A It emphasizes the lack of response: no answer was given at all.
Explanation:
In Herman Melville's <em>Bartleby the Scrivener</em>, the story revolves around the incompatibility of the narrator/ lawyer who hired Bartleby. But due to his 'weird' change in not heeding his boss's words, the narrator wonders why Bartleby suddenly decided to up and stop doing anything he's ordered to do.
Considering his previous work ethics and how he had diligently worked, completing all tasks assigned to him, the Lawyer was stupefied to find his requests refused. Bartleby's response of <em>"I would prefer not to" </em>for every request led the narrator unable to even scold him. Bartleby's calm yet firm response for all tasks and his slogan of <em>"I would prefer not to"</em> is the main focus of the story. And in consideration to that response, the use of the word <em>"not a word" </em>greatly emphasizes the lack or absolute absence of response from the expected man.
