Herman Melvilles Wall Street Essay examples -- essays research papers

The Lawyer embraces life and does everything in his power to help his fellow man. This is what I see in this individual. Herman Melville's short story " Bartleby the Scrivener, A Story of Wall Street" is one in which the main character is virtuous by nature. The Lawyer is so tolerant of Turkey and Nipper's unusual behaviors that he showers them with kindness. His kind nature is tested even further by Bartleby's behavior. It seems perfectly obvious that the Lawyer goes out of his way to be sensitive to Bartleby's needs. The Lawyer at first allows Bartleby to hold off performing certain duties and then from all duties. Soon the Lawyer allows his office to become Bartleby's sleeping quarters and then even invites Bartleby to live with him at his own house. The Lawyer tries to be a true Christian throughout the story and is very understanding and compassionate to those around him. Here is a man whose goal is the well being of his friends in the office. Turkey at sunrise would be calm and hard working. It is in the afternoon that he is reckless when handling the Lawyer's papers. The Lawyer describes him, "In the morning, one might say, his face was of a fine florid hue, but after twelve o'clock, meridian-his dinner hour-it blaze like a grate full of Christmas coals" (Melville 452). So as not to cause any problems, the Lawyer decides not to give his "important papers" to him in the afternoon ...