Uploaded January 2015 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
This is a quick summary of Bartleby the Scrivener by Herman Melville. This channel discusses and reviews books, novels, and short stories through drawing...poorly.
Transcript: This is a story about a man named Bartleby who works as a copyist for a judge. The judge also employs Turkey, Nippers, and Ginger Nut, all of whom have interesting personalities that seem to balance out the work environment.
Work seems to be going fine until one day Bartleby refuses a request from the judge. Bartleby states that, “He would prefer not to.” This is out of character for the diligent worker, so the judge asks him again to do the task. Again, Bartleby states that he would prefer not to.
This behavior of refusal to work grows, as Bartleby then refuses to leave the office. He begins to live there, just staying at his desk, eating snack cakes, and staring out of the window at a brick wall.
The judge asks Bartleby to either work or leave, hoping to not have to throw Bartleby out. However, Bartleby continues to stay in the office, which forces the non-confrontational judge to move his business elsewhere.
Bartleby eventually gets thrown in prison for not leaving the building, even after the judge is gone. The judge visits him, but Bartleby remains distant.
In the end, Bartleby dies in the courtyard, as the judge reveals that Bartleby had worked at the Dead Letters Office before he had employed him.
Facebook Page - facebook.com/pages/Minute-Book-Reports/1148331925195691
Paper by Fifty Three was used to make this video.
Music: "For All You Know" from the Youtube Audio Library.
This is a quick summary of Bartleby the Scrivener by Herman Melville. This channel discusses and reviews books, novels, and short stories through drawing...poorly.
Transcript: This is a story about a man named Bartleby who works as a copyist for a judge. The judge also employs Turkey, Nippers, and Ginger Nut, all of whom have interesting personalities that seem to balance out the work environment.
Work seems to be going fine until one day Bartleby refuses a request from the judge. Bartleby states that, “He would prefer not to.” This is out of character for the diligent worker, so the judge asks him again to do the task. Again, Bartleby states that he would prefer not to.
This behavior of refusal to work grows, as Bartleby then refuses to leave the office. He begins to live there, just staying at his desk, eating snack cakes, and staring out of the window at a brick wall.
The judge asks Bartleby to either work or leave, hoping to not have to throw Bartleby out. However, Bartleby continues to stay in the office, which forces the non-confrontational judge to move his business elsewhere.
Bartleby eventually gets thrown in prison for not leaving the building, even after the judge is gone. The judge visits him, but Bartleby remains distant.
In the end, Bartleby dies in the courtyard, as the judge reveals that Bartleby had worked at the Dead Letters Office before he had employed him.
Facebook Page - facebook.com/pages/Minute-Book-Reports/1148331925195691
Paper by Fifty Three was used to make this video.
Music: "For All You Know" from the Youtube Audio Library.
