#1

In "Bartleby", Georg Simmel's definition of blase really rang true. The interactions i the story are between Bartelby, the employee, and the narrator, his boss. This makes the entire story based on the money exchange in the job world. Relationships in the workplace are generally supposed to be less emotional and more professional. The story is interesting because Bartelby is such an exaggeraed case of an emotionless employeess causing the narrator to become frustrated and venture into unprofessional waters. Simmel claims that money based interactions are a common denominator that bring all the people of the city together, but Bartelby is the exception. He cares not for money- he lives off gingernuts and squirrels his money away in his desk drawer, but he also isn't bothered by personal relationships- he lives in the office in the deserted after-hours financial district.