THE WALLS

The Walls, The Alienation Of Bartleby

The Walls, The Alienation Of Bartleby

Introduction

In "Bartleby", Melville practically hits readers over the head with the references to "walls." The story takes place on Wall Street. The office is surrounded by walls on all sides. The office is separated by partition walls. In the prison at the end, the narrator finds Bartelby sitting with his face towards a high wall.

Walls are a symbol of separation, and in this story represent Bartleby's separation from both reality and other people. He is suffering from psychological walls that keep him isolated, uncomfortable with human contact. He has ...