Bartleby And Daisy Miller

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The non-conforming, resistant behavior displayed by Bartleby and Daisy Miller led to social isolation, rejection, and ultimately, their deaths. Throughout the two stories, it is clear to see, through the narrator’s eyes, that these two characters behaved “oddly” and in a socially “unacceptable” manner. Bartleby and Daisy were unwilling to conform to the rules and demands of their surroundings - society at large. As a result, society “cast” them out and their spirit and will to live was lost forever. Bartleby’s non-conformity was brought forth by his preferences. He “preferred not” to do tasks that were asked of and expected of him. The first refusal came on day three when the boss asked him to examine a paper with him. He politely replied, “I would prefer not to.” (Melville 10) Though he never became irritated during these “prefer not” exchanges, Bartleby sure irritated those around him. According to the boss, “nothing so aggravates an earnest person as a passive resistance.” “The passiveness of Bartleby sometimes irritated me. I felt strangely goaded on to encounter him in new opposition-to elicit some angry spark from him answerable to my own.” (Melville 13) Bartleby’s refusals in the office escalated and became more frequent. Finally, one day he declared, “I have given up copying” (Melville 21), and he stopped working completely. He totally shut down- incapable of meeting the demands of Wall Street society. The boss had no choice but to fire Bartleby. He was told he had six days to get his affairs in order and leave the office. .. is it no surprise that Bartleby “resisted” being fired? His reply was “I would prefer not.” (Melville 22) The frustrated boss reveals, “….a great change was wrought in me. I resolved to gather all my faculties together and forever rid me of this intolerable incubus.” “Since he will not quit me, I must quit him.” (Melville

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