As the popular saying goes, many believe offense is the best defense. Yet the best offense is not always necessarily the best solution. When it comes to modern power struggles, especially within our current political unease, the best way to fight is to defend what we have. This is the defense that relies on resistance, the refusal to accept or comply with something. Though there may be a universal definition, there is no universal practice of resistance. In the present day, one of humanity’s strongest weapons is the ability to refute dangerous authority. While resistance is often shown through protests and rallies, authors like Herman Melville and Sophocles demonstrate that there is no single blueprint for effective resistance, only people fighting for their truth. Throughout their works, Herman Melville and Sophocles depict a common form of resistance in humanity: passive resistance. In analyzing these portrayals of passive resistance, we’re able to understand the important role that resistance plays in contemporary movements.

Passive resistance is a non-violent opposition to authority, especially by refusing to obey laws (Britannica). Passive resistance is the most common peaceful, yet effective, method to challenge authority. Passive resistance is not by any means modern as we see its importance through the Theban Plays of the Greek tragedian Sophocles. Taking into account Sophocles’ Theban works, passive resistance plays the biggest role in his play Oedipus at Colonus. In this play Oedipus, the former King of Thebes, is exiled to Athens for being a traitor to his state. Seeking refuge in Athens, Oedipus feels supported and welcomed by the opportunity this new state brings him. However, this does not last long as the new king of Thebes, Creon, makes his presence a threat to Oedipus. Upon his entrance into Athens, Creon declares that he was “ordered by the whole Theban people” to “bring him to the land of Thebes” (Sophocles 181). Creon believes that he still has complete and power over Oedipus even after his exile because he is a Theban native: “you should have more reverence to Thebes, since long ago she was your kindly nurse” (Sophocles 181). Although Creon holds an intimidating role over him, Oedipus refuses to return to a state that only brought him pain. We see Oedipus question how Creon “can think to take me into that snare I should so hate if taken?” (Sophocles 181). Oedipus was able to see through Creon’s intentions. He knew Creon was aware of his past experiences in Thebes–exile, dehumanization, and treason–and understood he was in danger if he returned to Thebes as a traitor. As the odds were against Oedipus, he stood his ground and refused to comply, even in the face of unwavering power.

Similarly, this very same logic applies to the mid 19th century New York City streets where we follow a young scrivener called Bartleby. Bartleby, the Scrivener is a short story written by Herman Melville which showcases a seemingly proudly reluctant scrivener who does not want to do what he is told. In this story, Bartleby begins his reluctance in seemingly docile ways. Upon his arrival at work, the narrator urgently calls out to Bartleby, handing him “the fourth quadruplicate” to go over, but he refuses saying he would “prefer not to” and disappears (Melville 48). Bartleby refuses to cooperate with demands from his boss without fear of repercussions. He stays true to his preferences and continues to draw his boundaries whenever he doesn’t want to do something. To some, this may seem disrespectful, and even offensive at times, but the narrator cannot bring himself to hate or reprimand Bartleby. After receiving these responses, the narrator states that “there was something about Bartleby that not only strangely disarmed me, but […] touched and disconcerted. I began to reason with him” (Melville 48). Through his words, Bartleby was able to avoid a situation that would have otherwise put his job at risk. His opposition to authority through calmly stating his intentions, wishes, and boundaries showcases Bartleby’s form of passive resistance.

While it may seem ridiculous to some that a simple claim of opposition would work, there is no denying that Bartleby’s methods granted him what he desired. In his most reluctant state, Bartleby refuses to leave the office to search for a new home. Trying to reason with him, the narrator asks Bartleby to return to his home until “we can conclude upon some convenient arrangement[?]”, yet Bartleby refuses once more stating that he would “prefer not to make any change at all” (Melville 69). Though he may seem like a rebel, Bartleby stayed true to his wishes of remaining in the office peacefully until the police removed and arrested him. Even though his preferred plan did not succeed, he still refused to let anyone make a decision for him. Once in jail, Bartleby declined his former boss’s offer for food and stood his ground until the end: “‘I prefer not to dine to-day,’ said Bartleby, turning away” (Melville 72). His passive refusals gave him the opportunity to stay true to his wishes. As long as he was not harming anyone or anything he was allowed to stay true to his preferences. Even in the face of forcible authority, he remained passive and resisted against what he did not believe in.

However, there is still a question that remains: why would they remain passive? What caused these wronged men to avoid violent resistance? The answer is simple: they were moved by fear. In Sophocles’ Oedipus the King, we see Oedipus in his enraged and spontaneous nature. When confronted by the prophecy of the Theban traitor, Oedipus takes immediate aggressive action as he has nothing to fear because he believes he is the one to be feared: “I forbid that man, […] my land, […] and I forbid any to welcome him or give him greeting […] or give him water for his hands to wash” (Sophocles 82). Oedipus knows he has the power and influence to invoke people into compliance through fear. He is aggressive and ruthless because he knows it causes people to listen. Oedipus takes no mercy even for those innocent of treason; if you refuse to help, you are done. Yet we see a drastic change in character and principles in Oedipus at Colonus. In a heated argument where Creon attempts to take Oedipus by force, Oedipus claims that “They [the Athenian people] see both me and you: and they see also that when I am hurt I have only words to avenge it!” (Sophocles 188). In this instance the stark difference between who Oedipus once was and is now is clearly visible. Where he once would have used his power without a second thought, he is now left with nothing but his thoughts and words in hopes that it will be enough.

Although thousands of years later, we see fear shape the words and actions of another man in Bartleby the Scrivener. Throughout his story, Bartleby seems like an annoying scrivener who refuses to do anything, but in actuality, he is simply a man who is scared of change. Following Bartleby’s first expressions of reluctance, the narrator is unable to reprimand him because his “great stillness, his unalterableness of demeanor under all circumstances made him a valuable acquisition” (Melville 53). Though he may seem sporadic at times, being the best employee at one and denying basic tasks at the other, his differing actions are a defense mechanism. In order to maintain his life—his job, a place to stay, a purpose—he has to earn his keep and prove his worth. His unwillingness is overshadowed by his ability to present himself as an irreplaceable capability as a scrivener. Bartleby fears losing his comfort when confronted with questions, yet he does not say anything that shows his agreement or disagreement in his response. When the narrator confronts Bartleby about quitting, he responds with a vague reluctance: “‘I would prefer not to quit you,’ he replied, gently emphasizing the not” (Melville 63). By avoiding a concrete response, his words leave room for review and decision. If Bartleby stated he refused to quit, his words could be taken as aggressive, causing him to face harsher consequences. Yet, if he states what he truly wants, he risks revealing ulterior motives which could escalate the situation in the wrong way. Knowing all this, he decides to do neither. In doing so, he suggests what he does and does not want all at once. In avoiding a direct response he simultaneously allows his boss to believe he has full control over the situation while also suggesting which result he prefers. The fear of losing what he has forced Bartleby to take passive action to give himself the best odds of truly getting what he wants. These widely different yet strikingly similar characters showcase the power fear has over people. It shows what they love, what they desire, and what they wish to fight for. But why are they relevant, and why now especially?

The hard truth is that there will always be fear. No matter how it may appear, to who, or when, fear always has a way of influencing people. To many, that may mean hiding from something or someone. To others, it may mean leaving to avoid the issue completely. But there are a select few that choose to stand up to it. Those who refuse to comply with threats or succumb to their fears. These select few are the immigrants in the United States of America who refuse to leave the country they have grown to love. The promise of a better world, better opportunities, and a better future is what caused these people to chase what they believed was once impossible. And yet it was not impossible. Many were able to create the life they have always wanted. They grew families, businesses, cultures, hopes, and dreams all on their own. But unfortunately, the home they have built for themselves is being put at risk. These past ten months, the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been on our American streets invoking fear in people. Many undocumented immigrants have had to change their lifestyles due to the increased presence of ICE in their streets. Having to resort to constantly checking in on working family members, being unable to go to stores, and avoiding the outdoors, our immigrant communities are shrouded by an immense cloud of fear and doubt. And yet they are taking their own stand. Our immigrant communities are practicing their own forms of passive resistance.

