5 Assignment 07

Studs Terkel suggests we stop thinking about “work ethic” in the obvious sense of one’s relationship to work or how one views the work that they do (Terkel, p.xxviii). He further argues that members of the working class are put down by members of the middle class, who are in turn oppressed by larger corporations. (Terkel, p. xxix).  All of this occurs because of the skewed standards of a work ethic placed upon everyone by society (Terkel, p. xxix).  He continues that with an increase in technology, we have machines doing the work that humans did-make things, so now humans can transform their views on work ethics and go on to other matters (Terkel, p.xxviii).

Now that humans are free to go on to other matters, they can focus on doing other, more meaningful types of work, as well as focus on finding this type of work.  This must be done carefully, to ensure that we do find work that is meaningful and fulfilling yet we are also still looking for work that causes us to have to think and use our minds creatively (Terkel, p.xxviii).  Terkel interviewed both blue and white-collar workers, and both expressed an unhappiness in their jobs and likened themselves to feeling like machines, robots, mules, and monkeys (Terkel, p. xiv).  Feeling as though an object or animal is just as capable of doing ones job is a reminder that one is indispensable and not truly leaving their mark in the world.  This feeling is very discouraging.

Terkel interviewed people who mentioned wanting to feel pride in their work, as if what they did had meaning. One taxi driver was proud of his driving abilities and boasted about how his customers even asked him how he does it so well (Terkel, p. xv).  Another person he interviewed was a waitress who takes pride in her ability to float around the dining room gracefully and quietly while telling her customers that they deserve her service (Terkel, p. xv).  Although these interviewees may be considered to have menial, blue-collar jobs that are not prestigious, the feelings of pride that they get from knowing they are good at what they do are insurmountable.

Terkel also writes of someone who gave up a stable job to pursue one that he enjoyed. This was an older man who did not blindly accept what he was told a work ethic should be and once he realized his human need to do work that mattered to him, there was no going back (Terkel, p.xxviii).  Terkel suggests that once we all come to this realization, finding work will be simple.  We will not be looking for jobs to do, but for something that occupies our time, our minds, and also lends us an income.

Due Sunday, October 30th, by midnight. Word count: 400 words. Please make sure everything is in your own words. If you paraphrase, make sure to include the proper citation.

In Working, Studs Terkel (1972:xxvii) argues that our concept of a “work ethic” needs to be wrested from its more banal invocation as the effort put into making a buck. Drawing on details from his writing, explain what you think Terkel is trying to say about work and “human matters.”