Organizational Behavior
What is the Boss up against in relation to Bartleby? What does Bartleby represent? Who are the major players in the story? What do we know about them? Are they likable? Sympathetic? Realistic?
Bartleby's employer is dealing with the hopes that this person can help to represent a change in the atmosphere of his office. As the other two scriveners are moody and often bring added amounts of drama to the business. Bartleby represents the sense of hope and disappointment of the narrator for this character. The major players of the story include: the narrator, Nippers, Turkey and Bartleby. We know that Nippers suffers from chronic indigestion, Turkey is alcoholic and Bartleby is an underachiever. The only character that is likable is the narrator. There is no sympathy for them. This is because they all have various hang ups that effects their quality of life. The story is not realistic, due to the fact that the narrator moves his business when Bartleby refuses to stop living there. No one should allow this to happen. (Melville, 2006)
What is the function of the story's minor characters?
They are helping to support the underlying plot of the story and the complex relationships between the main characters. (Melville, 2006)
How does the Boss react when Bartleby repeatedly refuses to perform his duties? What is the Boss's dilemma?
He is surprised at first. Then, he begins to have a sense of sympathy. The Boss's dilemma is that he is letting his sympathy for Bartleby affect his business (which is creating added expenses and frustrations). (Melville, 2006)
Why does the Boss have sympathy for Bartleby? What do you recommend the Boss do?
The reason why the Boss has sympathy for Bartleby is because, he believes that he has been through a number of bad situations that contributed to the problem. It is recommended that the Boss should tell Bartleby to begin acting more responsibly or he will be forced to leave. (Melville, 2006)
Exactly why does Bartleby always "prefer not to?" Describe Bartleby's behavior. Why can't he make friends or communicate? What is at the heart of his rebellion?
Bartleby does not want to work or doing anything that will allow him to take control of his life. The best way to describe this individual is dysfunctional and it is obvious that he may suffer from some kind of mental disorder. The reason why he refuses to make friends as well as communicate is because; he becomes more withdrawn and delusional in the story. The heart of his rebellion is his desire to do nothing and live off of what others have achieved in their lives. (Melville, 2006)
Are there any ironies in the story that you could point out? Are there any paradoxes?
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