https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwiA8nC9C0w
1:25-1:50
“Nothing so aggravates an earnest person as a passive resistance. If the individual so resisted be of a not inhumane temper, and the resisting one perfectly harmless in his passivity; then, in the better moods of the former, he will endeavor charitably to construe to his imagination what proves impossible to be solved by his judgment. Even so, for the most part, I regarded Bartleby and his ways”
This video shows a modern trailer from a 2001 remake of Bartleby. I chose his video because it was a very interesting thing to see the work and words come onto life in a form of visual representation. The video vaguely, the beginning, reminded me of having a 1984 (by George Orwell) vibe to it. The video was dreary and the colors are very monotone, it felt similar to the uniformity in 1984. From my original interpretation of the text, before reading explanations, I believed that the story was just about a man who was defiant against a boss. The defiance was just strange. This video however, backs up the idea that maybe Bartleby is meant to be shown as a symbol of defiance against the changing times in Wall Street. I enjoy how the video shows in the beginning, just a “normal” life of the people working at the office. Initially nothing is defined and it is shown as just any office rather than that particularly of the lawyers office. The video is very humorous as well, showing hilarious things that happen throughout the office normally. Then, when Bartleby comes, the mood and music begin to change. The scenes from 0:53 through 1:25 begin to show the different personalities of the characters. I found it extremely helpful seeing the characters in action. However, I found the part from 1:25 to 1:50 to be the most interesting. It very clearly shows how Bartleby begins to affect the lawyer and put a nudge into his daily lifestyle. It emphasizes the idea that, as the author lawyer says, “nothing so aggravates an earnest person as a passive resistance.” Bartleby is an average person, if not for the fact that he doesn’t wish to do the things that are told. Due to this, his actions are seen as passive aggressive and it puts a toll on the people working in the office and the lawyer. I believe this really shows how a small defiance my lead to things going to extremely disastrous endings. This video brings comedy and humor into the text to show us the main points of Bartleby. I think it does a great job in explaining the different characters and points of the story, as well as makes me want to watch the actual movie.