Clase: "Bartleby" de Herman Melville (parte 3 de 4)

The Existential Dilemma of Bartleby

Bartleby's Decision to Stop Writing

• The narrator reveals that Bartleby has decided to stop copying forever, marking a significant shift in his character and the narrative.

• The narrator describes Bartleby as feeling "absolutely alone in the universe," emphasizing the theme of isolation prevalent in modern life.

Themes of Loneliness and Modernity

• A recollection of another lawyer highlights the essential loneliness experienced in large cities, reinforcing the text's exploration of urban alienation.

• The narrative adopts a pedagogical tone, discussing how domestic influences are absent from Bartleby's environment, contributing to his desolation.

Divine Design and Biblical Resonance

• The narrator contemplates that Bartleby's presence may represent a divine design, suggesting deeper existential meanings behind his actions.

• A poignant moment occurs when the narrator grapples with moral implications, expressing reluctance to evict someone so vulnerable.

Moral Conflict and Inaction

• The narrator's internal struggle reflects a Christian moral framework that delays action out of charity, leading to frustration for both him and Bartleby.

• This hesitation culminates in the narrator deciding to leave his office rather than confront the situation directly.

Existentialism and Indifference

• As he vacates his office, there is an emotional turmoil within the narrator; he feels torn yet compelled by circumstances beyond his control.

• A critical scene unfolds where Bartleby refuses help or change, echoing existentialist themes about apathy towards life's choices.

Reflections on Existential Literature

• Martinelli emphasizes an existentialist viewpoint through repeated phrases like "I would prefer not to change anything," highlighting indifference as central to human experience.