Analyzing Borrowing a Leaf from “Bartleby, the Scrivener” by Herman Melville

This paper assignment is intended to get you to think more deeply about a topic of your own choosing in World literature. The idea behind any topic choice is to see connections or patterns in what we have read. Select a topic that shows reflection on an issue or an idea and discuss this in detail. The final paper should be in the range of three to five pages (excluding the Works Cited page). 

In your essay, you will argue for a particular interpretation, so you must support your claims with specific examples from the text. You may choose between writing a literary paper on Alexander Pope’s Rape of the Lock or Herman Melville’s “Bartleby.” Please remember that in addition to citing specific lines or passages of text, you must explain those passages or lines to your readers. Never assume that the text speaks for itself. You will use MLA guidelines for documenting, so please cite all in-text citation and have a Work Cited page. There are certain expectations readers have for literary analysis papers. One is that the ideas discussed show originality but depend heavily on the text.

Remember to NOT depend on lengthy biographical reporting or plot summarizing (except as it helps illustrate a point in your analysis).

Specific Criteria:

In grading your essays, I will consider all of the following:

1. Quality of the argument: Is it arguable and interesting? Is it clear? Is it fully developed?
2. Organization: Are thoughts organized clearly and effectively? Is there a thesis and/or blueprint?
3. Use of examples: Do you choose appropriate examples? Do you use them effectively? Are there enough?
4. Quality of the prose: Do you write clearly? Gracefully? Effectively? Do you make frequent mechanical (grammar, spelling, punctuation) errors? What is the quality of the diction and syntax?
5. Presentation: Did you number your pages? Is the Works Cited page formatted correctly? Are the in-text citations correctly documented?

Here are some topic possibilities:

1. Through the mock-heroic (or mock-epic) form, The Rape of the Lock allows Alexander Pope to satirize aspects of his society that he suggests are given too much importance. Identify two-three aspects of the society portrayed in the poem that Pope criticizes and explain how Pope uses the mock-heroic form to suggest this criticism.

2. As the story progresses, the narrator's views about Bartleby undergo several transformations, and Bartleby begins to have a kind of power over him. How does Bartleby's influence over the office manifest itself? Discuss why and how this occurs.
Please give the paper outline first before the main paper. And also use this thesis to write the paper Herman Melville's "Bartleby, the Scrivener" explores Bartleby, the titular character, who refuses to conform to societal norms. I want you to write on bartleby and not the rape of the lock... attached below is a sample of how the paper outline should look... so you are going to submit the paper outline and the main work . Thanks ... do not use outside sources .