what relation does turkey and the other illuminate with bartleby
These three characters are very lightly drawn and probably demonstrate the ways in which people could look at Bartleby and his "I prefer not to" actions. They may very well reflect what the narrator himself thinks about Bartleby and puts these words in these characters' mouths to show a general attitude toward Bartleby.
I think this question has morw to do with the way Dickens characterizes these characters and the contrast he shows. Each of these characters does the same job, and each of them react to their job in a different way. Turkey is an alcoholic, Nippers has intense stomach problems, and Ginger Nut who is there for the education (if you can call it that; he certainly isn't learning the law as his father thought).
If you contrast these characters with Bartleby, we can see what the narrator sees....... he looks at each and consistantly attempts to figure Bartleby out, but let's face it...... Bartleby is boring, and the lawyer has absolutely no idea what to do with him.
This work is by Melville and Bartleby and his "mental problems" and his reflection of the way Melville himself was treated by society are entwined into this story. This is a story of Wall Street; it is also a story of walls. No one understands Bartleby anymore than they understood Melville choosing to write Moby Dick after having written all of his travel tales which were considerably more upbeat. It is true that the lawyer does not quite know what to do with Bartleby, but his attempt to treat another human well even in the face of his confusion is both admirable and pitiable considering what happens to Bartleby at the end of the story.