The passive resistance that is mainly covered by the media is that of protests. During the summer of 2025, there were nationwide protests titled No Kings Day that stood against the Trump presidential administration and its aggressive immigration regulations. This is one way our communities showcase passive resistance. They use their first amendment right to freedom of speech and their ability to peacefully assemble to bring attention to the issue. A very similar event took place thousands of years ago with an old Greek man named Oedipus. In Oedipus at Colonus, we see Oedipus’ daughter get taken away by Creon, but instead of going directly after Creon, Oedipus decides to rally people who agree and are willing to fight with him. Oedipus asks Theseus for help who beckons people at the altar to block the roads and claims that Creon shall be “subject to the sort of laws he has himself imported here” (Sophocles 190). When thinking about this event factually, both Oedipus and immigrant families have had someone they love taken against their will. So many families have had no power to bring awareness to the family members wrongly taken from their communities until these protests. We have blocked streets, lobbied politicians, and spoke out against the authoritarian powers that plague our communities. While it may take time to show results, these protests raise awareness and bring like-minded people together to fight against an authoritarian power.

Yet there is another way people fight back that many may not know is actually resistance. It is simply the act of staying in America. While it may seem insignificant to simply do nothing, there is an unknown power in the silence. People are aware of the consequences of staying along with the possibility of being detained, and yet they stay. Our immigrant communities chose the most difficult option of staying and remaining loyal to their beliefs. Many came here in search of a better life, and they are not willing to let it go so easily, and a young scrivener from New York would agree. In Bartleby the Scrivener, the narrator tells Bartleby that he is no longer able to stay in the office and is telling him so he can “seek another place” (Melville 67). Bartleby was made aware that he was no longer welcome and had to leave, but he decided against it and stayed. The immigrant communities in the U.S. are taking a similar stance. They would rather take their chances and keep living the life they have known than start somewhere new once again. It is never easy to go against an authority directly, but by refusing to fall into compliance they are derailing their plans. There are still so many immigrants living their lives in the United States, and while they do live in fear, they are not letting themselves be changed and controlled. They are standing up silently against those who want them gone.

But why do we keep fighting? Is it not easier to simply comply and go back to our lands of origin? No, it is not. No one is expected to leave everything they have known and worked so hard for and start anew somewhere worse. Oedipus phrases this idea perfectly when he repeatedly refuses to go back to Thebes because he is happier in Athens, a place who respected him as a human: “you see this city [Athens] and all its people being kind to me, so you would draw me away–a cruel thing” (Sophocles 182). To see someone thrive in a community they have found is a wonderful thing. These immigrants have created a foundation for themselves. They found a better life, a better opportunity here in America than they could have ever wished for back in their home lands. When forced to leave, they are forced to leave everything they built, they are forced to leave the homes they worked so hard to love and provide for. That is no way to protect a country, that is no way to protect people, it is a way to protect control. Theseus once said that “angry men are liberal with threats and bluster generally. When the mind is master of itself, threats are no matter” (Sophocles 177). So take his words and act upon them. Do not strive to strike down a power, aim to protect what you love. There is power in peace and there is power in silent acts. Fire against fire creates disaster, aim to fight with your truth, your mind, and your heart because ultimately it is the only way to bring about productive change. True to Sophocles’ and Melville’s words, stay true to your ideas and morals. Only you know where your heart is, and only you know what place you call home. 

Works Cited

Melville, Herman. Great Short Works of Herman Melville: With an Introd. by Jerry Allen. Harper & Row, 1966.

Sophocles. Trans. Mark Griffith. Sophocles I. Edited by David Grene et al., University of Chicago Press, 2013.