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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
mysterious
Loved this one. Honestly, I usually don't feel like my literary criticism is worth getting out into the world, but with this story, I had so many ideas. I wrote an essay comparing it to Thoreau's "On the Duty of Civil Disobedience," and though it was 10 pages, it came out so much easier than anything I've written for a while. The big question was this: Bartleby, man or machine?
I also love Melville's subtle quips about Turkey and Nippers, about comfortably wealthy men like the narrator. I really need to get to Moby Dick soon, though I know that's a very different *beast.* (Pun intended.)
I also love Melville's subtle quips about Turkey and Nippers, about comfortably wealthy men like the narrator. I really need to get to Moby Dick soon, though I know that's a very different *beast.* (Pun intended.)
Strange little book. I liked the narrator’s voice and found some parts funny.
funny
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
To give this story its due I would have to go over the many, many times in life I have asked another person, "have you ever read Bartleby the Scrivener?" as an answer to questions about other colleagues, friends, and casual acquaintences. Bartleby is a universal character, not entirely exasperating, not entirely relatable, yet somehow more appropriate than any other literary archetype since Shakespeare. What is his superpower? Showing up every day and refusing to do anything at his job. That's it. When I was in ninth grade, this was ridiculous to my restless imagination. The years have transformed him into a lovely flower in the literary garden of the post-industrial world, as well as practical shorthand for that all-too-common person who has found no worthwhile place in our society.
funny
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
I would prefer not to
challenging
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes