What does the narrator mean at the end of the story when he states that Bartleby is sleeping "with kings and counselors."

Hermine Melville

What does the narrator mean at the end of the story when he states that Bartleby is sleeping "with kings and counselors." Did Wall Street have a role in Bartleby's demise? Think about the final words of the story: "Ah, humanity"? What is the significance of these words?

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Expert Solution

In a final act of protest, Bartleby refuses to eat and laterstarves to death in prison. Bartleby announces his individuality in an very fatal and dramatic fashion suggesting that if he cannot live as he "prefers" to, he apparently doesn't want to live at all. After Bartleby’s death , the lawyer is able to understand to some extent about his former employee’s history and mentality. He sees Bartleby as a proxy for the humanity with our handicaps and weaknesses that separate us. Our motto should be to try to be more connected and charitable towards each other.

Hayet Jeridi answered 1 year ago

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