In my last post I questioned the relevance of Nippers and Turkey in this story. Nippers suffers from chronic indigestion and Turkey is a drunk. Nippers is irritable in the morning and Turkey is drunk in the afternoon. Melville presents balance in our narrator's environment, albeit a tempermental one. Turkey works in the morning and Nippers works in the afternoons. Ginger Nut is the office boy who is named after the cakes he brings to the office. These characters highlight the narrator's desire to have a balance in his life no matter the cost. He is willing to endure the irritability and drunkness of his employees as long as it does not occur at the same time and the work is being accomplished. We further learn the reason of our narrator's desire to "play it safe", he lost a very prestigious position as Master of Chancery because of an severe economic downturn. He conformed to the economic changes of the time by living only for employment and obtaining finacial security. The emptiness and isolation of modern business is an important them in this story which Melville metaphorically describes through the office: "At one end they looked upon the white interior wall of the of the spacious skylight shaft," "the light pentrated into the building, yet it never illumnated the residents." And as stated in my prior blog, our narrator's view is a brick wall. The narrator willingly allows himselft to be walled in from life so he can feel safe. His employs are predictable and reliable in work and demeanor. This conformity and easy way of life is shttered when he hires Bartleby.
One idea Emerson (a contemporary of Melville) imparts to his readers in "Self Reliance" is to not live as others would ditate, nor to live for materialism, praise or status, as this would cause a loss of self. We can see this idea as we see the effect of Bartleby on our narrator.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Monday, September 14, 2009
"Bartleby the Scriviner" by Herman Melville Part 1.
I think in order to understand a story; it helps to know a little bit about the author. Herman Melville uses his knowledge of business and what can happen when faced with financial ruin in “Bartleby the Scrivener”. Mr. Melville’s father went bankrupt when he was young because of risky investments, giving him a determination to become financially independent. He also watched as his family fell apart: his father died and his mother became dependent on her own family. We now have some indication of Mr. Melville’s attitude towards business-do not take chances. In “Bartleby the Scrivener” Melville is more open in sharing his feelings about the business world and what it can do to people.
The narrator begins by describing himself as a rather elderly man; this leads the reader to believe he is experienced and somewhat worldly in his field. But yet, we are made aware that the narrator is one who chooses to “play it safe” with his career, reputation and life choices. How do I know this? The narrator says he belongs to “a profession proverbially energetic and nervous even to turbulence at times, yet nothing of that sort have I ever suffered to invade my peace.” He continues to state, “I am one of those unambitious lawyers…..” “but, in the cool tranquility of a snug retreat…” (pg.3). All these descriptions show a person who is content with his career without any of the formality, success and energy of his field.
Melville’s description of our narrator’s work space gives us further proof that his life is a set of predictable safe events – or playing it safe. Ie: “This view might have been considered rather tame than otherwise, deficient in what landscape painters call “life”.”
Our narrator introduces his staff: Turkey, Nippers and Ginger Nut. All nicknames given to each other, and allowed in an office of legal copy writing – we are not privy to their actual names. Even though a nickname is a sign of familiarity, one has to wonder how the narrator allows this in an atmosphere that is stoic in demeanor – physically and emotionally.
I will stop here, leaving the following questions:
What influence does Turkey, Nippers and Ginger Nut have on the narrator?
Who is Bartleby? What is it that intrigues our narrator so greatly that he compelled to tell Bartleby’s story?
What impact does Bartleby have on the safety of our narrator’s life?
The narrator begins by describing himself as a rather elderly man; this leads the reader to believe he is experienced and somewhat worldly in his field. But yet, we are made aware that the narrator is one who chooses to “play it safe” with his career, reputation and life choices. How do I know this? The narrator says he belongs to “a profession proverbially energetic and nervous even to turbulence at times, yet nothing of that sort have I ever suffered to invade my peace.” He continues to state, “I am one of those unambitious lawyers…..” “but, in the cool tranquility of a snug retreat…” (pg.3). All these descriptions show a person who is content with his career without any of the formality, success and energy of his field.
Melville’s description of our narrator’s work space gives us further proof that his life is a set of predictable safe events – or playing it safe. Ie: “This view might have been considered rather tame than otherwise, deficient in what landscape painters call “life”.”
Our narrator introduces his staff: Turkey, Nippers and Ginger Nut. All nicknames given to each other, and allowed in an office of legal copy writing – we are not privy to their actual names. Even though a nickname is a sign of familiarity, one has to wonder how the narrator allows this in an atmosphere that is stoic in demeanor – physically and emotionally.
I will stop here, leaving the following questions:
What influence does Turkey, Nippers and Ginger Nut have on the narrator?
Who is Bartleby? What is it that intrigues our narrator so greatly that he compelled to tell Bartleby’s story?
What impact does Bartleby have on the safety of our narrator’s life?
Thursday, September 3, 2009
My Memories: Reading, Writing and Wanting to Know More
My earliest memory of the written word was my Aunt Nancy buying me Golden Books. I remember the bright colored pictures and wanting to know what was going on. As I these stories were read to me I couldn't wait to hear what would happen next. When I was alone I would pick up the books and read (try) to myself, mostly editing the tale to my own liking. I guess I was about three or four years old at the time.
