Paradox

Bartleby is stubborn, self-absorbed, rebellious, and insubordinate, yet many readers, and even the narrator, the Boss himself, have a deep sympathy for him. Why?
Others?

The readers and the narrator have sympathy for him because he seems like an ill person that doesn't know what to do anymore. It may also seem the Bartleby may have some mental issues and people with mental issues are usually helped a lot more no matter how annoying they are. Another reason is the saying " don't judge a book by its cover." It was too soon to judge Bartleby given the fact that we did not know the reason why he would not conform to help our like the other employee's. This also may apply for the boss because he did not know the reason and he kept asking throughout the story why he wouldn't listen.