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Source: gastoncavalleri.com

In class this week, we read Bartleby, the Scrivener by Herman Melville. This story is one of my favorite American literature stories of all time. I just love the entire premise of the story, and Bartleby is a character that really intrigues me.

I read this at one point in an American Literature class. This week, I read this in my American Political Thought class. I understood why we read this in my American Lit class, but I am beyond confused as to why this is in American Political Thought.

My teacher flat out told us there is no right answer as to how Bartleby relates to American politics, yet there are a bunch of small, nuanced answers. When I researched, I found something about a passive aggressive paradox the idea that democracy is so incredibly passive aggressive, nothing ever truly gets done. Sure, I can see this. Another classmate brought up the idea that democracy surrounds freedom of choice, which Bartleby had. Democracy supports freedom of choice, like Bartlebys boss, much to the detriment of his company and Bartlebys character. One student even brought up the idea of confusion in democracy; the story is filledwith the confusion that ensues when Bartleby stops doing his job. Democracy is confusing and messy, much like this office was. It could even be a critique of capitalism because the office is working Bartleby and the other scriveners in a mundane job where they are miserable.

I know I have readers who have read Bartleby before. If not, it might be worth your time to look up the story and familiarize yourself with it. Its quite a good read. What do you think is the relation between Bartleby and democracy? If there are no right answers, I want to hear what people think. I think the more discourse we can get going on the topic, the better understanding we can all have. Myself included, Im stumped.

So, tell me what you think. What is the relationship between Bartleby and democracy?

See the article here:
Bartleby's significance to democracy. - Albany Times Union (blog)