Clase: "Bartleby" de Herman Melville (parte 2 de 4)

Narrative Functions and Character Dynamics

The Role of the Narrator

• The narrator assumes a paternal role towards Burt Levitch, suggesting a complex relationship where he feels responsible for guiding or protecting him.

• There is an exploration of how this paternal dynamic can be interpreted beyond the text's surface, hinting at deeper philosophical implications.

Burt Levitch's Resistance

• Burt begins to resist his assigned tasks, which were minimal, indicating a shift in his character from passive to more assertive.

• The narrator describes his own pathological attachment to Burt, viewing him as a valuable asset due to his passivity.

Absurd Situations in the Office

• A humorous scene unfolds when Bardem appears disheveled on a Sunday, highlighting absurdity within the workplace environment.

• The narrator reflects on Burt’s status as more of an inhabitant than an employee, emphasizing themes of isolation and detachment.

Existential Themes and Modernity

Living Conditions and Isolation

• Descriptions reveal Bartleby's dire living conditions within the office—symbolizing broader themes of poverty and existential despair.

• The stark contrast between weekday vibrancy and nighttime emptiness underscores Bartleby’s profound loneliness.

Philosophical Reflections

• The narrative shifts towards philosophical musings on human condition; it evokes feelings of pessimism intertwined with fraternal melancholy.

• References to biblical resonances suggest that while happiness seeks light, sorrow often remains hidden—a commentary on human experience.

The Climax of Absurdity

Bartleby's Defiance

• In a grandiloquent moment, Bartleby stands firm in solitude amidst chaos—an image representing resistance against societal expectations.

Collective Behavior Among Employees

The Power of Language and Preference

The Intricacies of the Word "Preferir"

• The narrator discusses a peculiar habit of using the word "preferir" in various contexts, often inappropriately, highlighting its frequent appearance in conversations.

• An employee respectfully questions the use of the word "preferir," indicating a nervousness about its implications and suggesting a desire for privacy regarding another character, Barkley.

• The narrator reflects on an encounter where he was asked if he preferred to make a copy of a document, noting that the word slipped out involuntarily, revealing his discomfort with its usage.

Literary Significance and Self-Referentiality

• The scene is described as both pathetic and humorous yet significant; it prompts deeper reflection on self-referentiality within literature and how language can be distorted.

• The narrator emphasizes that this distortion represents one of literature's powers, showcasing how language can be manipulated to create meaning or confusion.

Modern Writers and Language Distortion

• Barthélemy's role is introduced as someone who disrupts speech patterns; this moment invites contemplation on modern writers' identities compared to romantic poets.