Standing still, or moving forward?

 What does it mean to be a dynamic character? A dynamic character is someone who evolves, who changes internally, or who develops over the course of a story. They learn from their conflicts, and then change because of them. Another question that can be asked is, does the lawyer in the story Bartleby, the Scrivener exemplify the definition of a dynamic character? Or rather that of a static character; unchanged, consistent, and unaffected by their experiences and conflicts. I believe the second is the case. The lawyer shows what it truly means to be a static character. Lack of internal change and limited growth are the two main reasons as to why he fits this definition so well. At the beginning of the story, the lawyer is a very unattached employer. This reigns true throughout the rest of the story. No matter what Bartleby does. Even while Bartleby’s actions became more peculiar, the lawyer still had this same strange sense of detachment from his employees. Even though there are times that he becomes frustrated with Bartleby, there is no conflict significant enough that provides him the characteristics to be defined as ‘dynamic’. With these conflicts that he encounters, he maintains the same management style, continues to keep distanced views on Bartleby’s actions and continues to behave in a manner that is the same as before he had met Bartleby. The lawyer says, “Meanwhile Bartleby sat in his hermitage, oblivious to every thing but his own peculiar business there.” (166) This quote is reflective of the lack of depth the lawyer’s observations of Bartleby had. He did not try to understand more that what was on the surface, and what he saw of Bartleby’s actions. This limited his internal growth as he did not let these conflicts change the person he is. Near the end of the story, the lawyer does seem to have somewhat of a change of heart in a sense. However I do not believe it is significant enough to be able to consider him a dynamic character.