(Just a note: A few of you were listed on the group’s title, but did not provide a post. If you were in this situation, you did not receive credit for being present.)
You make some interesting, and sometimes provocative, comments, when discussing both Bartleby and the narrator as one kind of hero or another.
Traditional Hero:
Interestingly, none of you defended Bartleby as a traditional hero!
Anti-hero: Radia; Zeyu; Brian; Roshelle; Kamran; Farhan;
Radia makes a good case for Bartleby as the anti-hero, when she points out that he actually remains in his comfort zone, instead of seeking out something else. Zeyu makes a compelling argument for this hero, when he says that Bartleby’s word choice is very purposeful, and his “preferring” not to, is actually a kind of active choice (and I’m wondering, here, if this does not defend Bartleby being a traditional hero). Brain makes a very interesting comment about Bartleby being “deranged,” and points to the fact that his eyes are “dazed.” Here, he says, Bartleby has become paralyzed with the realization of the meaninglessness of his life. Roshelle points out that Bartleby’s stopping everything puts him steadfastly in this category.
Kamran says that even though Bartleby’s presence shows that something is deeply wrong, he does nothing.
Satanic/Byronic hero: Mel; Denny; Sabera; Myra; Kelly; Crystal; Jonathan;
Mel provides a compelling piece of evidence for Bartleby as the Satanic/Byronic hero, when she points to the fact that Bartleby, when no longer employed, simply hangs out in the building, “sitting upon the banisters of the stairs by day.” Yes, the Satanic hero must do something that is socially unacceptable, and some people would say this fulfills that requirement. What do others think? Denny points out that Bartleby actually affects the morale of the others at work, and this is a good point, because the others start using Bartleby’s famous phrase. Crystal and Sabera suggest that simply the refusal to do work is socially unacceptable (because if everyone refused to work, there would be no society) and Jonathan goes on to state that Bartleby’s refusal is actually insubordination. Sabera points out that he was a diligent worker at one time, so that there seems to be a thought process going on in Bartleby. Myra says Bartleby’s act of rebellion was staring at a brick wall all day: is this Bartleby’s way of trying to communicate his dismay to the others? Kelly feels that Bartleby is innocent of any malicious intent, and just trying to stand up for himself, the only way he knows how.
Other: William; Chi;
William firmly believes that Bartleby is no hero at all, and that he is simply a “lazy character.” Indeed, Bartleby is inscrutable, and it’s difficult to read him, simply by his words and actions. We need to remember, however, that in the beginning, Bartleby isn’t at all lazy, and is in fact an “exceptional” worker, so that leaves room for ambiguity, but what do others think? Chi sees Bartleby as a “troubled” soul, who is ultimately difficult to analyze, and so, understandably, impossible to categorize.