Point of View

Who tells the story? - the first person narrator, who is flawed but human…He's reliable, we trust him. His actions definitely support what he tells us about himself; especially the part about being a man who likes to take the "easy" way. What else is gained by telling this story from the Boss's perspective? Why not Bartleby's perspective? Why not one of the other clerks?


Bartelby the Scrivener is written in first person point of view by the narrator (lawyer). As said in the question, the lawyer's actions really does support everything he tells us. For instance in the story, the lawyer shows his sympathetic side by protecting Bartelby and letting him work independently in the office so no one could abuse him. It's beneficial to have the story told in first person point of view because it lets us readers engage in the feelings of the protagonist (lawyer). I believe Bartelby's point of view would be better because, us eager readers would finally know why Bartelby says his infamous line "I prefer not to". I believe that by having the story told in major characters point of view make the tone of the story mature and humorous.The two major characters Bartelby and the lawyer are both mature adults. However, the minor characters are immature adults and would make the story less amusing.