As postmodern critics have stated, the rise of capitalism entailed negative consequences on the individual being. Society turned into a crisis of self-identification and still many people are dealing with the repercussions. As a result, low self-esteem and loss of identity lead to an increasing number of mental disorders. Critics like Deleuze and Guattari even argued for a link between capitalism and schizophrenia, claiming that “schizophrenia arises from the decoding processes characteristic of capitalism” (Holland 66).
“Bartleby, the Scrivener” by Herman Melville, presents this serious conflict between the individual and society. In the following I will argue that society is in a deranged state. Moreover, society stigmatizes Bartleby as being mentally ill which causes his social limitation and leads in consequence to his act of passive resistance.
Therefore, this paper will deal with two major issues: The conflict between the individual being and the social structure will be illustrated in detail. I will use Marxist terminology to help illustrate the main points of the capitalist exploitation of the individual worker.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Neo-Marxism
- The capitalist exploitation of the individual
- Fromm's concept of the origin of the individual and social neurosis
- Bartleby as a victim of the socially patterned defect
- Bartleby's act of passive resistance
- Conclusion
- Work Cited
- Primary Literature
- Secondary Literature
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper explores the conflict between the individual and society in Herman Melville's "Bartleby, the Scrivener." It argues that the deranged state of society leads to the stigmatization of Bartleby as mentally ill, limiting him socially and ultimately causing his act of passive resistance. The paper employs a Neo-Marxist approach, combining Marxist social criticism and psychoanalytical terms to analyze the capitalist exploitation of the individual worker and the concept of social neurosis.
- The impact of capitalist society on individual identity and mental well-being
- The concept of social neurosis and its role in shaping individual behavior
- The exploitation of the individual worker within the capitalist system
- Bartleby as a victim of social structures and a figure of passive resistance
- The conflict between individual autonomy and societal norms
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: This chapter establishes the context of the paper, arguing that the rise of capitalism has had negative consequences on the individual, leading to a crisis of self-identification and an increase in mental disorders. The chapter introduces "Bartleby, the Scrivener" as a text that exemplifies this conflict between the individual and society.
- Neo-Marxism: This chapter introduces Neo-Marxism as a theoretical framework for analyzing the text, highlighting its combination of Freudian psychoanalysis and Marxist sociology. The work of Erich Fromm, a key figure in Neo-Marxism, is introduced, emphasizing his critique of late capitalism and its destructive effects on individuals.
- The capitalist exploitation of the individual: This chapter explores the Marxist critique of capitalist society, focusing on the economic system's impact on social and political structures. It introduces the concepts of the bourgeoisie and proletariat, highlighting the imbalance in power and the suppression of the individual worker.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The key terms and concepts explored in this paper include Neo-Marxism, capitalist exploitation, social neurosis, individual identity, passive resistance, and the conflict between the individual and society. These terms, along with the work of Erich Fromm and the short story "Bartleby, the Scrivener," form the core focus of the analysis.
- Quote paper
- Natalie Pehl (Author), 2014, Disease and Decease in "Bartleby, the Scrivener". A Story of Wall-Street, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/294511
