Through Bartleby the Scrivener Story, Melville successfully portrayed an eccentric but also extremely pitiful Bartleby character. A character goes against everything that is normal just because he 'prefers'. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original EssayThe refrain "I'd rather not" was repeated by Bartleby because it was in his subconscious. It had crept into Bartleby's head the moment he sat down at the closed desk, where the dim light filtered through the dark wall. At the beginning of the story Bartleby appears as a thin and pale man but very professional and reliable at work. He diligently copied a large number of documents and did not want to stop. Bartleby even grabbed the copy "and proceeded with the deal without the slightest delay" when there were no instructions from a lawyer. But until the lawyer asked Bartleby to look over a small piece of paper, the work he described as “It is a very dull, laborious and lethargic business. I can easily imagine that for some sanguine temperaments it would be quite intolerable. Bartleby politely replied in a gentle, but also extremely confident tone: "I would rather not." A polite refusal surprised the lawyer and everyone. But somehow, that polite refusal affected everyone in the office without them knowing. When Turkey said to the lawyer: "I think if he would rather drink a liter of good beer every day" and the lawyer also responded enthusiastically: "So you spoke too." Then one day, when Bartleby's eyesight worsened and he gradually lost motivation. Bartleby decided to do nothing but stare out the window at the wall. Perhaps Bartleby's loss of motivation stems from the lack of communication and concern among employees in the office. The details of Bartleby's workplace say it somewhat: “I procured a tall green folding screen, which could completely isolate Bartleby from my sight, but not keep him from my voice. And so, in a certain sense, privacy and society were joined." The image of the dividing wall is probably a metaphor for the difficulties, the obstacle that Bartleby must overcome to have a normal life. Furthermore, Bartleby's rejection also means fighting for his ideal and his class. Bartleby had worked at the Dead Letter Office in the past and dismissal due to changes in government had affected Bartleby. Causing him to become depressed and unmotivated. Bartleby becomes a closed person "he never spoke except to answer", "he refused to say who he was, or where he came from, or whether he had relatives in the world" or "he never went out for a walk, unless in reality was the current case.” Furthermore, Bartleby only eats ginger to survive the day. This was the only help Bartleby wanted from his colleague. Bartleby simply refuses to leave the lawyer's office and house to be locked in the tombs. Because he doesn't want to change anything. "No: for the moment I would prefer not to make any changes." Perhaps when Bartleby worked at the Dead Letter Office, even if it was a job boring, he probably didn't want to change. He had to leave anyway because of the change of government. So far every change has frightened Bartleby. 'around, through the narrow cracks of the windows lies the prison'. It's like the image of Bartleby in the office looking out the window. Bartleby always seems to be trapped in depression. And he was actually released when he died, with his eyes.