Bartleby Food Symbolism

To answer the question on whether or not food is symbolic in the story written by Herman Melville, I would answer yes it is highly symbolic. In my opinion food represents capitalism in America. Unlike his colleagues who have names referencing food, Bartleby barely eats any food throughout the tale. Bartleby is also extremely opposite of his colleagues as well. Since the story’s setting takes place during the early Wall Street like environment, the constant referencing of food could be Melville’s story could represent a capitalist organization in America. The lawyer who portrays the narrator, analyzes situations with metaphors pertaining to food, weighing the outcomes of pros and cons, or simply, avoids the situation all together. If this theme of food does represent a capitalist scheme, it could mean it represents wants, needs and depravity of a successful life. The characters support this theory by their actions. Each character almost represents each desire to obtain success in life. They also represent other symbols which will be discussed later. This story commences with the narrator, the lawyer, introducing Turkey, Nipper and Ginger Nut. “In truth, they were nicknames, mutually conferred upon each other by my
“Rolled away under his desk, I found a blanket; under the empty grate, a blacking box and brush; on a chair, a tin basin with soap and ragged towel; in a newspaper a few crumbs of ginger-nuts and a morsel of cheese (p.143). Bartleby lives at his office and has become a severe recluse. Bartleby also barely eats and is never seen feeding or drinking. Shortly within time, Bartleby eventually stops performing his daily required duties by always answering with “I would prefer not to” to every request the lawyer demands; he is also mocked by his colleagues. However, he never expresses any emotion towards the