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275: Herman Melville's "Bartleby the Scrivener"

Classical Stuff You Should Know

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The Isolation of Bartleby

This chapter examines the profound loneliness of Bartleby, who eschews societal norms by refusing to leave the office. The narrator's journey from compassion to repulsion highlights the complexities of empathy in the face of despair. Through the exploration of themes like isolation and passive resistance, the chapter ultimately reflects on the existential struggles faced by both Bartleby and the narrator.

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