![]() Our narrator is a lawyer who employs two copywriters-a lost profession in which men with good handwriting would make copies of legal documents-who have problems with alcohol. We learn about Bartleby via his unnamed employer. We don’t know the answer to the unasked question: what would Bartleby prefer? We know very well what Bartleby would prefer not to do. Now I think I see why readers are so endlessly fascinated by this story. Do them anyway.” So this was my impression of Herman Melville’s story Bartleby, the Scrivener. I confess that I only picked it up because it was so short and I didn’t have enough time to read another pre-1950 classic for my monthly reader’s resolution goal. ![]() ![]() The response to this usually some variation on, “Tough, kid. It reminds me of a kid whose parents have just asked them to do their chores. Bartleby’s refrain always struck me as petulant. “I would prefer not to.” I’ve seen this phrase all over the bookish internet: on totes, mugs, t-shirts. ![]()
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