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Bartleby The Scrivener Alienation And Existentialism Analysis

1207 Words5 Pages

Christina Bove
Professor
ENG13
Term paper Isolation, alienation and existentialism all go hand in hand. All three combine make up a common theme in the following short stories, “Bartleby the Scrivener”, “The Metamorphosis”, “A Rose for Emily”, and “The Wall”. Isolation is the feeling one gets from being alienated from someone or society. Alienation can be defined as the emotional isolation, existenalism is knowing your fate is not in your own control. In Melville’s short story “Bartleby the Scrivener”, Bartleby is isolated from society. He sleeps, eats and lives in his office. Bartleby refuses to do daily simple tasks. The place in which Bartleby is symbolic. Bartleby’s office is isolated from the rest of society. Bartleby’s boss and coworkers alienate him from the rest of the office. One can say Bartelby knew his fate was beyond his control, thus his isolation and …show more content…

“The Metamorphosis” about Gregor, who dedicates his life to his family and work. He then gets transformed into a helpless insect. When Gregor becomes an insect he begins to discover himself and understand the world around him better. “The Metamorphosis” is an existential view which is a person has complete freedom to determine his or her own fate. For example, Gregor. Gregor not caring for himself is what eventually lead him to being transformed into an insect. After Gregor becomes an insect he is forced to make himself a priority. Gregor struggles being an insect because he has no idea how to take care of himself. Gregor has never made himself a priority and now he is forced to. All Gregor knows is work and to provide for his family. After being transformed Gregor learns how to have fun in being an insect. Gregors isolation lead him to his existentialism. Gregor hated his job and hated working, yet he continued to go to work on a daily basis. Being transformed into an insect was the only way Gregor could escape the working

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