Herman Melville's Bartleby: A Hero In The Capitalist

A Hero in the Capitalist State As readers come across Bartleby, the Scrivener, something immediately strikes them. Is it just the external appearance of this individual or is it his unorthodox behaviour which is a debatable matter to be inspected? American Author Herman Melville’s Bartleby, the Scrivener: A Story of Wall Street, which was published two centuries ago in 1853 in Putnam’s Magazine, shows striking resemblance, with contemporary individuals working in corporate houses. What sets Bartleby apart from the rest and makes him a hero is his innate ability to defy laws of the society and eventually take a final stance against the capitalist world. Bartleby’s occupation, surrounding, community, and the cityscape in itself contribute
Meaning, the natural beauty of the outside world could not be viewed due to these huge brick structures. The fresh air, natural light, and the elements of earth- none could penetrate. All that is available is artificial lighting and massive walls. In addition, the buildings are so tall that their heights almost seem to touch the skies, much like the capitalist ambition. However, in the process, the human souls suffer. These altitudes mean nothing more to them than a mere representation of the emerging capitalist state which is demoralising and killing the human
Hope will eventually emerge as the myth of Sisyphus advocates. When Sisyphus was punished by the Gods, at one point he gave up the fight as a futile waste of time and accepted it and with this a new hope was born. However, Bartleby’s condition is different. He does not find hope anywhere and decides to resign from life by submitting to death. From the moment in the Dead Letter Office up to the law chambers, Bartleby’s condition only worsens. His feeling of nothingness does not change, even the slightest bit, when he comes face to face with the capitalist society in Wall