Herman Melville 
The Piazza Tales 

‘The Piazza Tales’ is a collection of six short stories written by Herman Melville.


The first story, ‘The Piazza, ‘ is about a narrator who buys a house in the countryside and builds a piazza. He spends much of his time on the piazza, watching his neighbors and contemplating the mysteries of life.


The second story, ‘Bartleby, the Scrivener, ‘ is about a lawyer who hires a scrivener named Bartleby. Bartleby is a very strange man who eventually refuses to do any work, leading to his dismissal and tragic end.


The third story, ‘Benito Cereno, ‘ is a tale of a ship captain who is taken captive by his own slaves while on a voyage. The story explores themes of race and power.


The fourth story, ‘The Lightning-Rod Man, ‘ is about a man who sells lightning rods and claims that he can protect a house from lightning strikes. The story is a satire on the marketing tactics of the time.


The fifth story, ‘The Encantadas, ‘ is a series of ten sketches depicting the Galápagos Islands. Melville explores the history and natural beauty of the islands.


The final story, ‘The Bell-Tower, ‘ is about the construction of a bell-tower in a small town. The narrator becomes obsessed with the tower and the bell, and eventually commits a terrible crime.


Overall, ‘The Piazza Tales’ is a collection of diverse stories that explore themes of human nature, society, and the natural world.