Problem
Our Norton anthology observes that Melville's short stories are "enigmatic" and tend to "explore[] and engage[] the ideological discourses of his time" rather than "argue[] for any particular reforms" (1130, B-1265). This is certainly the case with "Bartleby the Scrivener," where Melville uses Bartleby to probe his protagonist's - and reader's - deep assumptions about labor relations and even the value of work itself.
Think about some of our other readings that also thematize work to offer an interpretation of Bartleby. Identify at least one of our other authors who might view Bartleby skeptically and at least one who might view Bartleby sympathetically.