Bartleby

Two quirky short stories by Melville published in the Penguin 60s series.

Bartleby (The Scrivener) is a hugely entertaining and well written story told by a nameless narrator about a recent employee - Bartleby, a copyist (or scrivener as they were known at the time(1850s)). Once employed and asked to do anything responds “I would prefer not to.”
The narrators mood over time changes from outrage to resentment, to puzzlement and to sympathy. The story doesn't resolve itself, rather it leaves the reader to make an assessment as to Bartleby's motivation (or rather lack of motivation).

Updated: How could I have forgotten to comment on the mention this story gets on the Archer episode called Skorpio. “I would prefer not to. Bartleby, the Scrivener? Anybody? Not a big Melville crowd here, huh? He's not an easy read.” Have to say I didn't make the connection until I read the book, even though it has been in my shelf for few years already.

The Lightning-rod Man is a very short tale, set on a stormy night by a nameless narrator who has a stranger turn up at his door. The stranger is a lightning rod salesman, who does his best to pitch his wares to the disbelieving narrator. This story is interpreted as Melville showing a strongly independent American spirit of the time (1850s).

Good reads at 4/5 stars for me.