Research Homework

Slavery and it's setting in North America

 

• The growth of slavery in North America was because it became a highly profitable system for slave owners.

• As the demand for rice, tobacco, and cotton increased, so did the demand for slaves

• In the early 1700's, the population of Africans out grew Europeans

• Whipping, branding, dismembering, castrating, or killing a slave were legal under many circumstances.

• Africans eventually fought back and rebelled, leaving the white people scared of them
  

Slave Trade

• The slave trade began towards the beginning of the 15th century

• Europeans started importing slaves due to the declining population. They needed to create more products that could be exported.

• The British soon entered and dominated the slave trade.

• In order to make the slave trade seem less extreme, the Europeans claimed that they were taking Africans for the purposes of religion, therefore gaining the support of churches.

• Slaves were introduced to new diseases and suffered from malnutrition long before they reached the new world.

Plantation Life

• In the 18th century, most slaves worked on a plantation.
  

• After over planting the seeds, many of the soil's products began to die down

• As the demand for cotton grew, so did the demand for slaves

• It used to take over ten hours for just one slave to produce one clean pound of cotton

• A work day consisted of 15-16 hours a day, during harvest time and, could go on during harvest and milling for 16-18 per week 7 days a week.

Harriet Jacobs

• Harriet Jacobs was an author and an American Abolitionist

• She was born into slavery

• Her master had cruel sexual intentions

• She bore two children by an unmarried white man

• Jacobs escaped after realizing that her master wanted to put her children to work, in June of 1835.
  

Abolition Movement

• This was essentially the ending of the slave trade.

• There were many anti-slavery protests to stop the slave trade.

• Many abolitionists were interested in their cause as well as politics, most favored republicans.

• By January 1st, 1863, most states were free states.

• Its goal was to send the free slaves to Liberia and Africa. This was widely accepted in the Northern states but not so much in the Southern states.

Fugitive Slave Act/ Law

• The Fugitive Slave Act / Law was passed in 1793.

• It basically allowed the right for warrants to be made on run away slaves.

• Commissioners who actually caught and apprehended a fugitive slave, received ten dollars.

• Those who caught slaves but decided that they should be free, only received five dollars.

• This act / law also denied any fugitive to claim that they are free, a trial by jury. Under no circumstances were they allowed to collect evidence or claim their own freedom.

Works Cited:

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part1/1narr5.html
http://africanhistory.about.com/od/slavery/tp/TransAtlantic001.htm
http://cghs.dadeschools.net/slavery/antebellum_slavery/plantation_slave_life/health.htm
http://www.google.com/#sclient=psy&hl=en&tbs=tl:1&q=abolition%20movement%20fa&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&fp=158f5021afbf0802&pf=p&pdl=3000
http://www.nationalcenter.org/FugitiveSlaveAct.html

QUESTIONS FOR CLASS DISCUSSIONS

Characters
- Protagonist / Antagonist? - what is the Boss up against in the person of Bartleby? Does Bartleby represent a force beyond himself as an individual?
Major / Minor (Who are the major players in the story? What do we know about them? Are they likable?
Sympathetic? Realistic? What's the function of the story's minor characters?)

Dynamic / Static-Who changes? Who stays the same? Is the story about growth or change? 
Round / Flat-Who is the round character? Who are the flat characters?

In Bartleby the Scrivener, I feel that the protagonist is the boss, seeing as though all he wants is a reliable employee where as Bartleby is the antagonist because all he does is nothing really. The boss has to deal with a defiant, stubborn man named Bartebly. In the beginning, Bartelby did the work that was asked of him, as long as it involved him sitting down copying papers. But as the story progressed, we saw that Bartebly was doing less than what his initial work load was. It came to a point where he wasnt doing much of anything but sleeping in the bosses office and saying, "I prefer not to" to any request asked of him. I dont know if Bartelby represents a force beyond himself as an individual but there is definitely something not right with that man. The major characters in this story are the Boss and Bartelby, that leaves the minor characters to be Turkey, Nippers, and Ginger Nut. As stated above, the major characters are the ones who really set the whole tone and mood for the story. The boss is the one who runs the office and makes final decisions on employees and work stuff. Bartelby is an employee who is very disobedient, yet the boss cant seem to phathom being mean or rude to him. In my opinion, the boss is likeable but the rest of the characters are questionable. However, the minor characters are more realistic when it comes to Bartelby than their own boss is. The minor characters main function is to be instigators. They do not mix well with Bartelby and call him out on his wrongdoings. I feel that the only person who changed in this story was Bartelby, he did work in the beginning, and then he did nothing but become a nuisance. Throughout the story, the boss was always sympathetic to Bartleby, allowing him to do as he pleases. Even being nice enough to move his office and all his employees because he did not want to forcibly remove him or call the police. I do not necessarily believe that the story is about growth or change. Bartleby comes into this man's life, makes him look at things in a different perspective, and then dies. It is never told why he never did anything, or accepted anything, or listened to anyone. He just dies. I believe that there aren't really any flat characters. Almost all are round characters. Being that they are necessary to the story and help make it better.

