Charles Bukowski: The Slavery of the 9 to 5

Summary

In 1969, Charles Bukowski, an obscure writer, received a life-changing offer from John Martin of Black Sparrow Press to quit his post office job and write for $100 a month. Bukowski chose to 'starve' as a writer rather than go mad at the post office. 15 years on, he expressed gratitude for the opportunity to escape the dehumanizing daily grind, reflecting on the trapped lives of workers and the joy of writing beyond societal constraints, despite the challenges and disgusts of the system.

Takeaways

• 📬 Charles Bukowski received a life-changing offer from John Martin of Black Sparrow Press in 1969, which allowed him to quit his job at the post office and pursue writing.
• 📚 Bukowski felt trapped in his post office job and saw writing as a way to escape, even if it meant facing poverty.
• 💌 In a letter to Martin, Bukowski expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to escape the monotony and inhumanity of his previous work.
• 🕒 Bukowski describes the grueling nature of his job, emphasizing that it was far from a typical 9-to-5 schedule and often involved skipping meals and working overtime without proper compensation.
• 🤬 He criticizes the system for exploiting workers, suggesting that modern slavery has not been abolished but has been extended to all races.
• 😔 Bukowski laments the loss of humanity in those who endure jobs they dislike out of fear of the unknown, leading to a life devoid of passion and color.
• 👴 As he aged, Bukowski's disbelief in people's willingness to sacrifice their lives to such conditions remained unchanged.
• 💰 He questions the motivations behind such sacrifices, such as sex, television, material possessions, and the pressure to provide for children who may end up repeating the cycle.
• 🗣️ Bukowski recalls his youthful naivety in discussing job insecurity with his peers, which they were unwilling to confront.
• 🏭 The script touches on the reality of mass layoffs in the industry, leaving workers who dedicated their lives to their jobs feeling betrayed and lost.
• 📝 Bukowski found relief in writing as a way to express his disgust with the system and to cleanse himself of the negative emotions it evoked.
• 🖋️ Despite the challenges and the disgusts he faced even as a professional writer, Bukowski felt a sense of joy and accomplishment in having escaped the confines of his previous life.
• 🌟 He emphasizes the importance of continuing to write, even in old age, as a way to honor the struggle and to not have entirely wasted one's life.

Q & A

What offer did John Martin make to Charles Bukowski in 1969?

John Martin offered Charles Bukowski $100 a month for the rest of his life if he quit his job.

What job was Charles Bukowski working at the time of the offer?

Charles Bukowski was working at a post office job, which he described as soul wrenching.

What were the two choices Bukowski felt he had in his letter?

Bukowski felt he had to choose between staying at the post office and going crazy, or quitting to be a writer and potentially starving.

What sentiment did Bukowski express about his decision to become a writer in his letter?

Bukowski expressed gratitude for the opportunity to escape the post office job and chose to 'starve' as a writer rather than stay in a job that made him miserable.

How did Bukowski describe the working conditions in his previous jobs?

Bukowski described the working conditions as harsh, with no free lunch breaks, overtime that was never accurately represented in books, and a constant fear of being replaced.

What is Bukowski's view on the concept of slavery in the context of his experiences?

Bukowski believed that slavery was never abolished but was extended to include all races, implying that the working conditions were akin to a form of modern-day slavery.

How did Bukowski perceive the impact of such jobs on the workers?

Bukowski felt that the jobs led to a steady diminishing of humanity, with people becoming fearful, obedient, and empty, their physical and mental health deteriorating.

What did Bukowski question about people's motivations for enduring such working conditions?

Bukowski questioned whether people endured such conditions for sex, TV, an automobile on monthly payments, or children who would likely repeat the same cycle.

How did Bukowski feel about the layoffs in the industry?

Bukowski observed that workers were laid off in vast numbers, leaving them stunned and without a clear plan for the future, despite their years of service.

What did Bukowski decide to do in response to the working conditions and the system?

Bukowski decided to quit his job and write in disgust against the system, choosing to live as a 'barfly' or on a park bench rather than be trapped in a job he despised.

How does Bukowski reflect on his life and work as a writer in the script?

Bukowski reflects on his life with a sense of joy for having escaped the system and a determination to continue writing, despite the challenges and disgusts he faced beyond the system.

