Preview

Analysis Against Work

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
788 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Analysis Against Work
Analysis article "Against Work" by LI YUN LIU
In Christophe Clausen’s article, “Against Work,” he explores an idea of not working. In the reading, he contrasts the differences in attitude toward work between Americans and Europeans. Also, he addresses the questions about the essence of work and about the reasons of people engaging so much effort in to it. I believe Against Work is a successful article despite the fact that Clausen does not give his own definition of this topic clearly. He has a well-written introduction, body and conclusion. Also, Clausen has the clear and narrow theses in different parts of his essay. Lastly, Clausen has well explained examples and clear language to support his theses.
Although Clausen does not show what his opinions about “against work” are, readers are able to identify the introduction, body and the conclusion in the text. In the beginning, Clausen gains readers ' attention by telling him/her that he used to have different dreams in his youth. At this time, he never intended to work at all. Following the introduction, he addresses a question "what is the use of having money if you have to work for it?" (Clausen120). This urges readers to think about the real reason that people work is it only because of money? Then, he considers that it is the American way that defines yourself valuable by working long hours despite what you accomplish. (Clausen121) In the first two pages, Clausen does not clearly give his own definition of Against Work; either does he mention whether or not he is supporting this idea. Nevertheless, toward the end of the essay, readers can find there are many examples of other’s ideas as well as author’s own experiences that combine both working and pleasure. By reading again and again, readers can realize that Clausen makes an argument of not working. When it comes to conclusion, it is quite clear of Clausen’s idea because he is straight forward to think about early retirement which is different from what



Cited: Clausen, Christopher."Against Work." One Hundred Great Essays. Robert Diyanni. New York City. Longman Publishing Group, 2011. 120-6

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Satisfactory Essays

    Ehrenreich took the above ‘subjective’ and ‘objective’ framework to construct her essay. The specific content relating to that approach is further expressed when she uses the creative technique of comparing and contrasting the employment problems of the middle class and the working class which she describes as white collar and blue collar workers. She makes persuasive use and references, official reports, and statistical data. She draws heavily on the use of quotations, published works, subject experts, and published articles. All the above ‘moves’ or techniques are used by Ehrenreich to persuade and engage the reader.…

    • 279 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Review of Against Work

    • 1256 Words
    • 6 Pages

    During the class, the professor provided plenty of information and assignments for us. Because of this, I believe that I improve my English skills not only on the critical reading but also on the critical writing; by means of these two abilities, this week, I can utilize them on the paper included the content of analyzing the article “Against Work”. Consequently, in this paper, there are plenty of definitions of the article “Against Work” will be described as follows.…

    • 1256 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Work is defined as a job or activity that one does regularly in order to earn money, yet the concept of work seems to be a controversial topic many argue about. Those who do work are often happy with their job but there are also those who are dissatisfied. Perhaps this controversy is due to Social Darwinism, also known as the survival of the fittest, by brainwashing society to believe that success is being superior to others. This mutual theme of Social Darwinism is presented amongst the poems Night Waitress by Lynda Hull, Singapore by Mary Oliver, and Hard Work by Stephen Dunn. The biggest dispute is if people are working to survive or working to be…

    • 118 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Pttls Course Assignment 1

    • 925 Words
    • 4 Pages

    The Capitalist society that we live in values the notion of the work ethic or “protestant work ethic” as it is commonly known. The start of this movement is largely attributed to the 19th century economist Max Weber, who directly argued against the works of Karl Mark, and tied capitalism to religion to promote work as the route to salvation. Weber M 1904: The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of…

    • 925 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    “Jan Beatty’s My Father Teaches Me to Dream (1952) and Baron Wormer’s’ Labor (2008) are poems that discuss the same topic but the one poem portrays that work is necessity and there is no choice in the matter. Where the other poem gives you the impression that work is appreciated and amazing. Both works discuss how employment defines life. To some, work is just work and there is nothing to look forward to and it is just something that must be done. But, to others it is enjoying and appreciating their work because it is something they love do and would not want to do anything else. Both works give me the impression they are from a male’s perspective. In the first poem a male figure is speaking to another about the responsibilities of a…

