Clase: "Bartleby" de Herman Melville (parte 1 de 4)

Introduction to Bartleby by Melville

Overview of Melville's Work

• Melville is described as a "dark" writer with almost biblical dimensions, and his texts are often constructed like parables.

• The discussion introduces the character of Captain Ahab from "Moby Dick," emphasizing themes of negativity and existential struggle.

Contextualizing Modernity

• "Bartleby" was published anonymously in 1853, reflecting modern precepts at the end of the 19th century. The speaker aims to explore what modernity means in this context.

• Reference is made to Fredric Jameson's article on deconstruction, contrasting two historical moments through Van Gogh's and Warhol's paintings, representing modernity and postmodernity respectively.

Modernity vs Postmodernity

Characteristics of Modern Art

• Jameson argues that Van Gogh’s painting reflects historical social conditions, showcasing agricultural misery, while Warhol’s work lacks depth and emphasizes commodity fetishism in advanced capitalism.

• The famous painting "The Scream" by Edvard Munch symbolizes major modernist themes such as alienation and societal fragmentation amidst urbanization. This period is characterized by grand narratives that seek to explain totalities in society.

Transitioning to Postmodern Thought

• In contrast, postmodernism declares an end to grand narratives; reality can only be accessed in fragmented ways now. Themes like alienation and isolation emerge prominently during the rise of large cities where anonymity can lead to liberation but also loneliness.

• Jameson’s analysis suggests that characteristics defining modern aesthetics include depth through historical context versus superficial treatment seen in postmodern aesthetics marked by irony and pastiche styles.

Exploring Bartleby: The Scrivener

Role of the Protagonist

• The protagonist is identified as a scrivener or copyist rather than a traditional writer, which raises questions about authorship and literary practice at the end of the 19th century. This distinction will be explored further throughout the program.

Literary Self-Reference and Modernity

The Concept of Self-Referential Literature

• The discussion begins with the notion that self-referential writing is a modern gesture, highlighting moments in texts where they point to themselves. These fragments are deemed significant for understanding literature's self-awareness.

• The speaker emphasizes the importance of identifying passages where the text discusses its own nature or writing process, suggesting these instances reveal deeper insights into literary consciousness.

Language and Realism

• A reference is made to John Jacob Astor, illustrating how certain names resonate within literature, akin to a formalist perspective on language as a distinctive characteristic of literature.

• The style of Melville's "Bartleby" is described as transparent rather than convoluted, indicating that while it may flirt with absurdity, it remains fundamentally realistic in form.

Character Analysis: Bartleby

• The narrator describes his employees using appropriate nicknames that reflect their personalities. This moment underscores the relationship between language and meaning—a central issue in realism.

• The speaker encourages readers to focus on moments when the text refers to itself as key reading strategies for understanding modern literary themes.

Narrator's Perspective

• The narrative is presented in first-person from an attorney who hires Bartleby. This choice creates a complex dynamic between characters, hinting at pathological relationships.

• Bartleby's introduction reveals him as a modern character—pale and respectable yet exuding an air of despair. His portrayal raises questions about whether he embodies modernity or stands apart from it.

Symbolic Imagery

• An important image features Bartleby behind a screen overlooking dirty courtyards, symbolizing his isolation amidst New York’s imposing architecture—representative of modern dynamism crushing individuality.

• A later passage describes Bartleby's monotonous work routine as tedious and soul-crushing. This comparison with Byron highlights contrasts between romantic ideals and mechanical labor in literature.

Romanticism vs. Modern Literature

• By referencing Byron, the speaker illustrates how romantic poets are seen as connected to transcendental truths through nature—contrasting sharply with Bartleby's mechanical existence as a copyist devoid of artistic spirit.

Romantic Poets vs. Modern Writers

The Dichotomy of Romanticism and Modernity

• The romantic poet embarks on an inner journey, seeking to reclaim a lost golden place associated with pastoral landscapes, contrasting sharply with the harsh realities of urban life in a metropolis like New York.

• A critical distinction is made between modern writers and romantic poets; the former are characterized by mechanized work rather than inspiration or genius, highlighting a shift in creative processes.

• The phrase "I would prefer not to" from Bartleby serves as a recurring mantra throughout the narrative, emphasizing themes of alienation and resistance against societal expectations.

• The narrator expresses confusion and emotional disturbance regarding Bartleby's peculiar refusal to engage in tasks, suggesting deeper philosophical implications behind this choice.