What Work Is

Introduction

Hello poetry lovers! 🌟 Today, we’re diving into the heart of American industrial life and labor with “What Work Is” by Philip Levine. This poem is a profound exploration of work, not just as a physical act but as a core part of identity and emotional life.

Philip Levine, born in 1928 in Detroit, often drew upon his experiences and the lives of the American working class in his poetry, giving voice to the voiceless and often overlooked. “What Work Is” is particularly moving, focusing on the struggles, the waiting, and the deep emotional labor that work entails.

The poem is rooted in the free verse tradition, often associated with the confessional and narrative genres of poetry. Levine’s work is known for its accessibility, emotional depth, and its clear, resonant imagery that speaks on personal and universal levels. So, let’s roll up our sleeves and get into the depths of this poignant piece! 📜

Meaning of What Work Is

What Work Is delves into the emotional and physical landscape of laborers, capturing their struggles and the soul-searching questions about identity and worth. Let’s break down the poem into three key sections to better understand its message and impact.

Opening Section
The poem begins by drawing us into the raw, palpable sense of waiting in a job line, not just for work but for the chance to be deemed worthy of work. Levine writes:

We stand in the rain in a long line
waiting at Ford Highland Park. For work.
You know what work is—if you’re
old enough to read this you know what
work is, although you may not do it.

This stanza sets the stage for a meditation on the value and identity that work brings to one’s life, emphasizing a shared understanding of ‘work’ that resonates deeply with those familiar with labor.

Mid Section
As the poem progresses, it shifts from the physical to the emotional and psychological aspects of work:

You see him maybe for fifteen seconds
as he walks from the office to the crowd,
takes his place in line, four people
ahead of you, head down, praying
the prayer of the unemployed in Detroit.

Here, Levine captures the internal struggle of the workers, the hope, the desperation, and the silent prayers. The focus on a specific person who emerges from the office crowd underscores the personal impact of the economic realities faced by the workers.

Concluding Section
In the final part of the poem, Levine reveals a twist—the line is not just for work but for a deeper, more personal recognition:

You don’t know what work is.
You don’t know what work is because you don’t know
what the love is between brothers, the deep, true love
that is more than mere sentiment or blood.
Your own blood.

The concluding lines shift the definition of ‘work’ from the act of labor to the emotional labor involved in maintaining human connections, like the complex love between brothers. It’s a poignant reminder of the emotional depth and personal connections that underpin the concept of work.

In-depth Analysis

What Work Is by Philip Levine is a masterful examination of not only the physical but also the emotional toil of work. Each stanza and line weaves a complex narrative of life, labor, and love, using a variety of poetic and rhetorical devices. Let’s dissect these elements stanza by stanza.

Stanza 1
— Imagery and Setting: The poem opens in a very visual manner, placing the reader in a vividly depicted line in the rain. This setting is both literal and metaphorical, representing the bleakness and the common plight of the workers. — Tone: The tone is direct and inclusive, speaking to a “you” that both separates and unites the reader and the narrator in shared understanding.

Stanza 2
— Personal Connection and Anecdote: Levine introduces a character, the brother, adding a personal dimension to the narrative. This move shifts the focus from the general to the specific, emphasizing personal stakes. — Repetition and Emphasis: The use of repetition in phrases like “You don’t know” stresses the theme of unrecognized or misunderstood efforts and emotions involved in labor.

Stanza 3
— Symbolism: The line itself becomes a symbol of the endless wait and the cycle of hope and despair experienced by the job seekers. — Contrast: The physical act of standing in line contrasts with the internal emotional states, emphasizing the divide between external perceptions and internal realities.

Stanza 4
— Figurative Language: Levine uses metaphor and simile subtly, likening the prayer of the unemployed to a quiet, almost sacred personal ritual. — Syntax and Pacing: Short, clipped sentences in this stanza convey the abruptness and brevity of the encounters in the job line, as well as the curt dismissals often faced.

Stanza 5
— Climax and Revelation: The poem reaches a climax as the narrator reveals the true reason for standing in line was not just for work, but to recognize his brother in a deeper, more existential way. — Irony: The irony of the situation is poignant—the realization that the work sought was not just about employment but about understanding and valuing human relationships.

