In my opinion, if anyone would be the hero of the story it would be the narrator. His curiosity made him a traditional hero. He saw Bartleby was going through something that was causing him to perform badly at work and saw him suffering from his depression more and more as the days passed. While everyone was trying to kick him out of the office, the narrator remained curious and even offered him a place to stay at his house. Even after Bartleby declining his offer, the narrator shows compassion by bringing Bartleby turkey to eat. To me, a true hero is someone that sees someone going through a rough situation and takes initiative to help. The narrator is kind and gentle to Bartleby as he speaks to him and tries to take him home with him for the good of Bartleby. ‘“Bartleby,” said I, in the kindest tone I could assume under such exciting circumstances, “will you go home with me now- not to my office, but my dwelling- and remain there till we can conclude upon some convenient arrangement for you at our leisure? Come, let us start now, right away.” (Page 318) This part alone says a lot about the true character of the narrator, it shows he truly cares about Bartleby. He had many other options as far as what to do with Bartleby but he chose to open up his own doors to him. This is a true hero to me.
Nicole – Narrator as traditional hero
March 8, 2017 Written by n.mazza1 | 5 Comments
Categories: Uncategorized
5 responses so far ↓
f.furca // Mar 8th 2017 at 6:37 pm
I could see how you see the narrator as a hero. Most hero characteristics are someone who sees what everyone else doesn’t. I guess what the narrator saw as you said Bartleby someone who obviously wasn’t happy. The others just viewed him as strange and completely annoying when he would just repeat ” I prefer not to”. I loved it when you said “To me, a true hero is someone that sees someone going through a rough situation and takes initiative to help.” Also, I agree that the narrator did show some a lot more compassion toward Bartleby unlike Turkey and Nippers. Him always asking Bartleby if he was okay and what was wrong, really showed that he cared and has a heart. Your view on the narrator is very well described and shows me a different way of looking at the narrator, since I saw Bartleby as the hero in this story.
j.morreale // Mar 9th 2017 at 12:44 am
I also analyzed the narrator and I argued that he was an Anti-Hero since he did not help Bartleby. I thought there was a lot more the narrator could have done to help Bartleby but instead the narrator just left and found a new place to stay. After reading your post I now do agree with you that the narrator can be seen as a traditional hero since he did not kick him out and gave Bartleby a place to stay. The narrator did not attack or threaten Bartleby when he started to refuse to do work and would claim, “I would prefer not to.” So, you do make a good point in arguing that the narrator is a traditional hero.
b.samura // Mar 9th 2017 at 12:53 am
You’ve made a good point as to why the narrator could be a hero. I didn’t see the narrator a hero now , like you said he saw Bartlebly going through a rough time and he took the initiative to help him which is heroic of him because he took an act upon it. Also being that the other scriveners were trying to get Bartleby fired the narrator saw the “truth” – the benefits – in Bartleby and took an act by not firing him. Which is the perfect example why the narrator too can be seen as a traditional hero.
j.han6 // Mar 9th 2017 at 10:23 am
I think that Nicole’s point is amazing, even I have never tried to think of it. I just focused on Bartleby in the story and also write about him as a traditional hero. After reading your post, I feel like the narrator is also a traditional hero. He tries to see the truth and also acts by helping Bartleby. The narrator is different from the rest of characters who want to kick Bartleby out of office. Even though Bartleby does not keep following the narrator’s requests, he is generous and caring to Bartleby. Based on these evidences, the narrator is definitely a traditional hero in the story.
j.azcue // Mar 9th 2017 at 9:15 pm
After reading Nicole’s post I changed my mind a little bit. From my own perspective I see Bartleby as the satanic hero because he knew the truth about his reality and instead of reaching out for help or communicating he stopped working and he harm his employer. Now I see a more tender side from the narrator and completely understand why Nicole suggest he is the true hero in this short story. The narrator showed empathy towards Bartleby and he also offered to help him. Even though he got mad when he saw Bartleby sleeping in the stairs and asked him if he paid any taxes in other ocassions he did offer a hand to Bartleby who did not always deserve it by how he was behaving.
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