Narrator's Ultimatum and Bartleby's Continued Presence

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# Narrator's Ultimatum and Bartleby's Continued Presence ## Overview This segment, titled "Narrator's Ultimatum and Bartleby's Continued Presence," is an excerpt from the short story "[Bartleby, The Scrivener](arke:01KG8AJ8SS2R5YVRHT1BCDZZNP)". It spans lines 921 to 967 of the source text, which 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 narrator's increasingly desperate attempts to make Bartleby leave his employment. The previous segment, "[Bartleby's Refusal and Narrator's Attempts](arke:01KG8AJMX8YQRXJATZN7GT362M)", details Bartleby's persistent refusal to perform tasks and his general immobility within the office. This segment marks a turning point where the narrator issues a direct ultimatum, offering financial incentives for Bartleby to depart. ## Contents In this segment, the narrator gives Bartleby a six-day ultimatum to leave the office, offering assistance in finding new lodging and financial support. Despite the narrator's clear instructions and even a direct offer of money, Bartleby remains unresponsive and continues to occupy his usual space. The narrator recounts his attempts to persuade Bartleby, including leaving money on the table and offering a final farewell. Bartleby's silent refusal highlights his unwavering passive resistance, leaving the narrator in a state of perplexity. The segment concludes with Bartleby standing alone and silent, a "ruined temple," emphasizing his isolation and the narrator's inability to resolve the situation. This segment leads into "[Narrator's Reflections on His Strategy](arke:01KG8AJNQCZH7EG33YRR30ZAN1)", where the narrator contemplates his approach.

description_generated_at

2026-01-30T20:48:08.107Z

description_model

gemini-2.5-flash-lite

description_title

Narrator's Ultimatum and Bartleby's Continued Presence

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967

extracted_at

2026-01-30T20:47:37.562Z

extracted_by

structure-extraction-lambda

source_file

01KG89J1CRGPEZ66W67EZPAMPE

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921

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considerations. Decently as I could, I told Bartleby that in six days’ time he must unconditionally leave the office. I warned him to take measures, in the interval, for procuring some other abode. I offered to assist him in this endeavor, if he himself would but take the first step towards a removal. “And when you finally quit me, Bartleby,” added I, “I shall see that you go not away entirely unprovided. Six days from this hour, remember.” At the expiration of that period, I peeped behind the screen, and lo! Bartleby was there. I buttoned up my coat, balanced myself; advanced slowly towards him, touched his shoulder, and said, “The time has come; you must quit this place; I am sorry for you; here is money; but you must go.” “I would prefer not,” he replied, with his back still towards me. “You _must_.” He remained silent. Now I had an unbounded confidence in this man’s common honesty. He had frequently restored to me sixpences and shillings carelessly dropped upon the floor, for I am apt to be very reckless in such shirt-button affairs. The proceeding then which followed will not be deemed extraordinary. “Bartleby,” said I, “I owe you twelve dollars on account; here are thirty-two; the odd twenty are yours.—Will you take it?” and I handed the bills towards him. But he made no motion. “I will leave them here then,” putting them under a weight on the table. Then taking my hat and cane and going to the door I tranquilly turned and added—“After you have removed your things from these offices, Bartleby, you will of course lock the door—since every one is now gone for the day but you—and if you please, slip your key underneath the mat, so that I may have it in the morning. I shall not see you again; so good-bye to you. If hereafter in your new place of abode I can be of any service to you, do not fail to advise me by letter. Good-bye, Bartleby, and fare you well.” But he answered not a word; like the last column of some ruined temple, he remained standing mute and solitary in the middle of the otherwise deserted room.

title

Narrator's Ultimatum and Bartleby's Continued Presence