Bartleby the Scrivener Essay "Bartleby the Scrivener" is a short story written by Herman Melville. The plot is based on the character Bartleby, an office worker who decides to stop doing his work. Bartleby is thrown in prison because he does not adapt to society's expectations. It is in prison where he dies a lonely man. The Story of "Bartleby the Scrivener" can be interpreted from a social, psychological and moral standpoint. Bartleby teaches many lessons which are learned through his social status situation in the story. The main theme in this short story is that it is extremely hard to go against