#7 Resp. BARTLEBY and the LAWYER

I wonder to what degree the Lawyer played a part in the deterioration of Bartleby. I know the question requires that I examine Batleby's role in the Lawyer's developement, but I feel that the two are too closely related to be evaluated separately. One would think that the Lawyer's disposotion worsens as a result of Bartleby's presence, but in m view the Lawyer's character is enriched by Bartleby's deterioration in so much as the Lawyer is allowed to feel like he's fulfilling his charity quota by putting up with B. By nursing Bartelby's passive aggressiveness he gets to feel like he's being the better man and asserting good christian values of patience. Meanwhile, Bartleby has no one to answer to and slips away. Though I feel that Bartleby would have done this regardless of the Lawyer's actions, which is what makes the nature of their relationship so baffling.