Outlines

00:00

📬 The Choice Between Sanity and Starvation

In 1969, Charles Bukowski received a life-changing offer from John Martin of Black Sparrow Press to quit his job and receive a monthly stipend of $100. This offer was a turning point for Bukowski, who had been struggling with the soul-crushing reality of his post office job. He faced a difficult decision: remain in a job that was driving him to madness or risk becoming a writer and potentially facing starvation. In a reflective letter, Bukowski expressed his gratitude to Martin for enabling his escape from the drudgery of the post office. He poignantly described the harsh realities of the workplace, where the relentless demands of the job left no room for humanity, and the fear of unemployment kept people trapped in jobs they despised. Bukowski's decision to 'starve' for his art was a testament to his dedication to writing and his rejection of a life devoid of creative fulfillment.

Keywords

💡Black Sparrow Press

Black Sparrow Press is the publishing house that offered Charles Bukowski a life-changing deal in 1969. It was founded by John Martin, who is mentioned in the script as the person who provided Bukowski with financial support to quit his job and focus on writing. This keyword is crucial as it represents the turning point in Bukowski's life and career, allowing him to pursue his passion for writing.

💡Post Office Job

The term 'Post Office Job' refers to Bukowski's previous employment, which he describes as soul-wrenching and a potential path to madness. It symbolizes the mundane and oppressive nature of work that many individuals endure, often at the expense of their dreams and mental health. In the script, Bukowski contrasts this job with the freedom of writing, highlighting the struggle between the need for financial stability and the desire for creative fulfillment.

💡Starve

In the context of the script, 'starve' is used metaphorically to represent the choice Bukowski made to potentially face financial hardship in exchange for the freedom to write. It emphasizes the sacrifices one might have to make to pursue their passion and the risks involved in leaving a stable job for an uncertain career in the arts.

💡Gratitude

Gratitude is a central theme in the script, as Bukowski expresses his thanks to John Martin for enabling his transition from a post office worker to a writer. This keyword reflects the appreciation for the opportunity given and the recognition of its impact on his life, illustrating the profound effect that support can have on an individual's path.

💡Humanity

Humanity, in this script, refers to the inherent qualities of compassion, empathy, and individuality that people possess. Bukowski laments the loss of humanity in those who are trapped in jobs they despise, suggesting that the struggle to maintain such employment dehumanizes them. This keyword is integral to understanding the script's critique of the dehumanizing effects of certain work environments.

💡Slavery

Bukowski uses the term 'slavery' to draw a parallel between the historical institution of slavery and the modern working conditions that he views as oppressive. He argues that while slavery may have been legally abolished, the concept of being trapped in a system that exploits one's labor for minimal compensation persists. This keyword is key to understanding his broader critique of societal and economic structures.

💡Layoffs

Layoffs are mentioned in the script to illustrate the instability and unpredictability of employment in certain industries. Bukowski uses this term to highlight the vulnerability of workers who dedicate their lives to jobs that can end abruptly, leaving them in a state of shock and uncertainty. It underscores the precarious nature of work and the emotional toll it can take.

💡Disgust

Disgust is a recurring emotion in the script, reflecting Bukowski's deep dissatisfaction with the working conditions and societal expectations he faced. It is a driving force behind his decision to quit his job and write, representing a rejection of the status quo and a desire for a more authentic and fulfilling life.

💡Freedom

Freedom is a central concept in the script, representing the liberation from the constraints of a job that Bukowski found stifling. It is the state he sought through writing, as opposed to the limitations imposed by his post office job. The keyword 'freedom' encapsulates the script's exploration of the individual's quest for autonomy and self-expression.

💡Professional Writer

The term 'professional writer' signifies Bukowski's transformation from an unknown writer to one who is recognized and supported in his craft. It is a milestone in his journey, representing the achievement of his goal to write full-time and the validation of his decision to pursue writing over a traditional job.

💡Joy

Joy is expressed as a result of Bukowski's escape from the oppressive work environment and his transition to a life of writing. It is described as a 'jolly joy of the miracle,' indicating the profound happiness and sense of accomplishment he feels in being able to write and live according to his own terms.

💡Not Wasted

The phrase 'not wasted' refers to Bukowski's belief that living a life true to oneself, even if it means facing hardships, is a worthy accomplishment. It is a reflection on the value of personal fulfillment and the importance of pursuing one's passions, rather than merely existing within societal expectations.

Highlights

In 1969, Charles Bukowski received a life-changing offer from John Martin to quit his job and write for $100 a month.

Bukowski had spent a decade in a soul-crushing post office job and was desperate to escape.

He faced a choice between sanity and financial stability, opting to 'starve' for the sake of his writing.

15 years later, Bukowski expressed gratitude to Martin for enabling his transition from a post office job to a life of writing.

