Summary

In Chapter 19, “Pokémon,” Biss writes about her young son—Josh—and his friends. They collect and trade Pokémon cards, assigning different cards value based on arbitrary factors. None of the kids know how to play the actual game meant to be played with the cards. In Chapter 20, “The Piano,” Biss writes about practicing the piano. Historically, many wealthy women practiced piano because musical skill reflected leisure time and was also seen as ‘useless.’ In Chapter 21, “Art” (I), Biss reflects on the different meanings of ‘hustle,’ which can mean either ‘deceive’ or ‘work hard.’ Biss implies that both are often necessary in order to succeed in a capitalist system. In Chapter 22, “Work” (I), Biss reflects on the fact that art is often not seen as being work. As a writer, Biss takes issue with that assumption, but she...