Bartleby, the Scrivener
Tuesday, June 24th, 2025 | Books
Bartleby, the Scrivener is a short story by Herman Melville. It tells the story of a lawyer who hires a new member of staff, Bartleby. At first Bartleby works hard but gradually refuses to do any work or even leave the office, answering each request with “I would prefer not do”.
It’s well worth a read. For me, the exploration of the psychological processes the lawyer goes through in responding to such a situation are both relatable and fascinating.

Bartleby, the Scrivener is a short story by Herman Melville. It tells the story of a lawyer who hires a new member of staff, Bartleby. At first Bartleby works hard but gradually refuses to do any work or even leave the office, answering each request with “I would prefer not do”.
It’s well worth a read. For me, the exploration of the psychological processes the lawyer goes through in responding to such a situation are both relatable and fascinating.