Bartleby (1970) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A clerk's polite refusal to participate gradually destabilizes his workplace and leaves authority unable to produce a clear resolution.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

A Quiet Hiring

Bartleby applies for an audit clerk position and describes his previous Post Office work. The Accountant hires him and begins training him in the office accounts.

Key Events

• Bartleby Applies — Bartleby applies for an audit clerk position at The Accountant's office. Characters: Bartleby, The Accountant Location: The Accountant's office
• Interview History — Bartleby describes prior work in the Post Office's dead letter section. Characters: Bartleby, The Accountant Location: The Accountant's office
• Bartleby Is Hired — The Accountant hires Bartleby as an audit clerk. Characters: Bartleby, The Accountant Location: The Accountant's office
• Training Begins — The Accountant tries to train Bartleby and involve him in office accounts. Characters: Bartleby, The Accountant Location: The Accountant's office

Polite Resistance

Bartleby repeatedly declines assigned duties with the same polite formula. His refusals transfer work to Tucker and Dickinson - Clerk while The Accountant remains strangely hopeful.

Key Events

• First Refusal — Bartleby politely says he would prefer not to perform an assigned task. Characters: Bartleby, The Accountant Location: The Accountant's office
• Work Shifts — Bartleby's refusals shift work onto Tucker and Dickinson - Clerk. Characters: Bartleby, Tucker, Dickinson - Clerk, The Accountant Location: The Accountant's office
• Office Resentment — Tucker and Dickinson - Clerk resent covering Bartleby's neglected work. Characters: Tucker, Dickinson - Clerk, The Accountant, Bartleby Location: The Accountant's office
• The Accountant Hesitates — The Accountant remains fascinated by Bartleby and hopes to persuade him to cooperate. Characters: The Accountant, Bartleby Location: The Accountant's office
• Warnings About Damage — Others warn that Bartleby's conduct damages the business and The Accountant's reputation. Characters: The Accountant, Tucker, Dickinson - Clerk Location: The Accountant's office
• Accounts Rejected — Bartleby declines to review the accounts despite The Accountant's expectations. Characters: Bartleby, The Accountant Location: The Accountant's office
• Client Files Refused — Bartleby refuses to assist with the First Client's files. Characters: Bartleby, The Accountant, First Client Location: The Accountant's office

The Failed Dismissal

Bartleby refuses accounts and client files, then announces that he will do no more accounts. The Accountant dismisses him and offers money and a recommendation, but Bartleby says it is inconvenient to leave.

Key Events

• No More Accounts — Bartleby says he has decided to do no more accounts. Characters: Bartleby, The Accountant Location: The Accountant's office
• Dismissal Announced — The Accountant finally dismisses Bartleby from the office. Characters: The Accountant, Bartleby Location: The Accountant's office
• Payment and Recommendation — The Accountant offers extra pay and a private recommendation to make Bartleby leave. Characters: The Accountant, Bartleby Location: The Accountant's office
• Bartleby Stays — Bartleby says it is inconvenient to go instead of leaving. Characters: Bartleby, The Accountant Location: The Accountant's office
• Office Remains Occupied — Bartleby remains after the staff leave, despite The Accountant believing the matter settled. Characters: Bartleby, The Accountant, Tucker, Dickinson - Clerk, Office Boy Location: The Accountant's office

A Building Without Exit

Bartleby remains in the office after the staff leave and continues occupying the building after The Accountant moves out. Tenant pressures The Accountant to remove him and threatens police involvement.

Key Events

• Office Remains Occupied — Bartleby remains after the staff leave, despite The Accountant believing the matter settled. Characters: Bartleby, The Accountant, Tucker, Dickinson - Clerk, Office Boy Location: The Accountant's office
• Building Occupation Continues — Bartleby continues occupying the building after The Accountant moves out. Characters: Bartleby, The Accountant Location: The building
• Tenant Demands Removal — Tenant demands that Bartleby be removed and threatens to call the police. Characters: Tenant, The Accountant Location: The building
• Employment Denied — The Accountant insists that Bartleby is no longer his employee but agrees to try to help. Characters: Tenant, The Accountant Location: The building

The Stationary Choice

The Accountant finds Bartleby on the stairs and explains that his presence causes embarrassment. He proposes several kinds of work, but Bartleby prefers to remain stationary, leaving the outcome unresolved.

Key Events

• Bartleby Found Upstairs — The Accountant finds Bartleby sitting on the stairs and addresses his continued presence. Characters: Bartleby, The Accountant Location: The building stairs
• Alternative Work Suggested — The Accountant suggests travel agency, airline, or ship work for Bartleby. Characters: Bartleby, The Accountant Location: The building stairs
• Stationary Preference — Bartleby rejects the alternatives and says he would prefer to be stationary. Characters: Bartleby, The Accountant Location: The building stairs

Story Breakdown

• Job Application — Bartleby enters The Accountant's office through an ordinary employment interview.
  • Audit Clerk Request — Bartleby applies for an audit clerk position.
  • Post Office History — He explains that he previously worked in the dead letter section of the Post Office.
• Office Training — The Accountant hires Bartleby and attempts to integrate him into routine accounting work.
  • Bartleby Hired — The Accountant accepts Bartleby for the audit clerk position.
  • Accounts Introduced — The Accountant tries to train Bartleby using the office accounts.
• Polite Refusals — Bartleby's repeated noncompliance creates practical and emotional pressure inside the office.
  • First Preference — Bartleby first says he would prefer not to perform an assigned task.
  • Work Reassigned — Tucker and Dickinson - Clerk must cover work Bartleby declines.
• Escalating Defiance — Bartleby's resistance expands from individual tasks to a complete rejection of accounting duties.
  • Accounts Rejected — Bartleby declines to review accounts.
  • Client Files Refused — He refuses to assist with the First Client's files and then rejects all further accounts.
• Failed Dismissal — The Accountant uses employment authority and financial incentives, but neither makes Bartleby leave.
  • Extra Pay Offered — The Accountant offers extra pay and a private recommendation.
  • Inconvenient Departure — Bartleby says it is inconvenient to go after being dismissed.
• Building Standoff — Bartleby's continued presence transforms an office problem into a dispute involving the building and Tenant.
  • Tenant Demands Removal — Tenant demands Bartleby's removal and threatens to call the police.
  • Stationary Preference — Bartleby rejects suggested jobs and says he would prefer to be stationary.

Directed by

Anthony Friedmann

Key Cast

• Paul Scofield — The Accountant
• John McEnery — Bartleby
• Thorley Walters — The Colleague
• Colin Jeavons — Tucker
• Raymond Mason — Landlord