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A ladder out of the ordinary

Bartleby adopts a strategy towards work expectations with a simple refusal "I prefer not to", to astonishing effect.

  • Bartleby

“I would prefer not to,” said he. I looked at him steadfastly. His face was leanly composed; his gray eye dimly calm. Not a wrinkle of agitation rippled him. Had there been the least uneasiness, anger, impatience or impertinence in his manner; in other words, had there been any thing ordinarily human about him, doubtless I should have violently dismissed him from the premises. But as it was, I should have as soon thought of turning my pale plaster-of-paris bust of Cicero out of doors. I stood gazing at him awhile, as he went on with his own writing, and then reseated myself at my desk. This is very strange, thought I. What had one best do?(Bartleby, The Scrivener, Herman Melville, 1856)

Concept: Mari Sanden
Production: Tore Reisch
 

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