QUESTIONS FOR CLASS DISCUSSIONS

Point of view
: Who tells the story? - the first person narrator, who is flawed but human…He's reliable, we trust him. His actions
definitely support what he tells us about himself; especially the part about being a man who likes to take the "easy" way. What else is
gained by telling this story from the Boss's perspective? Why not Bartleby's perspective? Why not one of the other clerks?

This story is written in first person point of view by the boss. As stated in the question above, his actions do support everything he tells us. For example, in the story the boss says that he did not want any other boss or office to take in Bartleby and in a way, abuse him. Proving his sensitivity and how sympathetic he is. He kept to his word when he allowed Bartleby to live in his office and do absolutely no work. The benefit of having the story told in first person point of view, especially when that person is a major character, the boss, is that it allows us to understand his thoughts, feelings, and actions while his very own employee makes his office his home and ignores every request that is asked of him. It would make it a bit more interesting to have it written in Bartleby's point of view because then we would know why he does not want to anything others ask him to do. But I guess it is better in someway because it leaves us to ponder questions as to why he acts the way that he acts. I think that by the story being told in a major characters point of view rather than the other clerks, who are the minor characters, it makes us understand the story better and understand why they do what they do. Also, the other clerks seem immature and to leave the story in their hands would be kind of foolish.

QUESTIONS FOR CLASS DISCUSSIONS

Plot
Exposition:-what background information does the narrator relate that gives us a greater understanding of the events unfolding?
Why does the information about Bartleby's previous employment come at the end of the story rather than at the beginning?
Complication-
how does the Boss react when Bartleby repeatedly refuses to perform his duties? How does his reaction intensify? What is the Boss's
dilemma?
Climax-Where do you feel the events reach their pinnacle? Where is the conflict most intense, the clash most "explosive"?

Resolution-What's the outcome of the explosion? 
Epiphany-who has gained insight in this story, Bartleby or the Boss, or anybody?

The narrator gives us background information on his office. He describes his office, saying that he works on Wall Street. He describes his employees and gives reasons for their names as well as telling us how Bartleby came to working with him. With this information, we can then see what the story would be about. He also says that one of his most oddest Scriveners was Bartleby, so that puts a little bit of suspense into the short story. I think the information comes at the end of the story rather than the beginning because if it did come in the beginning, the readers would know why he says that he would prefer not to and why he acts the way he does. Readers, in my opinion, would not get the same reaction that they do, had the piece of information about him been given in the beginning. Also by putting it at the end, it doesn't leave us wondering why Bartleby acted the way he did. Instead of just letting our minds wander on the subject, it gives us sort of a direction to follow. I think that because Bartleby says that he prefers not to in such a calm, almost comforting manner, it makes the boss feel pity for him, rather then wanting to reprimand him. Throughout the whole story, Bartleby constantly refuses to do any type of work other than copying. And each time Bartleby refuses, it shocks the boss because never has anyone told him no, or rather they would prefer not to. At one point, the boss wonders if he is in the wrong for asking him to do work. But after talking to the other Scriveners, they assure him that he is not. After the first few times of Bartleby refusing, the boss finally asks why he does not prefer to do any work and if he has the right to say no. When Bartleby responds with no answer, he just accepts it. I think the boss's dilemma is that he wants to get rid of Bartleby because essentially, he is a liability, but at the same time, the boss admires him and pity's him so much that he just can be cruel or mean and fire him. I think the climax is when the boss asks Bartleby to pack his belongings and leave and Bartleby refuses. Therefore making the boss pack up and move his office, on account of Bartleby. This is when the boss finally loses his temper and doesn't have much sympathy for Bartleby. The outcome of this explosion is that the boss leaves Bartleby in his office and moves his business elsewhere. I do not think that anyone gained insight really. I just think that the boss gave up on Bartleby once it started affecting his business and realized that he isn't worth his time.

