s bonds, and mortgages, and title deeds.”.

Does Bartleby resist?

Of course, Bartleby passively resists, and in escaping behind his screen (a make-shift wall), he disconnects himself, at least momentarily, from the rest of the office. Active Themes. The Lawyer stands there, unsure what to do. Finally he advances toward the screen, and asks Bartleby why he refuses.

Why does Bartleby refuse the lawyer's aid?

When he refuses the Lawyer’s aid he also builds a wall between himself and the rest of the world. He does not want the Lawyer to become a part of his world. He is an idealist.

Why is Bartleby so active?

However, because Bartleby is so active and brave in his wish to protect his principles and his life, he influences and changes everyone around him: “Somehow, of late I had got into the way of involuntary using this word ‘prefer’ upon all sorts of not exactly suitable occasions.

What does Melville try to prove in Bartleby?

Many people also cannot understand why he behaves this way. Melville tries to prove that Bartleby has his principles and cannot betray them.

Why is Bartleby the Scrivener so weird?

Herman Melville’s Bartleby the Scrivener is a confusing work of literature. Some researchers think that in the story Melville described himself. Some others think that this is because of madness that Bartleby behaves so weird and finally, dies. In reality, Bartleby refuses to check some copies, but that cannot mean he is mad.

What would happen if Bartleby was insane?

If Bartleby were insane, he would not be able to preserve balance and calmness. If he were insane he would be more emotional with the Lawyer. Moreover, he is very confident that his principles of life are very correct. If he were not that confident, he would not make the Lawyer so much curious about himself.

What is the conclusion of Bartleby the Scrivener?

Conclusion Herman Melville’s Bartleby the Scrivener is one of the most confusing works of literature. On the one hand, readers cannot understand who Bartleby is, who he was, and who he wants to be. On the other hand, everything we read about Bartleby looks like the story about a mad man. In reality, it is not madness, ...

What does Bartleby see when he refuses to check copies?

When he refuses to check the copies he does not show that is he worried or disturbed. He sees that the Lawyer is getting very angry and disturbed. He also sees that the Lawyer is becoming very irritated. If Bartleby were insane, he would not be able to preserve balance and calmness.