Bartleby the Scrivener (Classic Literature)

We all have internal worlds, which are more or less adjusted to the outside world. But what happens when internal passions begin to take over, squeezing out our normal reality? Herman Melville's dark and riveting story tells the tale of Bartleby, and his descent down the rungs of the ladder of sanity into darkness. It was written during one of the lowest points of Melville's life, and reflects his own depression over his apparently failed career. The story is narrated by a successful Wall Street lawyer, who hires Bartleby to transcribe legal documents. Although Bartleby begins as a dedicated employee, he one day responds "I would prefer not to" when asked to do a proofreading job. From there he slips steadily, "preferring not to" do more and more things that are asked of him. He gradually withdraws from the living, to a world unfathomable by others. He loses his job, refuses help from those around him, and eventually dies destitute in prison, unable or unwilling to help himself in any way.