Bartleby Allusions

Question 1

John Jacob Astor (1763-1848)

Answer 1

A German immigrant who became the fourth richest person in American history. In the time period “Bartleby” was set, Astor owned most of lower and midtown Manhattan, and stood as a figure of wealth inequality and represented the evils of great wealth to many people.

Question 2

The Tombs

Answer 2

A former municipal jail in New York City, built in an Egyptian Revival architectural style, notorious for being unsanitary due to the polluted pond it was built upon

Question 3

Chancery

Answer 3

Was the highest court in the State of New York from 1701 to 1847, abolished by the New York State Constitutional Convention of 1846, with a reorganization of the New York state judicial system

Question 4

The mettlesome poet Byron

Answer 4

An English poet who was one of the leading figures of the Romantic movement, ordered artists to paint him as a man of action, known for Don Juan, Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage, and Manfred

Question 5

Plaster-of-Paris bust of Cicero

Answer 5

A Roman statesman, lawyer, scholar, philosopher, orator, and writer, who tried to uphold the power of the Roman Senate and traditional structures during the political crises that led to the establishment of the Roman Empire. The rediscovery of his letters during the 14th Century is often credited with initiating the Renaissance

Question 6

Trinity Church

Answer 6

Trinity Church was a lightning rod in the debates over land owndership in New York. Trinity became the target of public anger when it closed down missions in poorer parts of the city in favor of wealthier areas. Trinity and Astor were sometimes considered “evils” together.

Question 7

Petra

Answer 7

An ancient city and archaeological site in southern Jordan, famous for its rock-cut architecture and water conduit systems. It was initially important for its close proximity to incense trade routes, but following the emergence of sea trade routes and an earthquake in 363 AD, the city declined and became abandoned

Question 8

Adams and Colt

Answer 8

In 1842, Colt was convicted of the murder of a printer named Samuel Adams, to whom Colt owed money for the publication of a bookkeeping textbook. Colt killed Adams with a hatchet the year previous to his arrest in what he claimed was self-defense, but he had afterwards concealed the crime by disposing of the body. Colt was found guilty and sentenced to hang, but killed himself on the morning of his execution.

Question 9

“With Kings and Counselors”

Answer 9

In a passage where Job laments his birth: “Let the day perish wherein I was born … For now should I have lain still and kept quiet, … With kings and counsellers of the earth.”

Question 10

Dead Letter Office

Answer 10

The dead letter office (DLO) deals with mail that both cannot be delivered to the addressee because of an invalid destination address and does not have an address to be returned to. At a DLO, workers open mail and read it to try to find an address.