Meville

"For a few moments I was turned into a pillar of salt standing at the head of my seated column of clerks." (Bartleby the Scrivener - p. 650 ¶ 32)


In this quote "a pillar of salt" is an allusion to the chapter of Genesis in the Bible.  In this story in the Bible, Lot is told to flee his city in order to avoid God's punishment on the citizens of the town.  He tells Lot and his family to not look back; however, Lot's wife lags behind as if she is longing for her hometown.  Consequently, Lot's wife turns into a pillar of salt.  Just as Lot's wife disobeys, Bartleby disobeys the narrator.  Honestly, Bartleby "prefers not to do" anything.  


I think the pillar of salt allusion shows that the narrator is beginning to lose his patience with Bartleby.  Even though Bartleby never showed any anger or aggression, he still annoys the narrator.  After the narrator says this, he questions Bartleby wondering why he refuses to do everything.  I personally believe it is because the narrator allows it; instead of firing Bartleby, he still asks him to do his work.  I honestly think that Bartleby just keeps the work world interesting for the narrator.  Personally, I would get tired of the refusals, but whatever floats your boat.