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!
The beginning lines (with quotation marks) suggest a quote, which the entire poem is predicated around. The annoying tone illuminates the idea that the speaker, who is presented as an anonymous “we”, does not glorify those who refuse to secure themselves down when a “big gale” comes. The third line begins the conversational tone – without capital letters – and continues the hyperbole of the wind metaphor. While the hopeless situation comes into focus, the author simultaneously crates a comical tone.
Shari's observation of how the author creates a comical tone, illuminated with imagery of "fall[ing] on your ass and be blown into the forest"; at the same time, the humorous tone softens the overall message: sometimes you have to keep flapping your arms, looking like a fool, to catch up to those who "didn't batten" down. Because this poem is directed towards Bartleby, Collins appears to bestowing valuable advice to him through a witty metaphor.
Like Shari said, the poem is centered around the metaphor of the wind and mainly conveys a comical tone. The fact that the strong-headed are “pushed backward an inch every twenty minutes” suggests the farcical nature of their pointless attempt to try to achieve an unattainable goal. The wind pushes them back little by little, as if to mock them and prolong their torture. In the end, their downfall is slow, yet completely certain. With these two lines, the author initiates the comical tone that is maintained throughout the rest of the poem.
When I first read the poem, I also thought Collins was writing in an effort to mock Bartleby's plight, but after closer examination, I found that Collins is also making a statement about isolationism. The poem begins with an isolated "some people" that are refusing to "batten down" and that "some" grows into many when the original isolated skaters "catch up" to others of their kind and they "ride the great wind north" together. Is Collins criticizing isolationism since all isolated people end up together?
I believe that Collins is criticizing isolationism because it hinders contribution to an ultimate goal. To the people who "refuse to batten down" Collins compares to someone skating into a sixty mile an hour wind which eventually pushes them back to land. This imagery relates to Bartleby who "would prefer not to." Bartleby's refusal to help the other law clerks hinders their cause just like as the skater skating into the wind. Neither one progresses forward. Collins thus suggests isolationism is a hindering force.
I agree with you, Rob, but Kelsey’s question should still be brought forth and considered. At the end, the protagonist is not alone; rather, he is with “other flying people who refuse to batten down.” There is an element of community, or togetherness, which ends the poem – the final thought. Although isolationism is a solo deal, others are ironically found in the process. Even though the process was useless (in fact, counterproductive), it allowed the protagonist to find others. It seems there is an element of acceptance in the final stanza.
Rob and Shari, you both make very valid points that could be combined into one claim. Altogether, I think we can agree that in his poem, Collins criticizes the efforts, or lack thereof, of all isolationists who "prefer not to" complete the actions deemed appropriate by their respective societies (in Bartleby's case, he doesn't complete his scrivener tasks and the skaters don't shrink away from the wind). He uses regressive imagery to imply the hindering nature of isolationism and a humorous tone to mock how counterproductive isolationism can be.
I think that the fact that a person catches up to "other flying people who refused to batten down" means that that person will end up at the same place as those other people. This is a metaphor; it does not mean that a person will necessarily establish a connection with those other people and break out of his or her isolation. To this end, I disagree with Shari that the protagonist is able to find others and achieve some solution to his or her isolationism. However, I do agree that there is an element of acceptance in the end, almost to suggest that this is an inevitable process of life.
Contrasting Kelsey's point, isolation is not always counterproductive. Bartleby is able to accomplish his scrivener tasks with great speed and accuracy, almost machine like. But when he is asked to participate in tasks which go beyond the analytical -- such as reading over legal documents with all of the clerks -- he "prefers not to." Melville could be suggesting that isolation is either caused by the inability to work beyond the purely analytical or he could be suggesting that isolation causes one to become incapable of working beyond the analytical.
I agree with Rob: "isolation is not always counterproductive." Through isolation, Bartleby finds freedom; he is able to do whatever he pleases and refrain from things he "prefers not." I believe Collins concurs with this philosophy--for Bartleby does not "batten down", but goes against the norm, taking advantage of his free will. Skating against the wind seems irrational; however, the skaters find a liberty in doing so as they “exchange knowing waves.”
