Carl Bates continues hard labor as a stone mason for the love of the job. He takes pride in his work and remembers his successes as well as the errors he made on his job. His labor is one of love and pride. He sees his work as redemption and an important part of society. The Mason discreetly refers to the Bible throughout the interview.
Work is redemption, it is a way of finding oneself through a religious sense.
The Mason sees fulfillment in his work and does not perform for the money he earns. For the Mason, the things one has are not important to him. He finds self- gratification through his work and takes genuine pride in it.