- description
- # First refusal and narrator's reaction
## Overview
This segment, titled "First refusal and narrator's reaction," is an excerpt from the short story "[Bartleby, The Scrivener](arke:01KG8AJ8SS2R5YVRHT1BCDZZNP)". It spans lines 317 to 356 of the source text and was extracted from the file "[bartleby_the_scrivener.txt](arke:01KG89J1CRGPEZ66W67EZPAMPE)". This segment is part of the larger "[Melville Complete Works](arke:01KG89HMDZKNY753EZE1CJ8HZW)" collection.
## Context
This segment follows the initial employment of Bartleby and details the narrator's first direct request for Bartleby to perform a task beyond his initial copying duties. The narrator asks Bartleby to examine a small paper with him. Bartleby's response, "I would prefer not to," marks the beginning of his pattern of passive resistance. The narrator's reaction is one of surprise and disbelief, struggling to comprehend Bartleby's refusal. He notes Bartleby's calm demeanor, which prevents him from reacting with anger, comparing it to trying to dismiss a bust of Cicero. The narrator ultimately decides to postpone dealing with the issue due to his pressing work.
## Contents
The text describes the narrator's request for Bartleby's assistance in examining a document and Bartleby's repeated refusal, stating, "I would prefer not to." It details the narrator's internal struggle to understand Bartleby's behavior, his observation of Bartleby's composed appearance, and his eventual decision to defer the matter. The segment concludes with the narrator calling another clerk, Nippers, to assist with the document examination. It also briefly mentions a later event where Bartleby refused to examine four lengthy documents related to a court case.
- description_generated_at
- 2026-01-30T20:48:07.315Z
- description_model
- gemini-2.5-flash-lite
- description_title
- First refusal and narrator's reaction
- end_line
- 356
- extracted_at
- 2026-01-30T20:47:37.562Z
- extracted_by
- structure-extraction-lambda
- start_line
- 317
- text
- In this very attitude did I sit when I called to him, rapidly stating
what it was I wanted him to do—namely, to examine a small paper with
me. Imagine my surprise, nay, my consternation, when without moving
from his privacy, Bartleby in a singularly mild, firm voice, replied,
“I would prefer not to.”
I sat awhile in perfect silence, rallying my stunned faculties.
Immediately it occurred to me that my ears had deceived me, or Bartleby
had entirely misunderstood my meaning. I repeated my request in the
clearest tone I could assume. But in quite as clear a one came the
previous reply, “I would prefer not to.”
“Prefer not to,” echoed I, rising in high excitement, and crossing the
room with a stride. “What do you mean? Are you moon-struck? I want you
to help me compare this sheet here—take it,” and I thrust it towards
him.
“I would prefer not to,” said he.
I looked at him steadfastly. His face was leanly composed; his gray eye
dimly calm. Not a wrinkle of agitation rippled him. Had there been the
least uneasiness, anger, impatience or impertinence in his manner; in
other words, had there been any thing ordinarily human about him,
doubtless I should have violently dismissed him from the premises. But
as it was, I should have as soon thought of turning my pale
plaster-of-paris bust of Cicero out of doors. I stood gazing at him
awhile, as he went on with his own writing, and then reseated myself at
my desk. This is very strange, thought I. What had one best do? But my
business hurried me. I concluded to forget the matter for the present,
reserving it for my future leisure. So calling Nippers from the other
room, the paper was speedily examined.
A few days after this, Bartleby concluded four lengthy documents, being
quadruplicates of a week’s testimony taken before me in my High Court
of Chancery. It became necessary to examine them. It was an important
suit, and great accuracy was imperative. Having all things arranged I
called Turkey, Nippers and Ginger Nut from the next room, meaning to
place the four copies in the hands of my four clerks, while I should
read from the original. Accordingly Turkey, Nippers and Ginger Nut had
taken their seats in a row, each with his document in hand, when I
- title
- First refusal and narrator's reaction