Character Relationship Map: Bartleby

Characters

• The Accountant (played by Paul Scofield) — protagonist
• Bartleby (played by John McEnery) — supporting
• Tucker (played by Colin Jeavons) — supporting
• Tenant (played by Charles Kinross) — supporting
• First Client (played by Neville Barber) — supporting
• Dickinson - Clerk (played by Tony Parkin) — minor

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• The Accountant → First Client (Professional Client Relationship) — The First Client represents the office work and client obligations that are disrupted when Bartleby refuses to handle the files.

  Bartleby declines to assist with a client's files while working in The Accountant's office.

• The Accountant → Dickinson - Clerk (Professional Supervisor And Subordinate) — Dickinson - Clerk is part of the office structure disrupted by The Accountant's handling of Bartleby's resistance.

  Bartleby's refusals shift work onto Dickinson - Clerk, who resents having to cover for him.

• The Accountant → Tucker (Professional Supervisor And Subordinate) — Tucker is affected by The Accountant's decision to tolerate Bartleby's conduct and must absorb work Bartleby declines.

  When Bartleby refuses his assigned duties, the work shifts onto Tucker, who resents having to cover for him.

• The Accountant → Bartleby (Professional Employer And Resistant Employee) — The Accountant hires Bartleby, attempts to train and retain him, then struggles with Bartleby's repeated refusals and continued occupation of the office.

  Bartleby applies for an audit clerk position at The Accountant's office, is interviewed by The Accountant, and is hired. The Accountant later dismisse...

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• The Accountant → Tenant (Conflict Dispute Over Removal) — Tenant pressures The Accountant to resolve Bartleby's continued presence in the building, turning a private employment problem into a property dispute.

  Tenant confronts The Accountant, demands that Bartleby be removed, and threatens to call the police. The Accountant insists that Bartleby is no longer...

• Bartleby → Dickinson - Clerk (Conflict Resented Burden) — Bartleby's resistance burdens Dickinson - Clerk and contributes to the office's deteriorating working situation.

  Dickinson - Clerk resents having to cover for Bartleby when Bartleby refuses office work.

• Bartleby → Tucker (Conflict Resented Burden) — Bartleby's refusal directly creates additional work for Tucker, producing workplace resentment without a described direct confrontation.

  Tucker resents having to cover for Bartleby after Bartleby repeatedly declines assigned office tasks.

Story Analysis

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

Plot Progression

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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...
4. 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...
5. 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 unres...