"Bartleby the Scrivener" - Herman Melville

2. Why do you think Turkey, Nippers, and Ginger Nut are introduced to the reader before Bartleby?

"I did this very gently, however, because though the civilest, nay, the blandest and most reverential of men in the morning, yet in the afternoon he was disposed upon provocation to be slightly rash with his tongue, in fact insolent."

     Turkey, Nippers, and Ginger Nut all have redeeming qualities, but the reader automatically sees their shortcomings as more important than any endearing traits they might possess. These three workers initially seem to be the epitome of unprofessional and worthless workers. They aren't consistent, and two of them are insufficient for half the work day. The author's purpose in introducing them before Bartleby is to negate the indiscretions of Bartleby and establish a scale by which he can be measured. Bartleby appears to be a qualified and diligent worker until he "prefers not to" do something. From that point forward, he is just as worthless as the other three workers. The knowledge of Bartleby's character is more clear to the reader because he has three other examples against whom he can be measured.