Bartleby, the Scrivener

The narrator is Bartleby’s employer, an elderly lawyer who describes himself as “unambitious” and “an eminently safe man” (3). We know nothing about his physical appearance aside from his age. At the beginning of his tale, the narrator has been bestowed the office of Master of Chancery and finds himself in need of another scrivener. He quickly hires Bartleby, seeing something of his own sedate nature in him compared to his other two scriveners, Turkey and Nippers.

The narrator is the only round and complex character in “Bartleby,” at times feeling compelled to protect Bartleby but at other times repulsed by Bartleby’s behavior. As the lawyer narrates the story of his bizarre scrivener Bartleby, readers are invited to compare the two men. Bartleby becomes a foil to the narrator’s personality and socioeconomic situation: Bartleby is poor while the narrator is rich, and Bartleby is unyielding while the narrator succumbs to social pressure and his wavering conscience. Bartleby becomes a fixture of the narrator’s life, helping him feel at ease in his office through his friendly presence.

The narrator is, at first, an active character. He hires Bartleby, commands Bartleby and the other scriveners, and investigates Bartleby. As the