WORD DETECTIVES
In “The room was dim, with little light,” what does dim mean?
Not bright; poorly lit.
How many syllables are in reading?
Two (read-ing).
What is an inference?
A conclusion based on clues in the text and reasoning.
What is text evidence?
A detail or quotation from a text that supports an answer.
Where does Bartleby work?
In a law office on Wall Street (as a scrivener/copyist).
In “He was weary after a long day and needed rest,” what does weary mean?
Tired.
What does the prefix un- mean in unhappy?
Not.
A character keeps checking the clock and tapping a foot. What might you infer?
The character may be impatient, anxious, or in a hurry.
Which is stronger evidence that a character is nervous: “She wore shoes” OR “Her hands shook as she spoke”?
“Her hands shook as she spoke.”
What is Bartleby's job?
Copying legal documents (a scrivener).
In “Her reply was abrupt; she answered suddenly and without explanation,” what does abrupt mean?
Sudden, brief, or unexpected.
What does the suffix -less mean in hopeless?
Without.
Bartleby calmly says, “I would prefer not to,” when asked to do a task. How might his boss feel?
Surprised, confused, or frustrated.
What repeated words show that Bartleby refuses his boss's requests?
“I would prefer not to.”
What phrase does Bartleby repeat when asked to perform tasks?
“I would prefer not to.”
In “He remained resolute, refusing to change his decision,” what does resolute mean?
Firm or determined.
Break disagreement into prefix, base word, and suffix.
dis- / agree / -ment.
Why is Bartleby's calm refusal more surprising than an angry outburst?
He quietly refuses an ordinary workplace request without the confrontation the boss might expect.
Give one detail that supports the inference that the narrator is confused by Bartleby's response.
He is astonished/surprised, questions Bartleby, or tries to understand his refusal (accurate paraphrase accepted).
Why does the narrator initially struggle to respond to Bartleby's refusal?
It is unexpectedly calm and polite yet still a refusal; the narrator is astonished and unsure how to react.
In “The manager was perplexed: he could not understand the response,” what does perplexed mean? Which clue helped you?
Confused; “could not understand” is the clue.
Use the parts of the word to explain reconsideration (re- + consider + -ation).
The act/process of thinking about something again.
Bartleby continues to refuse requests even as the narrator tries to reason with him. What can you infer about his willingness to change? Give a clue.
He seems unlikely to change his decision; he repeats his refusal despite the narrator's requests.
Complete this reasoning: “Bartleby's refusal challenges the narrator's authority because ______.” Use a detail from the story.
Example: the narrator asks him to check/copy work, but Bartleby calmly refuses instead of following the instruction.
What conflict develops between Bartleby and the narrator? Identify BOTH sides.
The narrator expects Bartleby to complete office duties; Bartleby repeatedly refuses requested work.