How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
I was touched. I said something in condolence with him. I hinted that of course he did wisely in abstaining from writing for a while… (2.133)
The narrator feels badly for Bartleby because Bartleby's eyes are strained. Though, are Bartleby's eyes really strained? The narrator just assumes they are; Bartleby doesn't say so. The narrator makes up a sad, strained Bartleby to feel sorry with, just like how in "The Piazza", that narrator made up Marianna for us to feel sorry for. All these narrators make up stories just so we can say, "awwww, poor thing."
Quote #2
But when this old Adam of resentment rose in me and tempted me concerning Bartleby, I grappled him and threw him. How? Why, simply by recalling the divine injunction: "A new commandment give I unto you, that ye love one another." Yes, this it was that saved me. Aside from higher considerations, charity often operates as a vastly wise and prudent principle—a great safeguard to its possessor. Men have committed murder for jealousy's sake, and anger's sake, and hatred's sake, and selfishness' sake, and spiritual pride's sake; but no man that ever I heard of, ever committed a diabolical murder for sweet charity's sake. Mere self-interest, then, if no better motive can be enlisted, should, especially with high-tempered men, prompt all beings to charity and philanthropy. (2.167)
The lawyer quotes the Bible's injunction to love one another. But the argument for love here isn't really on moral grounds, but on the grounds that you'll get into trouble if you're not compassionate. And is it really compassion if you decide to be compassionate out of selfishness? It seems like a very business-oriented, profit-maximizing kind of charity. Maybe that's why Bartleby doesn't respond so well to it.
Quote #3
Ah, Bartleby! Ah, humanity! (2.252)
Sympathy for Bartleby creates compassion for the sad, isolated fate of all people. But…doesn't it seem a little excessive? Is the narrator really sorry for Bartleby, or does he just enjoy playing with Bartleby as a symbol for all suffering folks? Compassion for all humanity seems like it supersedes compassion for poor Bartleby.