- description
- # Bartleby's first refusals and the narrator's attempts to understand/deal with them
## Overview
This is a section from the chapter "[Bartleby](arke:01KG8AJK1PKEBJJCANV911N8JS)" within Herman Melville's short story, extracted from the file "[the_piazza_tales.txt](arke:01KG89J1F4D8P9BBX9AMGZ7TX7)". It covers lines 908-952 of the source text. The section is labeled "Bartleby's first refusals and the narrator's attempts to understand/deal with them".
## Context
This section is part of the larger collection "[Melville Complete Works](arke:01KG89HMDZKNY753EZE1CJ8HZW)". It follows the section "[Introduction of Bartleby and his initial work/behavior](arke:01KG8AK3EJJ6V0XMW0ER4HQ4AH)" and precedes "[Escalation of Bartleby's idleness and the narrator's increasing frustration/attempts to dismiss him](arke:01KG8AK3EN06F47FVSMHV3ETH4)".
## Contents
This section describes the first instances of Bartleby's refusal to perform tasks at his job as a scrivener. The narrator recounts how he would occasionally ask his scriveners, Turkey or Nippers, to assist in comparing documents. He had hired Bartleby and placed him conveniently behind a screen with the intention of utilizing his services for such tasks. The section details the first time the narrator asks Bartleby to examine a small paper, and Bartleby's unexpected response: "I would prefer not to." The narrator's surprise and attempts to understand Bartleby's refusal are described, as well as his decision to postpone addressing the matter due to pressing business.
- description_generated_at
- 2026-01-30T20:48:55.269Z
- description_model
- gemini-2.5-flash-lite
- description_title
- Bartleby's first refusals and the narrator's attempts to understand/deal with them
- end_line
- 952
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- 2026-01-30T20:47:52.603Z
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- structure-extraction-lambda
- start_line
- 908
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- Now and then, in the haste of business, it had been my habit to assist
in comparing some brief document myself, calling Turkey or Nippers for
this purpose. One object I had, in placing Bartleby so handy to me
behind the screen, was, to avail myself of his services on such trivial
occasions. It was on the third day, I think, of his being with me, and
before any necessity had arisen for having his own writing examined,
that, being much hurried to complete a small affair I had in hand, I
abruptly called to Bartleby. In my haste and natural expectancy of
instant compliance, I sat with my head bent over the original on my
desk, and my right hand sideways, and somewhat nervously extended with
the copy, so that, immediately upon emerging from his retreat, Bartleby
might snatch it and proceed to business without the least delay.
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.
- title
- Bartleby's first refusals and the narrator's attempts to understand/deal with them