Literature and the workplace The relationship between literature and the workplace is mainly that of emotions and human interaction. How a person feels about their job or the issues faced in the workplace are fodder for fiction, nonfiction, and poetry alike. Most of the working masses actually have a relatively small number of experiences. While the job itself may be different and the specific situations unique, the general anxiety, fears and concerns are generally the same. This means that the audience for this type of literature is broad. Some of the common themes found in career literature might include finding one's calling and taking pride in one's work. These are two of the most positive experiences and are the focus of this article. The works we will discuss are the short story “My Lack of Wit,” the essay “Pablo Picasso: Living in His Own Shadow,” and the poem “Old Men Working Concrete.” Each of these works speaks to the pride and passion of the characters who interpret it. Literature is a form of expression that allows you to experience a wider range of feelings and emotions than any other form. Theater must rely on body language and spoken dialect to form an image and convey feelings. The written word allows you to penetrate the mind, to see and hear what the individual is thinking at that moment. Through this work, each person can relate the work to their own situation. In this way, literature is interpreted in many different ways depending on the reader's experience and background. Workplace literature today...... middle of paper ......les; “Mary Poppins” can provide inspiration for working with children, bringing joy into their lives. Young teens may feel drawn to detective stories and pursue a career in law enforcement. Most literature contains some aspect of human psychology. If these humans have jobs, there will be an element of work that the reader can identify with and perhaps apply to their own experiences. From technical guides to the literary splendor of “Moby Dick,” literature shapes every reader's life. It has a place in every environment, be it the workplace or the home. Grab a book, settle under the blanket and curl up with the writer's mind: you will surely find a piece of yourself there. Reference LaRocco, C., & Coughlin, J. (1995). The art of work: an anthology of workplace literature (one ed.). Columbus, Ohio: Glencoe/McGraw-Hill.