In “The Company Man,” the main character, Phil, an extremely hard-working middle class man forgets what truly matters in life and literally exhausts himself to death. Ellen Goodman, a columnist, wrote the passage for a newspaper article to demonstrate that hard work doesn’t always lead to happiness and success. Through Goodman’s use of word choice and repetition, imagery, and sarcasm Goodman describes Phil’s life story and discreetly attacks his workaholic ethics and loss of his own values.
First of all, the detailed word choice and vivid imagery that Goodman utilizes depicts the lack of empathy that Goodman feels about Phil. Goodman begins the passage by bluntly describing Phil’s death, “He worked himself to death, finally and precisely at 3:00 a.m.” Goodman uses the word “finally” in an unemotional way to describe his death almost as expected. Then the reader can vividly imagine Phil by her description of his physical appearance and lifestyle utilizing words such as “overweight,” “nervous,” “ perfect Type A,” and “workaholic.” These descriptive words …show more content…
Throughout the passage, Goodman describes Phil as a “type A,” and ties that phrase to “a heart attack natural,” indicating that he purposely drove himself to his condition and leading to his death. Then she reminds the reader that even though Phil spent his whole life working non-stop that his work never really accomplished anything worthwhile. Goodman provides evidence of that in the repeated clause, “The obituary didn’t say that, of course,” that referring to the sacrifices and work that he had done in his life. Phil’s lack of time with his family caused awkward relationships and loneliness. Goodman’s tone indicates she lacks any sympathy for Phil and she feels he deserved his destiny. Hence, Goodman utilizes repetition to enhance her harsh feelings toward Phil’s unfulfilling