The Good Work by Theodore L. Thomas
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"The Good Work" by Theodore L. Thomas is a science fiction short story written during the late 1950s. Set in a dystopian future where the world is overcrowded and resources are scarce, the narrative explores the life of Jeremiah Winthrop, a man struggling to provide for his family in a society characterized by monotonous living and dependency on standardized provisions. The story examines themes of dignity, work, and the spirit of striving
for a better life in an oppressive environment. In the story, Jeremiah Winthrop lives with his wife, Ann, and their son, Davy, in a world where they primarily subsist on synthetic food dubbed "Standard Fare." As societal pressures mount, Winthrop realizes the profound impact of his dire situation on his family, particularly on Davy's future. Desperate for meaningful work and a way to escape the cycle of deprivation, he applies for a government job and eventually becomes part of a maintenance crew tasked with tightening nuts on the building's framework. As he resumes working, the family's dynamic shifts positively, fostering hope and a sense of pride. Interpersonal connections deepen, leading to a moment where Winthrop rejoices in the simple pleasures of family life and fulfills a crucial role in society, contrasting sharply with the despair he once faced. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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About this eBook
| Author | Thomas, Theodore L., 1920-2005 |
|---|---|
| Title | The Good Work |
| Series Title | Produced from Worlds of If Science Fiction, February 1959 |
| Credits |
Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at www.pgdp.net |
| Reading Level | Reading ease score: 93.5 (5th grade). Very easy to read. |
| Language | English |
| LoC Class | PS: Language and Literatures: American and Canadian literature |
| Subject | Science fiction |
| Subject | Short stories |
| Subject | Satire |
| Subject | Overpopulation -- Fiction |
| Subject | United States -- Economic conditions -- Fiction |
| Subject | Work -- Fiction |
| Category | Text |
| eBook-No. | 60682 |
| Release Date | Nov 13, 2019 |
| Last Update | Oct 17, 2024 |
| Copyright | Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads | 332 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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