^^^watch this.
pre·fer (pr
-fûr
)tr.v. pre·ferred, pre·fer·ring, pre·fers
1. To choose or be in the habit of choosing as more desirable or as having more value: prefers coffee to tea.
I feel that there is an integral statement in the reading Bartleby The Scrivener, that statement is, I would Prefer not to; this statement isolates an action that humans can do and that would be their god given right to think for themselves. The definition of prefer is: to choose or be in the habit of choosing as more desirable or as having move value ex) prefers coffee or tea. This statement that is used in Bartleby encompasses many of the readings that I’ve done in this class thus far, a common ethos in a majority of the readings are the ability or the benefit of the main character making choices for themselves, or learning to make their own choices; this is recently seen in the Declaration of Independence where the founding fathers have the right to think for themselves and the decide that they would prefer not to be a colony under British rule. I feel that Bartleby is enlightened the same way how the founding fathers were enlightened and the same way how an individual like Candide became enlightened. It’s not that Bartleby isn’t doing his job, he is, just what he signed up for, Bartleby does nothing more and nothing less.
-Fabian Varcianna
I agree that Bartleby’s statement of “I prefer not to” encompasses many reading we have done in class so far. Bartleby is not following the norms of the way employees act in the work place. Not very often will you hear of someone tell their employer that they “prefer not to do” what is asked of them. He is doing the oppisite of what society is used to. This is just like how Baoyu opposed to become a scholar and study like all the men would in his society. The Lawyer is so suprised by this statement by Bartleby that he does not even know how to react. But why does Bartleby “prefer not to do” even the simpliest tasks such as going to the post office?
It is an interesting idea to make connection with the story of Bartleby and the Declaration of Independence. I also agree with the idea that most of our readings are about the ability or the benefit of the main character making choices for themselves. It also causes me to think about the end of Bartleby’s life. Nobody understands Bartleby’s mind. His behavior is crazy and cannot be understood by others. It is similar to Vincent Willem van Gogh, whose talent was not found by people until he left the world. Bartleby might not have the same talent as Van Gogh, but they might suffer the same feeling as Vincent. It could be miserable, lonely, and hopeless. The author left us many guesses on Bartleby’s death.
“I prefer not to” was also showed clearly that Bartleby was only do what he needed and wanted to do. If he did not want to do anything, he could have the right to say, “NO” and also had the courage to refuse. Even though, sometime he made other people to feel the misbehavior, he still did not have to say, ”YES” to everyone or everything that he did not want to.