Melancholy has ceased to be an individual phenomenon, an exception. It has become the class privilege of the wage earner, a mass state of mind that finds its cause wherever life is governed by production quotas.

Summary

This quote suggests that melancholy, once seen as a personal experience or isolated occurrence, has now become a shared condition among wage earners. It indicates that melancholy has transformed into a prevalent state of mind that afflicts the working class, as it finds its roots in societies governed by strict production targets and demands. This implies that the pressures and requirements of the modern work environment contribute to fostering a collective sense of sadness and introspection among those who rely on their wages for livelihood.

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