    • 700 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The middle class’s attitude towards labor was not as strong as the working class’s attitude towards their own work. This is most likely because the working class had many more jobs to do than the middle class. Workers described their occupations as grueling and tiresome due to their long laborious hours. Even family could not provide relief due to their own fatigue (Doc 7). It came to a point where the vocation began to sicken the employees. Some become sick, anemic, or dizzy as a result of all the effort (Doc 9). Some of the poor children suffered from the burden of overworking with little play (Doc 8). Others may believe that the labor did not affect the children too much, but it clearly shows the pain they felt. On the other hand, the middle class never had to endure the terrible feelings of exhaustion. They tended to feel a sense of disgust towards work. It is as if they were perfect role models who performed with great effort and the working class was just lazy and always getting into trouble (Doc 1). But their attitude towards their work is close to nothing compared to their feelings towards each other.…

    • 793 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Americans are considered one of the hardest working group of people in today’s world. Work is important as we all want to ensure our needs are satisfied. However, society today labors harder than before and would even seek to eliminate relaxation and recreation time. Is our life mainly based around working? Is it possible to even work ourselves to death? In Ellen Goodman’s “The Company Man” and Andrew Curry’s “Why we work” the attitudes Americans have towards work is highlighted.…

    • 653 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Workplace Stress Analysis

    • 1257 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Many ways to define the fundamental word of work exist today. Work carried out by the businesses of America a multitude of workers coordinate to complete a common assignment. In this model workers are treated as resources and not people or even employees. Often leading to high amounts of stress on the employees of that company as well as the employees’ families as it enables companies to view them as numbers and not people making a living. This treatment aids in supporting a long standing tradition of worker exploitation that has existed in the United States originating even before the advent of factories. Though large companies view this treatment of workers as ethical the current treatment of most workers in the United States is unethical…

    • 1257 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Since the establishment of this country, Americans have set their eyes on success. The way we define success has changed along with technology. The American Dream is "that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement.”[1] When repeating this phrase out loud one draws up images of fancy cars, big houses, quality clothes, etc. What Adams fails to mention is that success requires work, furthermore success in terms of fancy cars, big houses and other luxuries require over 40 hours a week of work. The more time one spends at work, the less time one has to spend doing other things. Ellen Goodman’s “The Company Man”, is a prime example of why spending an excessive amount of time working is harmful to a human being. In providing a comfortable life for his family, the main character neglects to have a presence in his home. The pursuit of the American Dream calls for an unbalanced lifestyle, which alienates individuals from their families.…

    • 1492 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    case for analysis

    • 269 Words
    • 1 Page

    The stakeholders involved in this case are: Government, since they have the power of controlling and the upper hand; the Canadian Union, as they are striking and picketing their workplaces; Tax payers, which involves small businesses affected by the situation.…

    • 269 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Beginning with the Lutheran-Calvinist support of work for the glory of God, the book's focus then shifts to the change in work values that occurred from early industrialization in America to the end of the Great Depression. A period that was characterized by both opportunity, and alienation. (American Work Values, Paul Bernstein)…

    • 515 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Work, Business and Society (LV 400591) Prof. Dr. Christina Teipen Summer Semester 2012 Essay: Is Corporate Social Responsibility just ‘market-­‐ ing’ or does it fulfill an important role in improv-­‐ ing the world? Tizian Kronsbein Naumannstraße 68 10829 Berlin tizian.kronsbein@gmail.com Matr.-­‐Nr.: 344504 TABLE OF CONTENT…

    • 3344 Words
    • 14 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    “Human Work” by feminist Charlotte Perkins Gilman is an analysis noting the importance of work in the lives of both men and women. She reflects on how growing social consciousness is aiding in general human unhappiness (p.8) that is linked to economic dependence. This social phenomena is why she urges us to become familiar and have comparative minds (p. 5) in order to better understand new facts that can help shape our perception. In doing so we can insure that society is more profitable and pleasant lives (p.7).…

    • 617 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Best Essays

    Major Paper # 3: A Study in Work and Human Rights: Power To The People…

    • 3571 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Best Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    0619

    • 1372 Words
    • 6 Pages

    1-To do work with one’s own hands is very a useful habit. There is nothing shameful or undignified in it. We find that in this world we can have nothing without work. We have various scientific inventions because of work. If people had not worked, we would never built railways, motors, ships aero planes, radios, televisions, etc. If the farmers do not plough the soil, there will be no crops. If the masons, carpenters and weavers do not labour, there will be no houses or shelter and no clothes to cover our bodies.…

    • 1372 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays