Abstract：After a series of business successes, Herman Melville, one of the great American romanticist writers, makes his works more recondite. “Bartleby, the Scrivener” published in 1853 is one of them. Herman Melville casts the protagonist as a real, concrete tragic figure through lavish usage of symbolism. This article aims to reveal its symbols, including Bartleby himself, Wall, and Transcendentalism, and makes its obscure writing clearer.

Key Words: “Bartleby the Scrivener” symbol wall transcendentalism

Contents

Abstract

摘要

Introduction-1

Chapter One: Self-reflection of Herman Melville-2

1.1 Unpopular writers against consumerism-3

1. 2. Concealed biography for Melville himself-4

1. 3 pioneering influence of the Romanist-5

Chapter Two: Wall of perception-6

2. 1 walls inside the office building-6

2. 2 walls outside the office building-7

2. 3 Melville’s prescription for Bartleby’s dilemma-9

Chapter Three: Dead letter to Transcendentalists-10

3. 1 the lawyer as materialist-11

3. 2 Bartleby as idealist-12

3. 3 Melville’s philosophical standing-13

Conclusion-14

Bibliography:-15

Acknowledgment:-16