Melville's "Bartleby the Scrivener": Introduction of Character In the first three paragraphs of “Bartleby the Scrivener,” Melville introduces a character who will be played upon and defined throughout his text. This introduction is crucial to the story and the fact that the lawyer introduces himself greatly increases its effectiveness. The lawyer begins with the words, “I am a rather elderly man.” This first “I” begins a long, autobiographical narrative in which the lawyer reveals much of himself to the reader. Because the story is centered on the lawyer's life, it is imperative that the reader have this close view of him.