The Evolution of the Lawyer in "Bartleby": Examining Static vs. Dynamic Characterization

 Are you a static or dynamic person? Do you go through little to no change? The lawyer certainly does not. In the story "Bartleby, the Scrivener," the narrator who is both the boss and a lawyer, tells the story of his crazy and mysterious encounter with a copyist named Bartleby. Throughout the story, the lawyer character goes through little to no change, which leads to the conclusion that he is a static character.

A static character as described in the book provided by my professor is a character that goes through no change (the opposite of a dynamic character who changes). Therefore, a quotation that supports this is from the first paragraph of the story, where the narrator introduces himself as someone who prefers certainty and routine in his daily life. He states, "I am a man who, from his youth upwards, has been filled with a profound conviction that the easiest way of life is the best,"(Page 158). This line sets the tone for the rest of the story, as the lawyer's preference for an easy and predictable life remains the same throughout the story and his interactions with Bartleby. Another short reason why he is a static character is that he remembers his employee's routine and when Bartleby shows a normal routine and keeps to himself, it throws him off since he is used to knowing everything about his employees. He knows his employees strange habits and when someone is normal it throws him off. Towards the end of the story when he reflects on the events with Bartleby. Despite the strange and challenging situation, the lawyer admits he is not a person that’s easily unhinged which reinforces the idea that the lawyer doesn’t experience a lot of growth or change in interactions with Bartleby.

Overall, the evidence from the text supports the conclusion that the lawyer in "Bartleby, the Scrivener" is a static character. His never-changing personality and lack of personal growth throughout the story demonstrates his resistance to change.