QUESTIONS FOR CLASS DISCUSSIONS

Meaning (Theme) : 
Does the story leave you thinking anything? Feeling anything? What do you make out of it all?
Passive aggressive
people are difficult to accommodate, difficult to ignore.
Passive resistance is a radical form of rebellion. 
Offices, where Americans spend
the greater part of their lives, are not democracies.
Have a life outside work! Don't expect your occupation to bear the burden of your
existence.
What other ideas does the story suggest to you?


This story makes me very aggravated. If I had to deal with an employee who did not do anything in my office but instead wanted to make it his home, I would go bananas. The fact that he never agreed to do anything for the boss really annoyed me. But in a way, his defiance is really what drives the story to its intensity. I think the story really points out the kindness that people really have. Coming from New York, where people just do not have enough patience, I do not think anyone would really put up with Bartleby's nonsense. The story also suggests that regardless of ones situation, a lot of people really put their lives into their jobs. Many people even take their jobs home. The boss was willing to find another job for Bartleby, make sure he gets the best food in jail, and even open up his home to him but Bartleby refused. Bartleby is a very anal person and if he were to be hired in modern times, he would get fired after the first, " I prefer not to." I believe that this short story had to be somewhat autobiographical or somehow related to how the author, Melville, felt at the time. From my understanding, this short story is one of the most difficult to interpret. I agree with that because not much information is given on Bartleby, the boss, or the other minor characters. It is hard to understand the important relevance of almost everything in the story but I think it was well written.

QUESTIONS FOR CLASS DISCUSSIONS

Irony
: The Boss doesn't recognize that his own passiveness is as persistent and frustrating as Bartleby's. Or that his gentle, self-interested interest in Bartleby is leading to no good.
Can you think of other ironies?


The one irony that comes to mind is the boss's profession. The boss works in a field related to Wall Street. And as we all know, Wall Street is a work place that is based on rules, regulations, serious business, and if anything, it deals with the defending of ownership. So the boss is a man who owns and runs his own office. He hires his employees, he makes final decisions, he gives orders and tells others what to do and when to do it. But yet, when it comes to Bartleby, he never has anything to say to him. Yes, he is appalled by the response Bartleby constantly gives him but at the same time he accepts his response. He allows Bartleby to say no to his requests, to move in to his office and live there, to do absolutely no work at all, to stay after he is asked to leave. It comes to the point where the boss does not want to be rude to Bartleby so he packs up his own office and moves to another location. I mean to be a man who works in a strict type of work field, and to allow yourself to be moved out of your work place by a man that barely says anything, seems a little ironic to me.

QUESTIONS FOR CLASS DISCUSSIONS

Paradox
: Bartleby is stubborn, self-absorbed, rebellious, and insubordinate, yet many readers, and even the narrator, the Boss himself, have a deep sympathy for him. Why?
Others?


I think that by Bartleby seemingly having nowhere to stay, his lack of communication with anyone, and the fact that he never asks for anything or for anyone to help him, really allows people to feel deep sympathy. No matter how stubborn and insubordinate a man or woman may be, if he/she is homeless, it really touches our hearts. Just to learn that Bartleby was living in the office and had nowhere else to stay, made me feel bad for him. On top of that, Bartleby never says a word to anyone unless he is spoken to. It makes me feel as if he is alone in the world and that he just needs to open up to someone instead of keeping everything bottled in. It immediately sets off a sympathy bell in your head. Now along with his lack of communication, he also never asks for help or for anything in general. How does he survive, where does he shower, when does he have fun, does he have back aches from sleeping uncomfortably on chair, how did he come to be homeless, why doesnt he open up to anyone, when will he finally get help, how has he survived all these years, does he have any family, if he does why arent the helping him, does anybody care for him or about him? I mean all these questions came to my head when thinking about Bartleby and his life. These are what led me to have a deep sympathy for him so it may be the reason as to why others, including his boss, feel the same way. And because he is so quiet and does not ask for much, it is hard for people to be mad at him. Which only adds to the lists of reasons as to why readers feel deep sympathy for him

QUESTIONS FOR CLASS DISCUSSIONS

Ambiguity: 
Exactly why does Bartleby always "prefer not to"? Why can't he make friends, or communicate? What's at the heart of his
rebellion? Why doesn't he quit and get a different job?
Why does the Boss have sympathy for Bartleby?
What else in the story seems open
to individual readers' interpretation?

