Steady Consistency between the Lawyer and Bartleby

 In the story “Bartleby, the Scrivener,” the lawyer is a static character. In the story's beginning, the narrator says, “I seldom lose my temper; much more seldom indulge in dangerous indignation at wrongs and outrages” (159). This sentiment is true throughout the play, as the lawyer explains the wrongs of his current office staff. The lawyer notices these challenges of his employees and works around their strengths and weaknesses. For example, the lawyer notices Turkey and Nippers are either more productive in the afternoon or the morning, so he accommodates these differences. Additionally, when the lawyer finds that Turkey could use a better coat, he gives Turkey one of his own. The lawyer is never overly personal with his employees but seems willing to help when he can. 

We see this theme continue toward the end of the story with Bartleby. When the time comes when Bartleby is no longer useful to the office, the lawyer tries his best to kindly get him to leave and plans to help Bartleby in any way possible. The lawyer does not get upset when he learns Bartleby is living in the office or will not do tasks; he is frustrated but tries to move forward in a kind and professional manner. The lawyer has long passages of internal struggle over what to do with Bartleby, not wanting to treat him badly, but still having no use for him. The lawyer says to himself, “You will not thrust such a helpless creature out of your door? You will not dishonor yourself by such cruelty? No, I will not, I cannot do that”(180). Throughout his time trying to get rid of Bartleby, the lawyer never resorts to extreme measures such as forcibly removing Bartleby or calling the police. He wishes to find Bartleby's help, but in the end, it seems Bartleby’s shyness and the lawyer’s unwillingness to take more extreme measures lead to Bartleby ultimately not being helped in the ways he needed.