In “Bartleby, The Scrivener” by Herman Melville, the author implies that the major theme is that the choices made in our lives impact how we live our lives. The narrator and Bartleby make choices that impact what happens to them in the present and in the future. The narrator's characteristics play an important role in the choices he makes and their outcomes, as well as in Bartleby's stubbornness. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay The narrator wants to be nice to Bartleby and let him stay in his office until he decides to leave. Day after day, he asks him to leave, but Bartleby persists in wanting to stay. The narrator's choice not to force him to leave his house makes it more difficult to make him leave. Bartleby's response to every question is "I'd rather not do it." This spoken phrase appears several times throughout the story and reflects Bartleby's choice to answer no questions or do nothing at all. Even when the narrator shows generosity, Bartleby chooses not to listen. "The time has come; you must leave this place; I am sorry for you; here is some money; but you must go." (672) The narrator offers money to get Bartleby back on his feet, but he refuses everything. By not having made the choice at the beginning to make Bartleby leave, he incurs guilt for himself. He wants Bartleby to leave, but he wouldn't feel right letting him go and leaving him. The narrator chooses to leave his office and move to a new one, leaving Bartleby where he is. His business partners later tell him that Bartleby roams the complex and disturbs them at night. The narrator's decision not to get rid of Bartleby sooner put him in this situation. Something must be done about him and the narrator sends him to prison. Bartleby dies in prison and the theme of the impact of choices comes to the fore. The narrator feels guilty for not being able to help Bartleby, but if he had gotten rid of him sooner, this might not have happened. On the other hand, if Bartleby had left the office, he wouldn't have died and might have a job and money. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized article from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay With choices made by the narrator and Bartleby, they shaped the story from start to finish with this major theme. Every decision anyone makes, even today, has a strong and lasting impact on themselves and others. Good or bad choices make us the unique individuals we are with their impacts on us and on the people around us..