ns was a wall. (pg 110-111) This quotation demonstrates Bartlebys total isolation from society, for even his window, usually a form of escape, traps Bartelby behind another wall, which thus reinforces absolute isolation. Ultimately, every aspect of Bartlebys life further expounds upon the motif of solitude. Bartalbys attempt to exercise his freewill eventually leads him into an even more alienated state as he estranges himself from his coworkers and his boss, the narrator. This resulted from a refusal to follow the orders of the narrator, for he refused to work or even communicate with him. His only response soon became I would prefer not to, which shows his lack of involvement and in turn his decision not to interact in society, for he gave up what little life he still had. Ultimately, what he was doing, was preferring not to live, but instead just exist. Melville, is thus commenting on the work force by demonstrating through Bartlebys continual descend into the abysmal, society confines you behind walls and that if you give in and choose to stop living you will waste away as Bartleby did. Consequently, Bartleby after having alienated himself so fully was then left to his own devices. Since he will not quit me, I must quit him. I will change my offices; I will move elsewhere. (pg 132-133) He was deserted completely, for he was no longer living. He continued to breathe, he continued to exist, but he was no longer of any use to society. As he severs himself from humanity, Bartleby is unaware of the consequences. However, these consequences as displayed by Melville, comment upon the impact that the work force can have upon mankind. Through Bartleby, he demonstrates that once you give up on life, everyone around will give up on you in turn, as the narrator did with Bartleby, for you have become an obstruction, much like the walls surrounding Bartleby. In the end, his self-will was what led him to death. For his decision to withdraw from ...
