Not So Normal Employee

The beginning of the story "Bartleby the Scrivener" was confusing at first because Bartleby was not introduced in the story. Instead, Melville chose to introduce and explain his characters Turkey, Nippers, and Ginger Nut. He spends quite a few pages explaining "each of their respective persons or characters." However, when I felt that these nicknames were not very reflective of their character, even though a nickname most often is a reflection of an individual's persona. I also noticed that Turkey and Nippers are opposites in a way (i.e. one is angry, while one is happy, and vice versa). So why introduce with these characters? I think that the narrator is trying to give us some inclination of typical scriveners and their typical actions. Although employees may have odd quirks (as these characters do), they are not like Bartleby. Additionally, the employer relies upon these men; he also asked them for their opinions on Bartleby. In using the three employees to begin the story, the narrator brings the reader into the realization of what an anomaly Bartleby truly is.