An anti-hero can be defined , is a protagonist who lacks conventional heroic qualities such as idealism, courage, or morality. These characters are usually considered “conspicuously contrary to an archetypal hero”. Famous anti-heros from literature include Holden from The Catcher in the Rye, Jay Gatsby, and many more. Throughout Melville’s “Bartleby, the Scrivener”, Bartleby’s actions depict that him as an anti-hero as lacks the conventional aforementioned heroic qualities. Throughout the story, Bartleby had the opportunities to take on the role of becoming a hero but did not choose to do so as he continued to show characteristics that are commonly attributed to anti-heros. One of the most defining characteristics that indicates that Bartleby is anti-hero is his lack of courage and not doing anything even though he knows something is wrong. Bartleby accepts his current role as a common office worker and hates this life but he lacks any type of courage or confidence to fix this issue.
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It seems that your argument for Bartleby being an anti-hero only revolves around the fact that he lacks all the conventional attributes of a real hero. In my opinion that is a flawed view of an anti-hero because although they might lack all these qualities, they continue living their lives and being who they are. An anti-hero wouldn’t simply just surrender and give up on life because times get rough. The action of just conceding one’s life and accepting death is one of a coward, and not deservant of the heroic label. Therefore, I believe that the argument for Bartleby being an anti-hero is severely flawed and misleading, because with this logic almost every person could be classified as a hero.
Although Bartleby may be seen as a coward, I think the reason he invokes sympathy from the narrator and his readers is because we can all relate to his attitude. When life becomes a routine, we all tend to become slightly depressed. He loses hope, and he develops a very passive attitude. He may be in serious need of help, as his mental state shows; therefore many view him as an anti-hero. He is enveloped in his own reality.
I agree with you that Bartlby hates life and hates his job, and is to scared to fix the issue.
Bartley seems like a hopeless character and not someone to look up too. He never accomplished anything in life, and nearly died alone.