The beginning lines (with quotation marks) suggest a quote, which the entire poem is predicated around. The annoying tone illuminates the idea that the speaker, who is presented as an anonymous “we”, does not glorify those who refuse to secure themselves down when a “big gale” comes. The third line begins the conversational tone – without capital letters – and continues the hyperbole of the wind metaphor. While the hopeless situation comes into focus, the author simultaneously crates a comical tone.
ReplyDeleteShari's observation of how the author creates a comical tone, illuminated with imagery of "fall[ing] on your ass
Deleteand be blown into the forest"; at the same time, the humorous tone softens the overall message: sometimes you have to keep flapping your arms, looking like a fool, to catch up to those who "didn't batten" down. Because this poem is directed towards Bartleby, Collins appears to bestowing valuable advice to him through a witty metaphor.
This is Georgi's post:
DeleteLike Shari said, the poem is centered around the metaphor of the wind and mainly conveys a comical tone. The fact that the strong-headed are “pushed backward an inch every twenty minutes” suggests the farcical nature of their pointless attempt to try to achieve an unattainable goal. The wind pushes them back little by little, as if to mock them and prolong their torture. In the end, their downfall is slow, yet completely certain. With these two lines, the author initiates the comical tone that is maintained throughout the rest of the poem.
When I first read the poem, I also thought Collins was writing in an effort to mock Bartleby's plight, but after closer examination, I found that Collins is also making a statement about isolationism. The poem begins with an isolated "some people" that are refusing to "batten down" and that "some" grows into many when the original isolated skaters "catch up" to others of their kind and they "ride the great wind north" together. Is Collins criticizing isolationism since all isolated people end up together?
ReplyDeleteI believe that Collins is criticizing isolationism because it hinders contribution to an ultimate goal. To the people who "refuse to batten down" Collins compares to someone skating into a sixty mile an hour wind which eventually pushes them back to land. This imagery relates to Bartleby who "would prefer not to." Bartleby's refusal to help the other law clerks hinders their cause just like as the skater skating into the wind. Neither one progresses forward. Collins thus suggests isolationism is a hindering force.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, Rob, but Kelsey’s question should still be brought forth and considered. At the end, the protagonist is not alone; rather, he is with “other flying people who refuse to batten down.” There is an element of community, or togetherness, which ends the poem – the final thought. Although isolationism is a solo deal, others are ironically found in the process. Even though the process was useless (in fact, counterproductive), it allowed the protagonist to find others. It seems there is an element of acceptance in the final stanza.
ReplyDeleteGeorgi was here
ReplyDelete?
DeleteMr. Shah wrote it to test my account..:DD
DeleteRob and Shari, you both make very valid points that could be combined into one claim. Altogether, I think we can agree that in his poem, Collins criticizes the efforts, or lack thereof, of all isolationists who "prefer not to" complete the actions deemed appropriate by their respective societies (in Bartleby's case, he doesn't complete his scrivener tasks and the skaters don't shrink away from the wind). He uses regressive imagery to imply the hindering nature of isolationism and a humorous tone to mock how counterproductive isolationism can be.
ReplyDeleteI think that the fact that a person catches up to "other flying people who refused to batten down" means that that person will end up at the same place as those other people. This is a metaphor; it does not mean that a person will necessarily establish a connection with those other people and break out of his or her isolation. To this end, I disagree with Shari that the protagonist is able to find others and achieve some solution to his or her isolationism. However, I do agree that there is an element of acceptance in the end, almost to suggest that this is an inevitable process of life.
ReplyDeleteContrasting Kelsey's point, isolation is not always counterproductive. Bartleby is able to accomplish his scrivener tasks with great speed and accuracy, almost machine like. But when he is asked to participate in tasks which go beyond the analytical -- such as reading over legal documents with all of the clerks -- he "prefers not to." Melville could be suggesting that isolation is either caused by the inability to work beyond the purely analytical or he could be suggesting that isolation causes one to become incapable of working beyond the analytical.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Rob: "isolation is not always counterproductive." Through isolation, Bartleby finds freedom; he is able to do whatever he pleases and refrain from things he "prefers not." I believe Collins concurs with this philosophy--for Bartleby does not "batten down", but goes against the norm, taking advantage of his free will. Skating against the wind seems irrational; however, the skaters find a liberty in doing so as they “exchange knowing waves.”
ReplyDelete