Bartleby Blog
Using the Billy Collins poem, discuss how its meaning helps us understand Bartleby and the philosophical values which dictate his actions (or lack thereof) in the short story. Your contributions/comments need to occur at least 24 hours apart—don’t post two times in a row. Each comment must not exceed 75 words – so be concise!
Initially (in the poem) one perceives “not battening down” (not abiding by society’s expectations) as dangerous because one “falls on your ass” and moves “backwards,” not making progress. However, the ending has a triumphant outlook towards the outcasts as they (including Bartlebee) “ride the great wind north,” and the nonconformists are elevated and perhaps in a superior position than the conformists. Therefore, the speaker (a conformist (indicated by “we”)) does notice the freedom of isolation.
At first, I noticed the author’s repetition of things being backwards. The individual being examined gets “pushed backwards”, the “backs of your skates” touch land first. I initially believed that message implored was that isolationism was a backwards form of thinking. Piggybacking onto what Mariam said, it seems that by the end those who have not been “battened down” are flying above others, and exchanging “knowing waves”, as though isolationists (like Bartleby) understand their advantages.
In the poem, I found it interesting how the same "flapping arm" motion that occurred while being "pushed backwards" was essentially identical to the one that brought one flight. Basically, one departs from society's expectations, "falls on their ass", yet still embraces the freedom of isolation. However, I thought that while this poem gave isolation a positive "freedom" aspect, in Bartleby, it just ended in his imprisonment and death; differing takes on the same theme.
I also think the image of the ice skaters flapping their arms is not one of a hopeless or discouraging battle, but rather is like an image of a bird flying, a common symbol of freedom. Perhaps Collins was suggesting that isolationism, while it may be a seemingly useless struggle (the ice skaters being "pushed backward an inch every twenty minutes" only to fall on their asses), may eventually lead to a sort of freedom of the mind for those who persevere.
I agree with Genie about the different viewpoints. In the poem, the movement “backwards” is perhaps representative of going into the unknown, and when Bartlebee is completely isolated, he “exchanges knowing waves.” However, in the story, the narrator appears convinced that isolation brings “death” (19). Yet, he speaks about what he does not “know” about Bartlebee, diminishing his credibility, falling under the ignorant “we” who misunderstand isolation (in poem). Isolation seemingly brings freedom and knowledge.
I would have to disagree with the idea that the poem has a positive connotation toward isolationism. To me, what is significant about the poem is that it represents the theory that isolationists are isolated by choice. The "few" that are mentioned in the poem are not the few because of significant moral strength, but they are the "few" based on the fact that they are foolish enough to knowingly take on the big gale and be convinced that they will be victorious. In essence, isolationism is a losing battle portrayed in the poem and also in the short story.
I agree that in the poem there seems to be a suggestion that isolationism is a choice since the skater decides to skate in such conditions and since the skater does not only make no effort to pick themselves up,but also that they further "dig themselves in a hole" by "gather(ing) enough speed by flapping your arms" further into their dilemma.The regression of a graceful moment of ice skating symbolizes the same regression that Barleby leads himself in which by not fully realizing what could have been in his life due to his isolation and by him furthering himself into that isolation.
I have to agree with Evan. Isolationism is not endorsed by neither the short story nor the poem, and that both claim that once isolationism begins it cannot end. Both Evan and Mariam said that it was a choice, but even after the individual “falls on their ass”, they keep going onward. Is it not logical to give up or postpone the journey? Perhaps once they have started to isolate themselves they need to continue.
Amber, your question "is it logical?" is one that I think does not have an answer. Those who choose isolation do so because of some, as Kayla put it, "freedom" that they seem to believe in. It's unclear to me why Bartleby chooses the path he does, but it seems that that's the disconnect that we as logical readers have when reading Bartlebys story. We will never know if Bartleby felt fulfilled when he died, but that is the only conclusion that I can draw from the poem that shines some light on Bartlebys behavior; it's certainly not a realistic or worldly fulfillment.
Amber, I feel that both the text and the poem suggest that one does not even give themselves the option of 'giving up' their journey, it seems to be almost the same mindset of Meursault in The Stranger where it's suggested one moment has no more significance than the other and where it wouldn't really matter as to much as to if they need to continue their journey once isolated, but why it's significant that they do and how this gives more or less meaning to their actions.
To answer Amber's question, I think that these texts suggest that it is the nature of isolationism to be illogical. Like many things seductive (drugs and sex, for example), it may be a losing battle, like Evan said. But the liberation it brings, even temporarily, is enough to make the isolationist continue down his path, ice skating into a sixty mile an hour wind without any progress, as if it were an addictive drug that they cannot - and do not want to - stop.
