Bartleby The Scrivener Freedom Analysis

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The Many Facets of Freedom What compels men to fight? Why do millions of people lay down their lives? What idea could resonate so deeply in human beings that it becomes the final word on their dying lips? Freedom. Often humanity’s deepest desire, the tantalizing idea of being free inspires men; some passionately hurl themselves into revolutionary battles while others speak, paint, or write to honor their cause. As such a powerful and unifying force, the idea of being free is an inexhaustible universal theme in literature. Though many authors explicitly call for action or blatantly deride injustice and inequality in their writing, freedom is masked as an obscure theme in some stories. In Kate Chopin’s “The Story of an Hour,” Herman Melville’s …show more content…
Generally, the image of a freedom fighter is physical: a fierce and determined soldier or a revolutionist crying out for his cause. Melville’s hero Bartleby is not a physical freedom fighter; his battle is mental. A wealthy lawyer who employs Bartleby narrates his peculiar experience with the scrivener. Initially, the forlorn and distant Bartleby copies law documents at an impressive rate, but after time, refuses to complete any work, answering requests with the frustratingly disinterested statement “I prefer not to.” Though at first confusing, Bartleby’s calm reply is an unassuming protest for freedom. His catchphrase is delivered in such a civil manner that the lawyer cannot force Bartleby to work nor can he vacate the “ghost” from the premises. In refusing to perform any tasks the lawyer demands of him, Bartleby achieves his own kind of freedom. Even though he uses his freedom to stare blankly at a wall, his mind, into which he has receded, is free. There is no might that can shake Bartleby from his unreachable state. When Bartleby is asked to go to prison, he complies willingly; because it is his choice, he maintains his freedom. To the scrivener, being free means making his own choices, and though Bartleby’s existence appears miserable and aimless, he experiences the incredible privilege of absolute mental freedom. Exercising his privilege, he refuses to eat in the jail and eventually …show more content…
Set in America’s most popular grocery store, the A&P, the story unfolds in the 1960s. Sammy, one of the A&P’s cashiers, narrates, and the story begins with three young girls dressed in swimsuits strutting into the grocery store. The girls’ attire is acceptable and seemingly harmless from a modern perspective. However, in the 1960s, Americans held very conservative ideals; women wore stockings and never dared to expose their bare shoulders, and men were always expected to wear ties outside of the house. Already, the girls seem to be rebelling against their rigid society. Lead by a fearless beauty who Sammy nicknames “Queenie,” the girls deliberately cause an upset with their attire. They sashay sunburned and barefoot against the tide of clueless “sheep” flooding the aisles of the A&P. Sammy describes Queenie’s opposing gait as “testing the floor with every step, putting a little deliberate extra action into it.” Her hesitantly confident footsteps indicate that she is one of the many rebellious youths of the time period; she is challenging society’s rules and exploring her boundaries. As the girls near the checkout, Lengel, the manager of the A&P and a symbol of authority, catches sight of their provocative ensemble. Lengel accuses them of embarrassing indecency, but Queenie counters his accusation retorting, “we are decent.” Queenie stands up for herself and her friends;
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