- description
- # Narrator's Internal Conflict and Resignation
## Overview
This segment, titled "Narrator's Internal Conflict and Resignation," is a portion of the short story "[Bartleby, The Scrivener](arke:01KG6YFY3GPNBP5AAFESQKDTDR)". It is extracted from the file "[bartleby_the_scrivener.txt](arke:01KG6YDD8YHX9PCQE3NTAG8XF1)" and is part of the "[Melville](arke:01KG6YCG626JN4FCG8QK17CQCF)" collection. This segment spans lines 1078 to 1111 of the source text.
## Context
The narrator grapples with his growing resentment towards Bartleby, reflecting on past tragedies like those of Adams and Colt to understand the potential consequences of unchecked anger. He recalls the biblical commandment to love one another as a means to overcome his exasperation. The narrator concludes that charity and understanding are prudent principles, especially when dealing with difficult individuals, and decides to interpret Bartleby's actions with benevolence, attributing them to hardship rather than malice.
## Contents
This segment details the narrator's internal struggle to control his anger towards Bartleby. He contemplates the potential for violence stemming from intense emotions, drawing parallels to historical incidents. Ultimately, the narrator chooses to practice charity and empathy, rationalizing Bartleby's behavior as a result of his difficult circumstances. This internal resolution marks a shift from confrontation to a resigned, albeit compassionate, acceptance of Bartleby's presence.
- description_generated_at
- 2026-01-30T07:57:51.567Z
- description_model
- gemini-2.5-flash-lite
- description_title
- Narrator's Internal Conflict and Resignation
- end_line
- 1111
- extracted_at
- 2026-01-30T07:57:25.130Z
- extracted_by
- structure-extraction-lambda
- start_line
- 1078
- text
- I was now in such a state of nervous resentment that I thought it but
prudent to check myself at present from further demonstrations.
Bartleby and I were alone. I remembered the tragedy of the unfortunate
Adams and the still more unfortunate Colt in the solitary office of the
latter; and how poor Colt, being dreadfully incensed by Adams, and
imprudently permitting himself to get wildly excited, was at unawares
hurried into his fatal act—an act which certainly no man could possibly
deplore more than the actor himself. Often it had occurred to me in my
ponderings upon the subject, that had that altercation taken place in
the public street, or at a private residence, it would not have
terminated as it did. It was the circumstance of being alone in a
solitary office, up stairs, of a building entirely unhallowed by
humanizing domestic associations—an uncarpeted office, doubtless, of a
dusty, haggard sort of appearance;—this it must have been, which
greatly helped to enhance the irritable desperation of the hapless
Colt.
But when this old Adam of resentment rose in me and tempted me
concerning Bartleby, I grappled him and threw him. How? Why, simply by
recalling the divine injunction: “A new commandment give I unto you,
that ye love one another.” Yes, this it was that saved me. Aside from
higher considerations, charity often operates as a vastly wise and
prudent principle—a great safeguard to its possessor. Men have
committed murder for jealousy’s sake, and anger’s sake, and hatred’s
sake, and selfishness’ sake, and spiritual pride’s sake; but no man
that ever I heard of, ever committed a diabolical murder for sweet
charity’s sake. Mere self-interest, then, if no better motive can be
enlisted, should, especially with high-tempered men, prompt all beings
to charity and philanthropy. At any rate, upon the occasion in
question, I strove to drown my exasperated feelings towards the
scrivener by benevolently construing his conduct. Poor fellow, poor
fellow! thought I, he don’t mean any thing; and besides, he has seen
hard times, and ought to be indulged.
- title
- Narrator's Internal Conflict and Resignation