FREE ESSAY ON BARTLEBY, THE SCRIVENER

BARTLEBY, THE SCRIVENER

Farnaz Falsafi
215-13-8761
English 210
10/19/1999
Love In L.A.
There are many ways to develop a character in a story. A good development of the
characters is crucial to any story's success. In Love In L.A by Dagoberto Gilb, the
author does this in three main ways: by description, by action, and by dialogue. 
First, the main character Jake's personality is shown through the narrator's descriptive
tone, as well as narration of the story. In the beginning of the story we can see that
the author describes Jake such that one can make the assumption that he is probably
young, approximately 20. We can determine this because of Jakes manner and thoughts when
he is sitting in his car. His way of cognition is similar to that of a younger person
who's greatest preoccupations in life, like the stereotype of most guys, are cars and
freedom. When the author states that "[Jake] needed an FM radio in something better than
this '58 Buick..."(Meyer, 265), he demonstrates Jake's age cohort. The description the
author gives of Jake thinking about "crushed velvet interior with electric controls for
the L.A. summer, a nice warm heater...for the winter drives at the beach, cruise control
for those longer trips...(265) characterizes him as being youthful, in that he spends
time at the beach and can take long trips. The author also portrays Jake as an easy-going
type of person through description. Even though Jake had gotten into an accident, he
thought of it as "a harmless smack" (256) and he waved off the driver that hit his car
nonchalantly "to let the man know there was no problem as far as he was concerned" (266).
The reader can see the extent of Jake's casualness at the end of the story in which after
all that happened from the car accident, "his sense of freedom swelled as he drove ...,
though he couldn't stop the thought about the FM stereo radio and crushed velvet interior
and the new car smell that would even make it better" (267). Most people would be shaken
up after a car accident, even a small one, but Jake's thoughts are still on his sense of
freedom and cars. Besides, being casual, the author shows that Jake is a very confident
person using narration. He describes Jake's clothes as being "not unhip" (266). Gilb's
description illustrates that Jake believes that he is fashionable and modern. He feels
confident in his appearance and mannerism. Jake feels confident that he has successfully
prevented the girl in the car he hit to make some sort of scene. "He took her smile as a
good sign and relaxed" (266). Only a very confident person would be so stress-free right
after hitting someone else's car. 
Along with using description to portray the characters, the author characterizes them
through actions and interactions with other characters. The reader can tell that Jake is
one of those over-confident, girl-lusting type of guy by the way he acts toward Mariana.
First, after asking how she is, Jake "inhaled her scent like it was clean air and
straightened out his ...clothes" (266). It gives the impression that he is attracted to
Mariana and wants to look good for her. Also, when Jake thinks to himself that "she was
slipping away from him" (266), it shows that she was something like a goal; a prize for
him to win. Another action that demonstrates Jake's character is when "he followed her to
the glove compartment side of her car" (266). It portrays Jake as a confident person that
goes after what he wants. By following Mariana to the other side of the car, Jake
displays that he is not shy, friendly, and even gives the sense that he is trying too
hard to be amiable. Aside from being confident, the author shows the reader that Jake is
not a very honest person when Jake makes up all of the information exchanged between
people in a car accident. "He made up a last name and address and wrote down the name of
an insurance company and old girlfriend once belonged to. He considered giving a real
phone number but went against that idea and made one up" (266). These actions are another
example of Jake's indifferent and detached attitude. Not only can the reader see Jake's
character through actions, but he can see Mariana's as well. Mariana is depicted as a
cautious girl. When Mariana "came around the back of the car"(266) where Jake was, this
shows that she wanted to see what he was doing; that she was suspicious of him. She also
acts cautiously when "she was writing down the license plate numbers on his Buick..."
(267). Apart from being cautious, Mariana's actions prove that she is somewhat shy and
not very sure about herself around guys. Toward the end of her encounter with Jake,
Mariana begins to go along with whatever he says. Jake is obviously the one in control of
the situation. Mariana is gullible in that she believes all of Jake's lies about being
famous, so she "smiles like a fan" (267) and when wants her number, "she gave it to him"
(267). Because her trustfulness was so evident, Jake decides to lavish her with
compliments, to butter her up even more. To this Mariana timidly suggests that he should
call her, demonstrating that she lacks self-confidence. 
Finally, the characters' traits can be best revealed through dialogue. Not only can the
reader tell that Jake is outgoing and likes Mariana through his actions, but also by what
he says to her. One can tell that Jake is outgoing because he immediately shows interest
by saying, "So how you doin? Any damage to the car? I'm kinda hoping so, just so it takes
a little more time and we can talk some.... maybe we should go out to breakfast somewhere
and talk it over" (266). Another of Jake's traits can be seen in the conversation that he
has with Mariana. Jake is a very persistent person, and does not give up too easily when
he is after something. Even though Mariana states that she cannot go out with him, he
repeatedly pressures her. "You're not married, are you? Not that that would matter that
much to me. I'm an open minded kinda guy" (266). Jake asks her to breakfast, but is not
deterred when Mariana replies, "I don't eat breakfast" (266). Jake continues to persist,
saying, "Some coffee then" (266). "Thanks, but I really can't", Mariana refuses again.
Jake finally tops it all off, when he says, "So how about your phone number?" (267). In
addition to being persistent, Jake's characteristic of being laid back is apparent in his
speech. When Jake asks out Mariana, she claims that she, "[has] to work" (266). In
response to her excuse, Jake says, "That sounds boring" (266). By saying this, one can
tell that Jake is not a very serious person and that he does not find work to be too
important, as if he has better things to do. Mariana's character is also revealed through
her conversation with Jake. By refusing his offers, she shows that she is not easy and
has enough self-respect not to go out with complete strangers that have just crashed her
car. She is not fooled by Jake's charms. One can also conclude that Mariana is
responsible because she tells Jake that she has to work instead of go out. Mariana also
says that she "better get [Jake's] driver's license" and asks if Jake "has insurance"
(266). She is responsible in getting all of the information her insurance company would
need to report the accident. Thus, by seeing what the characters say, the reader can
distinguish the personality of the characters, which is reflected in the tone that the
character speaks. 
In conclusion, Gilb, using three different techniques, describes the story's characters
and develops them effectively. These methods include narration, actions of the
characters, and conversation. It is very important in the overall outcome of the story
for an author to polish and reveal the characters to the reader effectively.