Nippers Character Analysis in Bartleby, the Scrivener

A young scrivener in The Lawyer’s office who does a kind of changing of the guard with Turkey at lunchtime—Nippers is only useful after lunch, because he suffers from what The Lawyer calls “indigestion,” which could possibly be some kind of drug habit of which the Lawyer is unaware. Like Turkey, we never learn Nippers’s real name, as The Lawyer only refers to him by his nickname.

Nippers Character Timeline in Bartleby, the Scrivener

The timeline below shows where the character Nippers appears in Bartleby, the Scrivener. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Isolation and the Unreliability of Language Theme Icon

Next, The Lawyer details his employee Nippers, who is also a scrivener. Nippers is about twenty-five years old, has yellow complexion, wears... (full context)

However, despite these issues, The Lawyer considers Nippers a useful employee as a scrivener, as he is a good dresser, which adds an... (full context)

...hopes that Bartleby’s “singularly sedate” nature might help calm the erratic natures of Turkey and Nippers. The Lawyer then describes the layout of his workplace, stating that glass doors (which The... (full context)

...busy with work and resolves to deal with it in the future. He then calls Nippers into his office, and the two of them correct the copy together. (full context)

A few days later, The Lawyer convenes a meeting in his office, calling in Turkey, Nippers, and Ginger Nut, as Bartleby has just finished writing out four lengthy copies of a... (full context)

...believes The Lawyer to be correct in the fairness of his request. The Lawyer asks Nippers what he thinks, and Nippers says that The Lawyer should kick Bartleby out of the... (full context)

...the papers without Bartleby’s help, with Turkey commenting on how unusual the situation was, and Nippers cursing at Bartleby between grinding his teeth, and ending with saying that he’ll never again... (full context)

...Bartleby’s desk, until The Lawyer orders him to sit back down. The Lawyer then asks Nippers his opinion on whether he should dismiss Bartleby. Nippers calmly says that Bartleby’s behavior is... (full context)

The Lawyer states that Nippers has changed his opinion since the last time he asked about Bartleby, and Turkey exclaims... (full context)

...his screened-in area. The Lawyer asks Bartleby to go to the next room and summon Nippers for him. Bartleby, in a respectful tone, says that he would “prefer not to,” and... (full context)

Nippers enters the office, overhears Bartleby’s words, and calls him a stubborn mule. The Lawyer says... (full context)

...fearful” of being “hunted out by the incensed landlord” and his tenants, The Lawyer lets Nippers run the business for a few days while he spends some time in the suburbs.... (full context)