Summary

Daniela Aguilera

Mr. Simpson

Eng106

 In the Critique of Everyday Life Lefebvre studies how leisure functions as a critique of everyday life and what is missing from our work life. Work used to be done from home and wasn't viewed as something separate from family or social life. As time as passed, work has turned into somewhat of a chore that is completely isolated from home and family. As a result, leisure was created as a way to escape from their mundane everyday lives.

            Throughout this paper, the author refers to work as a necessity and leisure as a need. This seems to sum up peoples mentality on work. We go to work not because we want to, but its necessary in order to fulfill our leisurely needs and this creates a vicious cycle that we can not seem to escape. Because of this vicious cycle that everyone seems to be warped into, society has created this idea of individuality. This concept, like leisure, is contradictory. The things that we claim make us individuals are not ours. For example, someone who is into fashion. This may become their identity, but they are not the ones making the clothes or fabric. Its a strange concept that is brought to light in this paper.

            As a reader I tried to come up with what my work and leisure is in my own life. Lefebvre mentions how there is a general need for leisure and a concrete need within that. My work consists of going to class and doing everything that comes along with it; homework, papers, and exams. My leisure activity would have to be watching movies and television or going to the gym. The concrete need behind my leisure activity it makes complete sense according to this paper. I am at school for hours on end, critically thinking and reading and engaging in conversation. So when it comes time to pick my own activities, its natural for me to want to rest my mind. My general need may be wanting to watch tv or go the gym, but the real need is resting my mind and not having to think. Watching a movie for example, as stated in the paper, is a way to not think and alienate yourself. Going to the gym on a regular basis is also a form of alienation and a way to rest my mind. I grew up seeing my parents exercise and watch television as a way to clear their minds and relax. It is something that has always worked for me when I am stressed or overwhelmed.

            Leisure defines you. As the vicious cycle claims, work is a necessity. Sadly, many people do not genuinely enjoy their job. Therefore, your job does not define who you are. What defines who you are is what you choose to do with your free time. However, leisure has become an issue of class and gender. I am lucky enough to be able to pay for my gym membership, but not everyone is. So that is a leisure not available to them. Not everyone can spend money on movies or a television.  Also, if you're working a manual labor job, the last thing you feel like doing at the end of a hard work day is going to the gym. So, individuals working in labor may spend their free time at home relaxing instead. Therefore, your leisure is based on your class. Gender can also define your identity. Here in Miami image is of the utmost importance. Whether you're a man or a woman, you're pressured to try and look your best at all times. As a result, this defines many peoples leisurely activities.

            In an ideal world everyone would choose a career or job that they love, but unfortunately it is not an ideal world. For the lucky few who this does apply to, their work has become their leisure and visa-versa. This is the ideal that my parents have always instilled in me since i was young, "do what you love and you'll never have to work a day in your life." However, the rest of the world seems to be stuck in the vicious cycle that Lefebvre has made clear.