Less Talk, More Work
Jasmine Diaz
ENG 120D
4-12-12
Prof. Boylan
Final Draft
Less Talk, More Work Have you ever thought that there is a greater need to work constantly on a daily basis than to catch up on your social life with family and friends? Work addiction is a growing problem today. Most workaholics seem to put work, a main priority, before anything else such as time spent with others. The obsession with work is due to many reasons. For some people, work is needed to earn money to pay for necessary expenses such as food and bills. However, too much of a workload affects a person mentally, physically, or even both. Stress is one of the many reactions when it comes to constant hours or days spent at work. In “The Company Man,” written by Ellen Goodman, the main character Phil shows how chaotic he is with himself and with his work that eventually leads to his tragic farewell. The lifestyle of working excessively is common. The idea of becoming a workaholic is to strive for a certain value or feeling for oneself. Goodman’s story of The Company Man illustrates a vivid example of a common workaholic. If a workaholic is spotted, the image is depicted as “anxious, guilt-ridden, insecure, or self-righteous about …work… a slave to a set schedule, merciless in his demands upon himself for peak performance …compulsively overcommitted” (Marlowitz 7). This workaholic image illustrates Phil. In Phil’s world, everything he does is directed towards work. As an addict living with a wife and three children, he works nearly every day as well as many nights (Goodman 61). He works for an important company, serving as a vice president (Goodman 60-61). Having a high-level position makes him feel important because he “worked like the Important People” (Goodman 61). Based on his high position, Goodman hints at Phil’s pride, a powerful factor influencing his motivation and duty to work.
While Phil is driven mainly by pride there are many other reasons why he works too hard. These reasons include
ENG 120D
4-12-12
Prof. Boylan
Final Draft
Less Talk, More Work Have you ever thought that there is a greater need to work constantly on a daily basis than to catch up on your social life with family and friends? Work addiction is a growing problem today. Most workaholics seem to put work, a main priority, before anything else such as time spent with others. The obsession with work is due to many reasons. For some people, work is needed to earn money to pay for necessary expenses such as food and bills. However, too much of a workload affects a person mentally, physically, or even both. Stress is one of the many reactions when it comes to constant hours or days spent at work. In “The Company Man,” written by Ellen Goodman, the main character Phil shows how chaotic he is with himself and with his work that eventually leads to his tragic farewell. The lifestyle of working excessively is common. The idea of becoming a workaholic is to strive for a certain value or feeling for oneself. Goodman’s story of The Company Man illustrates a vivid example of a common workaholic. If a workaholic is spotted, the image is depicted as “anxious, guilt-ridden, insecure, or self-righteous about …work… a slave to a set schedule, merciless in his demands upon himself for peak performance …compulsively overcommitted” (Marlowitz 7). This workaholic image illustrates Phil. In Phil’s world, everything he does is directed towards work. As an addict living with a wife and three children, he works nearly every day as well as many nights (Goodman 61). He works for an important company, serving as a vice president (Goodman 60-61). Having a high-level position makes him feel important because he “worked like the Important People” (Goodman 61). Based on his high position, Goodman hints at Phil’s pride, a powerful factor influencing his motivation and duty to work.
While Phil is driven mainly by pride there are many other reasons why he works too hard. These reasons include