Melville and Hawthorne : a reinterpretation of Bartleby the Scrivener

application/pdfAN00000289-20100726-133Herman Melville's Bartleby, the Scrivener (1853) was composed in a period when Melville was under the strong influence of Nathaniel Hawthorne, whose friendship he valued most, sharing similar aesthetic interests and ideas. When closely examined, the story shows a revealing connection with Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter (1850) in its narrative framework and sequence of episodes. The comparison between the two works suggests that Melville's original intention was to create a story that would stand in striking contrast to the other. This idea offers a new approach to the author's mind, adding increased depth and insight into our understanding of his work.論文departmental bulletin pape