Initially (in the poem) one perceives “not battening down” (not abiding by society’s expectations) as dangerous because one “falls on your ass” and moves “backwards,” not making progress. However, the ending has a triumphant outlook towards the outcasts as they (including Bartlebee) “ride the great wind north,” and the nonconformists are elevated and perhaps in a superior position than the conformists. Therefore, the speaker (a conformist (indicated by “we”)) does notice the freedom of isolation.
ReplyDeleteAt first, I noticed the author’s repetition of things being backwards. The individual being examined gets “pushed backwards”, the “backs of your skates” touch land first. I initially believed that message implored was that isolationism was a backwards form of thinking. Piggybacking onto what Mariam said, it seems that by the end those who have not been “battened down” are flying above others, and exchanging “knowing waves”, as though isolationists (like Bartleby) understand their advantages.
ReplyDeleteIn the poem, I found it interesting how the same "flapping arm" motion that occurred while being "pushed backwards" was essentially identical to the one that brought one flight. Basically, one departs from society's expectations, "falls on their ass", yet still embraces the freedom of isolation. However, I thought that while this poem gave isolation a positive "freedom" aspect, in Bartleby, it just ended in his imprisonment and death; differing takes on the same theme.
ReplyDeleteI also think the image of the ice skaters flapping their arms is not one of a hopeless or discouraging battle, but rather is like an image of a bird flying, a common symbol of freedom. Perhaps Collins was suggesting that isolationism, while it may be a seemingly useless struggle (the ice skaters being "pushed backward an inch every twenty minutes" only to fall on their asses), may eventually lead to a sort of freedom of the mind for those who persevere.
DeleteI agree with Genie about the different viewpoints. In the poem, the movement “backwards” is perhaps representative of going into the unknown, and when Bartlebee is completely isolated, he “exchanges knowing waves.” However, in the story, the narrator appears convinced that isolation brings “death” (19). Yet, he speaks about what he does not “know” about Bartlebee, diminishing his credibility, falling under the ignorant “we” who misunderstand isolation (in poem). Isolation seemingly brings freedom and knowledge.
ReplyDeleteI would have to disagree with the idea that the poem has a positive connotation toward isolationism. To me, what is significant about the poem is that it represents the theory that isolationists are isolated by choice. The "few" that are mentioned in the poem are not the few because of significant moral strength, but they are the "few" based on the fact that they are foolish enough to knowingly take on the big gale and be convinced that they will be victorious. In essence, isolationism is a losing battle portrayed in the poem and also in the short story.
ReplyDeleteI agree that in the poem there seems to be a suggestion that isolationism is a choice since the skater decides to skate in such conditions and since the skater does not only make no effort to pick themselves up,but also that they further "dig themselves in a hole" by "gather(ing) enough speed by flapping your arms" further into their dilemma.The regression of a graceful moment of ice skating symbolizes the same regression that Barleby leads himself in which by not fully realizing what could have been in his life due to his isolation and by him furthering himself into that isolation.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with Evan. Isolationism is not endorsed by neither the short story nor the poem, and that both claim that once isolationism begins it cannot end. Both Evan and Mariam said that it was a choice, but even after the individual “falls on their ass”, they keep going onward. Is it not logical to give up or postpone the journey? Perhaps once they have started to isolate themselves they need to continue.
ReplyDeleteAmber, your question "is it logical?" is one that I think does not have an answer. Those who choose isolation do so because of some, as Kayla put it, "freedom" that they seem to believe in. It's unclear to me why Bartleby chooses the path he does, but it seems that that's the disconnect that we as logical readers have when reading Bartlebys story. We will never know if Bartleby felt fulfilled when he died, but that is the only conclusion that I can draw from the poem that shines some light on Bartlebys behavior; it's certainly not a realistic or worldly fulfillment.
ReplyDeleteAmber, I feel that both the text and the poem suggest that one does not even give themselves the option of 'giving up' their journey, it seems to be almost the same mindset of Meursault in The Stranger where it's suggested one moment has no more significance than the other and where it wouldn't really matter as to much as to if they need to continue their journey once isolated, but why it's significant that they do and how this gives more or less meaning to their actions.
ReplyDeleteTo answer Amber's question, I think that these texts suggest that it is the nature of isolationism to be illogical. Like many things seductive (drugs and sex, for example), it may be a losing battle, like Evan said. But the liberation it brings, even temporarily, is enough to make the isolationist continue down his path, ice skating into a sixty mile an hour wind without any progress, as if it were an addictive drug that they cannot - and do not want to - stop.
ReplyDelete