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“Bartleby The Self-Reliant Scrivener” - College Essays

“Bartleby The Self-Reliant Scrivener”

The concept of “self reliance” used by Emerson helps explain some aspect of Bartleby the scrivener, because it helps to give us some understanding of why he keeps himself isolated from others. It explains how Bartleby, is actually just being himself and being “self reliant” rather than conforming to society.
After reading “Bartleby” you first think he is crazy, a little out of touch with society. You think who is he, why does he always say, “he prefers not too”. It is confusing, because you don’t quite know what to think of Bartleby. “Self Reliance” by Emerson helps to explain why Bartleby may be the way he is. It sheds light to the fact that Bartleby may just be following his own ...

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begins to fit many of the characteristics Emerson uses to describe “self reliance”.
In “self reliance” Emerson says, “Society is a joint stock company, in which the members agree, for the better securing of his bread to each shareholder, to surrender the liberty and culture of the eater. The virtue in most requests is conformity. Self-reliance is its aversion.” This statement helps to explain who Bartleby is. Bartleby does not surrender his liberty and culture in order to secure his “bread”, but rather to act independently not conforming, to be a part of this “joint stock company”. Bartleby appears to be after Self-reliance, not conformity, as most are. He is not interested in earning lots of money or becoming successful. He is interested only in himself and what he truly feels. He doesn’t follow societies' rules. Rather, his own set of ideas where he “prefers not to” do anything. Whenever he is asked to do anything, including what is part of his job, he always says, ...

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“Bartleby The Self-Reliant Scrivener”. (2006, June 27). Retrieved January 19, 2026, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Bartleby-The-Self-Reliant-Scrivener/48225

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"“Bartleby The Self-Reliant Scrivener”." Essayworld.com. June 27, 2006. Accessed January 19, 2026. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Bartleby-The-Self-Reliant-Scrivener/48225.

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PAPER DETAILS

Added: 6/27/2006 04:12:24 AM
Category: English
Type: Premium Paper
Words: 1223
Pages: 5

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