1. Herman Melville

2. Herman Melville American novelist, short story writer, and poet.
American novelist, short story writer, and poet.
One of the most famous writers during the Romanticism movement in American literature.
Spent time traveling the world from During this time, he worked on a ship.
He found success as a writer early in his life, but later became unpopular.
Died at the age of 72 in New York City.

3. Famous Works: Typee (1846) Moby Dick (1851) Omoo (1847)
The Piazza Tales (1856):
- “Benito Cereno”
- “Bartleby, the Scrivener”
Billy Budd

4. “Bartleby, the Scrivener”
Short story published in The Piazza Tales in 1856.
The story takes place in Manhattan, New York City during the 1850s.
A lawyer hires a new clerk to help him in his office. Slowly, the lawyer becomes worried for his new clerk.
“I would prefer not to.”
The lawyer is the narrator of the short story.

5. “Scrivener” A clerk, notary, or scribe.
Bartleby is a “scrivener” in the lawyer’s office.

6. Ah, Bartleby! Ah, humanity!
Questions to consider while watching:
Humans have the ability to make complex choices. What complex choices were made or not made in “Bartleby?”
What rules and regulations guide our everyday lives? What happens when these rules or regulations are broken?
What happens to human beings when they are isolated? Do we all need human contact? What happened to Bartleby when he was isolated?
How are morality and ethics shown in “Bartleby?” What are we supposed to learn about morality and ethics based on the story?