The Psychology of Labor

by Karyn Eisler

The weight of depression descends on his head. It happens on Mondays. Predictably, he asks himself, Is this my life from now 'til the end? It's his work - not the job itself, but the need to earn a check. It's something he resents. The cast iron burden lifts on the weekends, when he empties trash, scrubs floors, and cleans a week's worth of dishes at home, without getting paid a cent.

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Karyn Eisler holds a PhD in sociology, teaches at Langara College, and lives in Vancouver, B.C.