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What unusual profession did Bradstreet have?

User Datentyp
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Final answer:

Bradstreet's unusual profession was that of a scrivener, a historical job where individuals manually copied legal documents. He also handled multiple tasks such as conveyancing and drafting specialized documents, especially after taking over the master's office. Bartleby, an employee, was noted for his peculiar work behavior, reflecting the solitary nature of their occupation.

Step-by-step explanation:

The profession Bradstreet had in the narrative was that of a scrivener, which is a somewhat unusual profession today. A scrivener was a professional copyist, a person who physically wrote out legal and official documents before the invention and widespread use of printing technology. This job would have been critical in the era before typewriters and computers, as all copies of legal proceedings, letters, and other formal documents had to be made by hand. In particular, Bartleby is described as 'a scrivener of the strangest I ever saw or heard of,' indicating that Bradstreet had firsthand acquaintance with a most unconventional practitioner of this already unique occupation.

In addition to the primary profession of being a scrivener, Bradstreet's varied duties included being a conveyancer, title hunter, and the drawer-up of recondite documents of all sorts. His services extended further when he took over the master's office which led to a significant increase in workload and the need for more scriveners like Bartleby. The peculiarities of Bartleby, such as his perpetual presence in the office and avoidance of usual daily activities like dining, make his character an enigmatic figure in literature. Bradstreet's scrutinizing observations of Bartleby reflect a deeper inquiry into the human condition and the isolating effects of such a meticulous profession.

User Harold Smith
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