At the same time, my next door neighbor Ilene had just started 1st grade. When she would come home from school, she would show me what she learned that day. I was so enthralled with the "tools" she used. I questioned everything that she showed me. She decided to be my teacher and set up our classroom in my backyard. She brought out a blackboard, chalk, pencils and paper and my lessons would begin. When I would know how to write or read a new word, I would run home and show my parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents and any poor soul who crossed my path my new skills. I was becoming a "know-it-all pest" to quote my younger brothers, who had to endure learning with me.
Understanding my text books and reading assignments through out elementary and middle school is faded, most probably because it was basic and I always questioned what I didn't understand. I was placed in the advanced classes in elementary school and was awarded the Arista award for my work in SP classes in middle school. Understanding different genres of literacy did not occur until High School. My sophomore English Teacher worked with popular songs of the late 60's, early 70's, also known as the Vietnam era, or the hippie movement. Learning that the words of songs were a form of poetry intrigued me, I began writing my own poetry. This form of writing became my solace from the angst of adolescent life. I wish I had kept them; it would be interesting to go back and read the plights of Linda.
Deep reading - going behind the word on the page - was introduced to me by Joanne Cresci, my first English writing professor at CSI. It was an "A HA" moment. It was great to stop and think about what was beneath the surface, what hidden message and emotion was lurking to be found. I am grateful to all my English professors at CSI, especially Professor de Cataldo, Professor Keil, Professor Parker and Professor Hoeller who pushed me and were patient with my while I questioned and looked to the meaning of what we read. To Professor Monte, Professor Schulman and those mentioned earlier, thank you for helping me to express myself on paper.
My undergrad degree is Business Management. Professor George Stern taught me to look at what was written in everyday texts: newspapers, websites, magazine articles, etc. with a critical eye and to evaluate the purpose of what was written. This became very useful in my career.
I must mention that I entered the Commodities field when I was 19 years old. I worked very closely with the Research Department Head – Mary Elberti. She was a wonderful writer whose desk was a massive chaos of articles, newspapers, books, charts and I believe a few half eaten sandwiches. Ask for an article from 1960 and she would go to the right pile of paper and pull out the article. She also would hand you several other items that were relevant to your request. I was awestruck by her, especially her being able to relate one article, which seemed to have no bearing on the subject, to another. She showed me how to see how different factors influence our commodity markets. I was now hooked on commodities. As one friend had commented, “Commodities is perfect for you because you always want to know about everything!” In commodities we have to be aware of the environment, politics, demand, supply and of course the economy.
My literacy throughout the years has expanded to theater, dance, movies and music. Literacy is more than what is in a book. It is understanding what is going on around us everyday.
At the same time, my next door neighbor Ilene had just started 1st grade. When she would come home from school, she would show me what she learned that day. I was so enthralled with the "tools" she used. I questioned everything that she showed me. She decided to be my teacher and set up our classroom in my backyard. She brought out a blackboard, chalk, pencils and paper and my lessons would begin. When I would know how to write or read a new word, I would run home and show my parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents and any poor soul who crossed my path my new skills. I was becoming a "know-it-all pest" to quote my younger brothers, who had to endure learning with me.
Understanding my text books and reading assignments through out elementary and middle school is faded, most probably because it was basic and I always questioned what I didn't understand. I was placed in the advanced classes in elementary school and was awarded the Arista award for my work in SP classes in middle school. Understanding different genres of literacy did not occur until High School. My sophomore English Teacher worked with popular songs of the late 60's, early 70's, also known as the Vietnam era, or the hippie movement. Learning that the words of songs were a form of poetry intrigued me, I began writing my own poetry. This form of writing became my solace from the angst of adolescent life. I wish I had kept them; it would be interesting to go back and read the plights of Linda.
Deep reading - going behind the word on the page - was introduced to me by Joanne Cresci, my first English writing professor at CSI. It was an "A HA" moment. It was great to stop and think about what was beneath the surface, what hidden message and emotion was lurking to be found. I am grateful to all my English professors at CSI, especially Professor de Cataldo, Professor Keil, Professor Parker and Professor Hoeller who pushed me and were patient with my while I questioned and looked to the meaning of what we read. To Professor Monte, Professor Schulman and those mentioned earlier, thank you for helping me to express myself on paper.
My undergrad degree is Business Management. Professor George Stern taught me to look at what was written in everyday texts: newspapers, websites, magazine articles, etc. with a critical eye and to evaluate the purpose of what was written. This became very useful in my career.
I must mention that I entered the Commodities field when I was 19 years old. I worked very closely with the Research Department Head – Mary Elberti. She was a wonderful writer whose desk was a massive chaos of articles, newspapers, books, charts and I believe a few half eaten sandwiches. Ask for an article from 1960 and she would go to the right pile of paper and pull out the article. She also would hand you several other items that were relevant to your request. I was awestruck by her, especially her being able to relate one article, which seemed to have no bearing on the subject, to another. She showed me how to see how different factors influence our commodity markets. I was now hooked on commodities. As one friend had commented, “Commodities is perfect for you because you always want to know about everything!” In commodities we have to be aware of the environment, politics, demand, supply and of course the economy.
My literacy throughout the years has expanded to theater, dance, movies and music. Literacy is more than what is in a book. It is understanding what is going on around us everyday.
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