The setting for this novella is mid-19^th Century Wall Street in New York City.  When Bartleby’s employer, a lawyer, asks him to do some work, Bartleby famously answers: “I would prefer not to.”  Why does Bartleby obsessively refuse work orders and why does his employer obsessively try to reason with him rather than dismiss him?  We will examine the obsessive conflict between Bartleby and the lawyer. What is the internal structure of each character’s obsessiveness and need for control?  Using our collective analytic thinking and clinical experience we will imagine ways we could facilitate Bartleby and the lawyer’s interpersonal world to open up to other possibilities and make room for personal growth.

Three Wednesdays in January: 4^th; 11^th; 18^th; 7:30-9:00 p.m.

Free: Limited to six (6) participants