Bartleby, the Scrivener

by Herman Melville

Bartleby, the Scrivener: Style 1 key example

Style
Explanation and Analysis:

Melville’s writing style in “Bartleby, the Scrivener” is highly descriptive and philosophical. Take, for example, the following passage that comes after the Lawyer realizes Bartleby has been living at his office:

For the first time in my life a feeling of overpowering stinging melancholy seized me. Before, I had never experienced aught but a not-unpleasing sadness. The bond of a common humanity now drew me irresistibly to gloom. A fraternal melancholy! For both I and Bartleby were sons of Adam. I remembered the bright silks and sparkling faces I had seen that day, in gala trim, swan-like sailing down the Mississippi of Broadway; and I contrasted them with the pallid copyist, and thought to myself, Ah, happiness courts the light, so we deem the world is gay; but misery hides aloof, so we deem that misery there is none.