"Bartleby, the Scrivener," by Herman Melville

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT

DUE THURSDAY, MARCH 11, 2010,

@ 12:00 NOON EST

This week's homework assignment has four parts:

PART 1: Get to Know Bartleby

Read "Bartleby, the Scrivener," by Herman Melville (page 291 of our textbook)

You can also download an online version of the text at: http://www.enotes.com/bartleby-scrivener-text

You can also access an online hypertext with questions and comments to help you better understand the story: http://www.vcu.edu/engweb/webtexts/bartleby/

Here's a link to free audio book MP3 downloads of an audio version of the story:

http://www.thoughtaudio.com/titlelist/TA0049-Bartleby/index.html

Here's a link to a website with easy-to-digest information on the historical context of the story:

http://www.answers.com/topic/bartleby-the-scrivener-a-tale-of-wall-street-story-5

Here's a link to a website with a helpful plot summary:

http://www.answers.com/topic/bartleby-the-scrivener-a-tale-of-wall-street-story-1

Here's a link with insightful information about the characters:

http://www.answers.com/topic/bartleby-the-scrivener-a-tale-of-wall-street-story-2

Here's a link to an extensive, thorough study guide:
http://www.cummingsstudyguides.net/Guides6/Bartleby.html

PART 2: Write a First Response Paper

Use the following writing prompts: What was your impression of the lawyer? What was your impression of Bartleby? What kinds of emotions did Bartleby evoke in you? Who was most annoying -- the lawyer, or Bartleby? Why? Who did you sympathize with most -- the lawyer, or Bartleby? Why? What aspect of the work affected you most? Why?

Or free-write your own response.

Be sure to provide specific textual details and quotations from the story to justify and/or explain your response to the story. Remember, a first response is not a summary -- use 3-5 quotations from the story and discuss how the story affected you.

Guidelines for first response papers are at the following link: http://english102wcc02.blogspot.com/2010/03/cemetery-angel-wrapped-in-snow-taken.html

PART 3: Post a Comment

Post a comment at Bartleby's World of Walls: http://english102wcc02.blogspot.com/2010/03/bartlebys-world-of-walls.html

PART 4: Prepare for Quiz on March 11th

Prepare your self for a quiz next week on "Bartleby, The Scrivener." The quiz will cover the surface-level details of the story. In other words, you will be asked about the content of the story, not asked to analyze it. The quiz will have a value of 25 points.