If That's What You Prefer

"I would prefer not to."
Bartleby the Scrivener, pg. 659

Bartleby seemed to be disliked by most people, but I have to say, I quite liked him. He danced to the beat of his own music, without caring what everyone else thought. Therefore, I was saddened to find out how the story ended. A man like Bartleby, who didn't intentionally hurt anyone ever, in jail? More depressing yet, dead? It was a melancholy ending.
Now, I am no doctor, but I think I may be correct in diagnosing Bartleby with Asperger's Syndrome. The definition of Asperger's is an autism spectrum disorder that is characterized by significant difficulties in social interaction, alongside restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior and interests. I think it fits Bartleby exactly- starting with the social interaction part. He didn't seem to have any measure or recognition of what was socially acceptable, and was unbothered when everyone told him what he was doing wasn't accepted. Then, his habits were very routine- he mainly only ate ginger nuts, attempted to not leave his place in the office, didn't wish to do anything but copy papers. It all seems very routine to me, and when everything was moved out of place, Bartleby didn't know how to react and therefore went into shock, leading to his death. If only he had preferred to eat.