Bartleby the Schrivener in-passing drops a reference to the endemic alcoholism in the USA at the time. They hire Bartleby because the other two clerks are booze pooches and one shows up hungover and his work improves and the other shows up sober but starts to drink so his work degrades.
At the time? Oh buddy, I have some upsetting news for you. The majority of American adults are alcoholics, they’re just not as drunk during work hours specifically. There isn’t an absolute quantity or frequency threshold for alcoholism, people just ignore the problem until it starts impeding work or social activity.
Bartleby the Schrivener in-passing drops a reference to the endemic alcoholism in the USA at the time. They hire Bartleby because the other two clerks are booze pooches and one shows up hungover and his work improves and the other shows up sober but starts to drink so his work degrades.
At the time? Oh buddy, I have some upsetting news for you. The majority of American adults are alcoholics, they’re just not as drunk during work hours specifically. There isn’t an absolute quantity or frequency threshold for alcoholism, people just ignore the problem until it starts impeding work or social activity.