Beginning of Essay
The concept of “self reliance” used by Emerson helps explain some aspect of Bartleby the scrivener, because it helps to give us some understanding of why he keeps himself isolated from others. It explains how Bartleby, is actually just being himself and bein ....

Middle of Essay
.... is unaffected by society and so called, normal life. He doesn’t do what he is expected by society, but rather what he expects of himself. After reading this Bartleby seems less abnormal, and begins to fit many of the characteristics Emerson uses to describe “self reliance”. In “self reliance” Emerson says, “Society is a joint stock company, in which the members agree, for the better securing of his bread to each shareholder, to surrender the liberty and culture of the eater. The virtue in most requests is conformity. Self-reliance is its aversion.” This statement helps to explain who Bartleby is. Bartleby does not surrender hi ....