The events that shape one's heritage extend far into the past, as do the evolving values of one's forebears. For Colm, the laborer of the title work, awareness of his people's history is especially vivid. Their struggles form a pattern for his own, with inherent strengths to be drawn on and old vexations to be dealt with. He rises above his station with help from Tara, his main love, but then must face unfamiliar threats in his new milieu.

Also included here is "The Lightweight," a saga concerning the accident of birth and one's resulting abilities and proclivities. The title character works within his limitations to manage, if not to overcome, the vagaries of life. His employment experience is an odyssey, with survival emerging as his greatest skill.

In "Twilight Gallery," a selection of shorter works, subjects are portrayed mostly with reference to their occupations. As with the two longer works, transcendence can be achieved through acceptance and struggle, but with judgment and chance key factors as well. There is thus commonality with the aspirations and weaknesses of many other people.