This stanza-by-stanza breakdown shows how Levine intricately layers his poem with multiple themes and devices, each enriching the reader’s understanding and emotional engagement with the text.

Poetic Devices used in What Work Is

In “What Work Is” by Philip Levine, a range of poetic devices enriches the text, adding layers of meaning and enhancing its emotional impact. Here’s a table showcasing the top 10 poetic devices used in the poem:

Device	Example from the Poem	Effect
Imagery	“We stand in the rain in a long line”	Creates a vivid picture of the setting, emphasizing the dreariness and persistence required in the situation.
Repetition	“You know what work is”	Emphasizes the shared experience of work and its common, yet profound, impact on individuals.
Simile	“like a rumor of war faintly heard”	Suggests the distant, yet pervasive, impact of the broader economic and social forces at play.
Metaphor	“the prayer of the unemployed”	Elevates the act of waiting for work to a spiritual level, showing the depth of desperation and hope.
Personification	“the office that hired and fired”	Gives human qualities to the office, emphasizing its power over people’s lives.
Alliteration	“deep, true love”	Enhances the musical quality of the lines and draws attention to the emotion described.
Enjambment	Continuation of sentences across stanzas	Creates a flow and urgency, mimicking the endless wait and the stream of thoughts.
Irony	“You don’t know what work is” after describing the line	Highlights the gap between the physical act of work and its deeper, emotional and relational aspects.
Symbolism	The line itself	Represents not only the physical reality of waiting for employment but also the lines we draw in our relationships and self-understanding.
Contrast	Comparison between the physical labor and the emotional realization about brotherly love	Highlights the complexity of ‘work’ as both a physical necessity and a conduit for deeper emotional truths.

These devices are pivotal in crafting a poem that resonates on multiple levels, engaging the reader not just intellectually but also emotionally, provoking a deep reflection on the nature of work and human connections.

What Work Is – FAQs

What is the main theme of ‘What Work Is’ by Philip Levine?
A: The main theme revolves around the nature of work and its impact on personal identity and human relationships, emphasizing both the physical and emotional aspects of labor.

How does Philip Levine use setting to enhance the poem’s message?
A: Levine sets the poem in a line for jobs, using the dreary, oppressive atmosphere to underscore the desperation and hope inherent in the search for work, thereby amplifying the emotional weight of the narrative.

What does the line represent in ‘What Work Is’?
A: The line symbolizes both the literal reality of waiting for employment and the metaphorical ‘lines’ people experience in life, including social divisions and personal boundaries.

How does the poem’s structure affect its overall impact?
A: The poem’s free verse structure allows for a fluid, conversational tone that mirrors the stream of consciousness and the natural flow of thoughts and emotions, making the poem more relatable and impactful.

Why is the relationship between the brothers significant in the poem?
A: The relationship illuminates the poem’s deeper exploration of work as an emotional and relational concept, not just an economic one, highlighting how work shapes and is shaped by personal relationships.

What Work Is Study Guide

For educators and students looking to deepen their understanding of poetic techniques within “What Work Is,” here’s a practical exercise. This exercise will help in identifying the various poetic devices used by Philip Levine in a specific verse of the poem.

Exercise:
Read the following verse from “What Work Is” and list all the poetic devices you can identify. Use the table format provided below for your answers.

Verse Provided:

You don’t know what work is.
You don’t know what work is because you don’t know
what the love is between brothers, the deep, true love
that is more than mere sentiment or blood.
Your own blood.

Answers:

Device	Example from the Verse	Explanation
Repetition	“You don’t know what work is.”	The repeated phrase emphasizes the narrator’s challenge to the reader’s understanding of ‘work’ as it relates to personal and emotional engagement.
Contrast	“more than mere sentiment or blood”	Highlights the depth of the relationship between brothers, contrasting superficial emotions with deeper, intrinsic bonds.
Alliteration	“deep, true love”	The use of ‘d’ and ‘t’ sounds enhances the musical quality of the line and emphasizes the sincerity and depth of the emotion being discussed.
Metaphor	“Your own blood”	Metaphorically relates blood to family bonds, implying that these relationships are as vital as one’s own life force.

This exercise encourages students to delve into the text, enhancing their ability to analyze literary elements and understand their effects within the poem. By identifying these devices, students can gain deeper insights into Levine’s craft and the poem’s themes.