For the first time in my life a feeling of overpowering stinging melancholy seized me. Before, I had never experienced aught but a not unpleasing sadness. The bond of a common humanity now drew me irresistibly to gloom. A fraternal melancholy! For both I and Bartleby were sons of Adam. I remembered the bright silks and sparkling faces I had seen that day, in gala trim, swanlike sailing down the Mississippi of Broadway; and I contrasted them with the pallid copyist, and thought to myself, Ah, happiness courts the light, so we deem the world is gay; but misery hides aloof, so we deem that misery there is none.

Summary

In this quote, the speaker reflects on a powerful emotion of deep sadness and melancholy that they have never experienced before. They realize that this feeling stems from a shared humanity with Bartleby, a pale and melancholic copyist, creating a sense of fraternity. The speaker contrasts the vibrant and joyous appearances of people they had seen that day with Bartleby's somber demeanor, leading them to contemplate how happiness is often visible and celebrated, while misery remains hidden and overlooked. The quote suggests that society often overlooks and misjudges those experiencing unhappiness, wrongly assuming that there is no misery present.

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