By Claire DeMarco
A New York lawyer hires Bartleby as a scrivener, a person who makes copies of wills and other legal documents.
Note: This short story was written in 1853. Neither Xerox nor computer printouts were available, and any duplication had to be done by diligently copying original forms.
His employer is initially pleased with his work, but after a few days, Bartleby (not violently or defiantly) decides that he “prefers not to…” when asked to do some work. Refusal doesn’t occur for all work requests, but “asks” other than copying also occasionally get the “I prefer not to” treatment, too.
A sense of compassion and accommodation overtakes the employer as he accepts and tolerates Bartleby’s passive resistance. Even when he realizes that Bartleby is also living at the office, he tends to justify letting him stay. Bartleby becomes a physical part of the office, as permanent as the office desks and chairs.
The situation deteriorates further, and as Bartleby becomes even more elusive, how does the problem get resolved (or does it)? Why does Bartleby act the way he does? Is he emotionally unstable or just self-centered? Is his stance a statement about Wall Street and capitalism and the people who occupy it?
Note: Nobody has a definitive answer after all these years. And after you see this production, you can add your own thoughts and opinions to the ongoing, continual conversation.
An outstanding performance by Sam Tsoutsouvas as the narrator/lawyer and only actor in this production. He has a fireside chat approach as he tells us about the scriveners, their oddities, and who works hard and who doesn’t. We see these other characters through Tsoutsouvas’ eyes. He effortlessly conveys their traits and foibles. When Bartleby enters the picture, Tsoutsouvas’ emotions range from puzzlement, frustration, quasi-anger, pity, to acceptance. He makes it easy for the audience to envision the office setting, its occupants, and most of all, the enigma named Bartleby.
The set was the living room of a private home, which made the event more intimate and personal. At the October 7th show a brief discussion after the production explored different theories and thoughts about the lawyer’s relationship with Bartleby, as well as what motivated Bartleby.
Note: Theater can be anywhere. What a pleasant diversion to be entertained in the comfort of a theater-goer’s home.
“Bartleby, the Scrivener: A Story of Wall Street” was written by Herman Melville with adaptation by Sam Tsoutsouvas.
-CED
“Bartleby, the Scrivener: A Story of Wall Street” runs from October 8th to October 12th at the Tomayko Foundation Gallery, 5173 Liberty Avenue, Bloomfield. Produced by Kinetic Theatre. For tickets and additional information, click here.