Bukowski reflects on the harsh reality of the 9-to-5 job, emphasizing that it's never truly just 9 to 5.

He criticizes the lack of humanity in workplaces where employees are overworked and underappreciated.

Bukowski's old saying that 'Slavery was never abolished, it was only extended to include all the colors' reflects his views on labor.

The transcript describes the dehumanizing effects of jobs that people endure out of fear of the unknown.

Bukowski questions why people sacrifice their lives for superficial gains like sex, TV, and material possessions.

He recounts his youthful disbelief in people's willingness to endure poor working conditions for their entire lives.

Bukowski's observation of workers' stunned reactions to mass layoffs reveals the harsh reality of job insecurity.

He discusses the minimal wages that keep workers trapped in a cycle of poverty and dependence.

Bukowski's decision to write in 'disgust against it all' was a form of catharsis and self-expression.

Despite becoming a professional writer late in life, Bukowski found new sources of disgust beyond the system.

A poignant memory of a worker admitting he'll 'never be free' and a boss's cruel laughter highlight the trapped nature of many jobs.

Bukowski's joy in escaping the workforce and becoming a writer is described as a 'jolly joy of the miracle'.

He commits to continuing to write, despite the physical and mental toll it takes, as a way to honor his late start.

Bukowski reflects on the importance of not having entirely wasted one's life as a personal accomplishment.

Transcripts

In 1969, an offer came to hell

Quit your job, and I'll give you $100 a month for the rest of your life

The offer came from John Martin, publisher and founder of Black Sparrow Press

Charles Bukowski, still an unknown writer, had spent his last decade at a soul wrenching post office job

He wanted out. In a letter at the time Bukowski wrote, "I have one of two choices

Stay in the post office and go crazy. Or stay out here and play at writer and starve. I've decided to starve."

15 years later, Bukowski wrote a letter of gratitude to John Martin thanking him for funding his escape

Hello John, Thanks for the good letter. I don't think it hurts, sometimes, to remember where you came from

You know the places where I came from

Even the people who tried to write about that or make films about it. They don't get it, right

They call it 9:00 to 5:00. It's never 9:00 to 5:00

There's no free lunch break at those places. In fact, at many of them, in order to keep your job you don't take lunch

Then there's overtime, and the books never seem to get the overtime right, and if you complain about that

there's another sucker to take your place. You know my old saying.

"Slavery was never abolished. It was only extended to include all the colors."

And what hurts is the steadily diminishing Humanity of those fighting to hold jobs they don't want, but fear the alternative worse

People simply empty out, their bodies were fearful and obedient minds. The color leaves the eye

The voice becomes ugly and the body, the hair, the fingernail, the shoes,

everything does

As a young man, I could not believe that people could give their lives over to those conditions

As an old man, I still can't believe it

What do they do it for? Sex, TV,

An automobile on monthly payments, or children? Children who are just going to do the same things that they did.

Early on, when I was quite young and going from job to job. I was foolish enough to sometimes speak to my fellow workers

"Hey, the boss can come in here at any moment and lay all of us off

Just like that, don't you realize that." They would just look at me. I was posing something that they didn't want to enter their minds

Now in industry there are vast layoffs, steel mills dead, technical changes, and other factors of the workplace

They are laid off by the hundreds of thousands and their faces are stunned

"I put in 35 years."

"It ain't right."

"I don't know what to do."

They never pay the slaves enough so they can get free, just enough so they can stay alive and come back to work

I could see all this, why couldn't they? I figured the park bench was just as good or being a barfly was just as good

Why not get there first before they put me there. Why wait?

I just wrote in disgust against it all. It was a relief to get the sh*t out of my system and now that I'm here, a so-called

professional writer after giving the first 50 years away. I found out that there are other disgusts beyond the system

I remember once working as a packer in this lighting fixture company one of the packers suddenly said, "I'll never be free."

One of the bosses was walking by, his name was Morrie

And he let out this delicious cackle of a laugh, enjoying the fact that this fellow was trapped for life

So, the luck I finally had in getting out of those places, no matter how long it took has given me a kind of joy

The jolly joy of the miracle. I now write from an old mind and an old body

Long beyond the time when most men would ever think of continuing such a thing

But since I started so late I owe it to myself to continue. And when the words begin to falter, and I must be helped up stairways,

and I can no longer tell a bluebird from a paper clip

I still feel that something in me is going to remember, no matter how far I'm gone

How I've come through the murder, and the mess, and the moil to at least a generous way to die

To not to have entirely wasted one's life seems to be a worthy accomplishment, if only for myself

yr boy,

Hank.