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“Bartleby the Scrivener” Essay In Herman Melville’s “Bartleby the Scrivener,” Melville questions the validity of property ownership in terms of dollars and cents. Through the actions of the lawyer and Bartleby, Melville portrays two contrary views concerning the importance of money in society. While the lawyer staunchly believes money is a commodity, assigning all materialistic things a dollar value, Bartleby indirectly implies his belief that money is merely a concept, openly disregarding and opposing …

…the Scrivener,” the lawyer harbors the notion that money is a significant and essential aspect of society, while Bartleby openly disregards any importance pertaining to money, casting it aside as an unnecessary concept. Bartleby’s physical behavior suits his indifferent view of money while the lawyer’s pocketbook-based actions accompany his “Wall Street ethic.” Both men’s ethics are illustrated through their actions, which portray both their beliefs and their methods of thinking. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ **Bibliography**