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Bartleby, the Scrivener Quiz

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Summoning Knowledge...

About This Challenge

Bartleby, the Scrivener is a classic short story written by Herman Melville that explores themes of isolation, passivity, and the nature of work. In this interactive quiz game, players will test their knowledge of the story and its characters while racing against the clock to answer as many multiple-choice questions as they can.

  • Quiz game based on Bartleby, the Scrivener
  • Multiple-choice questions to test your knowledge
  • Use spells to help you along the way
Need a Hint? View the Facts
  • Bartleby, the Scrivener is a short story written by Herman Melville in 1853.
  • The story is set in a Wall Street law office in the mid-19th century.
  • The narrator is a lawyer who hires Bartleby as a copyist.
  • Bartleby's job is to copy legal documents by hand.
  • Bartleby is initially a diligent and efficient worker.
  • One day, Bartleby responds to a request with the phrase "I would prefer not to."
  • Despite the odd response, the lawyer tolerates Bartleby's refusal.
  • Bartleby's refusal becomes a recurring response to any request or task.
  • The lawyer tries to reason with Bartleby, but he remains steadfast in his refusal.
  • The lawyer moves his office to escape Bartleby's presence but is unsuccessful.
  • Other employees in the office are disturbed by Bartleby's behavior.
  • The lawyer learns that Bartleby used to work in a dead letter office at the post office.
  • The lawyer tries to find Bartleby a new job but fails.
  • Bartleby eventually stops working altogether and refuses to leave the office.
  • The lawyer is forced to vacate the office due to Bartleby's presence.
  • Bartleby is eventually arrested for vagrancy and sent to prison.
  • The lawyer visits Bartleby in prison and offers him assistance, but Bartleby refuses.
  • Bartleby dies in prison due to his refusal to eat.
  • The story explores themes of isolation, alienation, and the dehumanizing effects of industrialization.

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