Herman Melvilles Story, Bartleby, the Scrivener Essay

In Herman Melvilles short story, Bartleby, the Scrivener, the narrators attitude towards Bartleby is constantly changing, the narrators attitude is conveyed through the authors use of literary elements such as; diction-descriptive and comical, point of view-first person, and tone-confusion and sadness. One of the literary elements that Melville uses that convey the narrators attitude towards Bartleby is diction. The authors diction in this short story is very descriptive and is also slightly comical. One of the ways this is used is when the author gently mocks the narrator by having him expose his flaws through his own words. For example, when the narrator talks of John Jacob Astor, a well respected man who complemented him, we†¦show more content†¦Diction is just one of the literary elements used in this short story which convey the narrators attitude towards Bartleby. Another literary element that is used to convey the narrators attitude towards Bartleby is through point o f view. In Bartleby, the Scrivener the point of view that is used is that of first person narration. By Melvilles use of first person narration it allows us to get close to Bartleby but still be confused and in awe of him and since we see him through the eyes of his employer we can quickly identify with the narrators confusing feelings over Bartleby. An example of this appears on page 127 in paragraph 6; I sat awhile in perfect silence, rallying my stunned faculties. Immediately it occurred to me that my ears had deceived me, or Bartleby had entirely misunderstood my meaning. I repeated my request in the clearest tone I could assume; but in quite as clear a one came the previous reply, I would prefer not to. Here Bartleby has just refused orders from his boss who sits at his desk stunned at wheat he has just heard. This is not the only time throughout the story in which Bartleby does this and always with the same words; I would prefer not to which only frustrates and confuses the na rrator. 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