Bartleby the Scrivener Questions

Bring on the tough stuff - there’s not just one right answer.

  1. Why is the Narrator consistently sympathetic to Bartleby? What does this fact tell us about his character?
  2. What does Bartleby's inaction signify? What might he represent?
  3. What is the role of the three other office employees – Turkey, Nippers, and Ginger Nut – in the Narrator's story?
  4. Is there a "hero" in this story? If so, who is it?
  5. Why, in your opinion, does Bartleby die at the end of the story?