bilities " I prefer not to." His protest for the work was very direct and yet very passive. Bartleby seems to have a distinctive, dysfunctional personality. "But he wrote on silently, palely, mechanically". This passage shows the debilitating effects of such a depressed life. " I prefer not to." seemed to be the only verbal Davis 2communication he was capable of at the present time. Although he appeared to be referring to his work subconsciously his true feelings for death were stated as "I prefer not to." As the story continues it becomes obvious that Bartleby it becomes obvious that Bartleby could not be saved from himself, nor did he want help from anyone else. Bartleby seemed to put up a brick wall between himself and the world. He would not allow anyone into his self destructive detorating world."Strangely huddled at the base of the wall, his knees drawn up, and lying on his sides, his head touching the cold stone, I saw the wasted Bartleby." From this excerpt, we see that depression is a powerful and vengeful illness that caused Bartleby his life.. "And I trembled to think that my contact with the scrivener had already and seriously affected me in a mental way." Although it was Bartleby who was the victim of depression it had its ill effects on people around him. I found Bartleby the Scrivener a disturbing story due to it's reality. Bartleby like many people did not seek the assissitance that is available and viewed death as a cure. Depression can dramatically impair a person's ability to function in the work force as well as in social situations. Sometimes people view depression as a sign of personal weakness, and never see themselves as having the strength and desire to live life to their fullest potential. Bartleby possessed some good qualities, which he never realized, and he did not receive what he felt was just...
