Discuss the conflict of the individuals’ need to communicate his individual thoughts and feelings versus the desire of society’s institutions, for conformity in Melville’s “Bartleby, the Scrivener” and Updike’s “A & P. ” In Herman Melville’s “Bartleby, the Scrivener” and John Updike’s “A & P,” the conflict of the individual thoughts and feelings versus the desire of society’s institutions for conformity occurs with the characters who were different. Initially, a scrivener is someone who copies things for a living. The title “Bartleby, the Scrivener” describes Bartleby the complete opposite of what he actually is.
He is asked to “join this interesting group. ” The narrator describes Bartleby as enclosing himself behind the walls of his office. These walls represent the walls Bartleby builds – not physical wall, but communication barriers. The walls between him and society provide security for Bartleby. His refusal to be like everybody else establishes his difference. He is later fired for his differences and eventually dies. In John Updike’s “A & P,” Updike establishes another communication barrier against society’s desire for confirmation.
The three girls in the story offend the “sheep” by wearing only bathing suits in the store. The store manager, fearful of their disturbance, reminds them of where they are. He is scared that the “old and gray sheep’s” conformity will be corrupted. This establishes the point that people who are different are punished for their differences. In conclusion, Herman Melville’s “Bartleby, the Scrivener” and John Updike’s “A & P” establish that society feels that it is necessary for all people to conform. The walls built in the stories threaten society’s conformation; therefore, they are punished.