At the end of the short story, the reader's are told that Bartleby used to work at a dead letter office. A dead letter office is where letter is mailed when people have either died or vanished. I think that because Bartleby was exposed to all that sadness, he became depressed. When Bartleby first arrived at the lawyers office. ( The boss is the lawyer). He took on the task of writing letters and other documents rather than reading sad letters that were meant for people who are no longer living. He was able to do that until it became to much for him. After a while all he really did was stare out the window. He barely ever went outside. He only ate a certain food. And even with food, it came to the point where he just stopped eating entirely. I believe that Bartleby is in a deep depression and that is the sole reason to his lack of communication with the boss and anyone really. Bartleby doesn't get a new job because he realizes that the boss accepts his passive resistance while still allowing him to live there and do no work. Why would he feel the need to quit and go somewhere else is he is content with the job he currently has. It's not like anyone is harassing him or forcing him to go, so it is really beneficial to him. The boss has sympathy for Bartleby because of his personality. Bartleby is a very quiet man who keeps to himself. He speaks to no one, bothers no one, and it seems as though he is homeless because he obviously sleeps in the office. I think that the boss also feels sympathy for him because he knows that is he was to fall under any other boss, they would treat him very harsh. So he feels that if he allows Bartleby to stay there, he is doing a kind thing. I think that the whole story is open to any interpretation because there is not enough information given in the story to really make us all come up with the same interpretation. I mean Bartleby is the main character and most important and he is the character who is given the least information. Even Ginger Nut, Turkey, and Nibbles are given some type of background information. But the story does give a positive tone to it, even when Bartleby died.

QUESTIONS FOR CLASS DISCUSSIONS

Symbol
: What do the "dead walls" and Bartleby's "dead wall reveries" represent?
What's the significance of the setting? Why is it a story
of "Wall Street"?
Why do Turkey and Nipper have nicknames, but the Boss is never named, and we never learn Bartleby's first name?
What's in a name?

I honestly do not know what the dead walls and Bartleby's dead wall reveries represent, but I think it refers to Bartleby's old job as a person who reads the letters who were sent to dead people. The signifigance of the setting is that it is built around an office, a place where people go to follow orders and request and ultimately put out a work loadt. But in this story, a boss comes into the presence of a man who represents everything you shouldn't do when you get a job. If the setting was in a school or at McDonald's, then Bartleby not doing anything wouldn't really matter. But because it is in Wall Street, in a lawyers office, the work place is very serious and Bartleby's actions are sort of unconstitutional. I think Turkey and Nipper have nicknames because the author wants to isolate him from the rest of the characters. Same goes for Ginger Nut. And I think the boss isn't named because his only role in the story is to explain his encounter with Bartleby. Bartleby's first name isn't said because we know so little about him that knowing his name just doesn't really matter at all. I think personality, power, presence, uniqueness and a lot of other qualities are what make a name. A name represents a person, it defines that person. By us reader's not knowing Bartleby's first name or Nibbles and Turkey's real name, we essentially don't know them.

QUESTIONS FOR CLASS DISCUSSIONS

Your Questions, My Questions….
1.Why don't we know anything about Bartleby other than what we see of him in the story? Is that a weakness of the story?

2. Why doesn't the Boss just fire Bartleby?

3. What does the Boss do for a living? What kind of company is he running? 
More questions to follow!

1. I think that by allowing us readers to know so little about Bartleby, it essentially lets us have a bigger reaction. Had we known so much about Bartleby, then we would know why he continues to say that he prefers not to, why he lives in the office, and why he refuses to leave when asked to do so. All the little things he does, and how he is so calm and polite when refusing to do a certain tasks, can make some readers angry but at the same time keep them interested in finding out why. The main point of the story is to find out why Bartleby does what he does. And in the end we still never find out. We were only given one subtle hint about Bartleby and then nothing. I think it makes the story more powerful and more meaningful.

2. Like I have said in other answers, Bartleby has a certain spot in the boss's heart. The boss just doesn't feel any anger towards Bartleby and his passive aggressiveness. The boss feels that he is doing a kind gesture that would be recognized by god. I think that the boss is sort of in shock that he literally told him that he was not going to do what the boss requested of him. So because he was in shock, he couldn't fire Bartleby. I also think that the boss kept him because in a way, he wanted to learn more about Bartleby and see what his next move was. He felt that Bartleby was an unfinished book that he just had to keep reading.

3. In the story, The boss was a lawyer who ran his own office on Wall Street. He had 2 scriveners and Ginger Nut who is the person who usually gets food .