The ragged trousered philanthropist

BevSec

Indigo8

I would recommend reading the play "An Inspector Calls"
by JB Priestly. It was written in the 1940s but set in the 1900s.
There are also excellent screen adaptations available.

I believe it is a set text for GCSE.

I have seen this play, it is very insightful and worth a viewing.

Yes, my DD read this at school for GCSE, it is very good.

HousePlantQueen

I read The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists many years ago, and it stuck with me. I was reminded of it when I saw voters at a Food bank telling the interviewer they would be voting Tory.

It definitely is a book that stays with you after reading it. It would be a good choice for a book group as there is much to discuss.

Thanks for the original post BevSec!

I read the book years ago.

It's a book written very much in the context of its era I think, but the mentality of those ragged-trousered philanthropists who acquiesce in their own exploitation, is still relevant.

But what's apparent to me is that often, workers have very little, if any, choice in the matter. There's very little time for leisurely debate if you've got a family to feed and a job to get to, however poorly paid. You have to get on the treadmill and get on with it.

It's only later, when you look back - maybe in retirement - that you realise how those that own the means of production, or the raw materials / property / equipment / whatever - need you as much as, you are constantly told, you need them. Neither could function without the other.

Very interesting to read other's comments, also their recommendations on other novels of the time.

Good on you for making a post on this topic!

Dickens

Thanks for the original post BevSec!

I read the book years ago.

It's a book written very much in the context of its era I think, but the mentality of those ragged-trousered philanthropists who acquiesce in their own exploitation, is still relevant.

But what's apparent to me is that often, workers have very little, if any, choice in the matter. There's very little time for leisurely debate if you've got a family to feed and a job to get to, however poorly paid. You have to get on the treadmill and get on with it.

It's only later, when you look back - maybe in retirement - that you realise how those that own the means of production, or the raw materials / property / equipment / whatever - need you as much as, you are constantly told, you need them. Neither could function without the other.

Very interesting to read other's comments, also their recommendations on other novels of the time.

Good on you for making a post on this topic!

Thank you for your post Dickens, you have made some good points, especially about exploitation. Has much really changed do you think? Would make an interesting point for discussion.

read Tressels wonderful book over sixty years ago, when I first started to take an active part in politics. It is true today as it was then as it was when first written.

One of the finest descriptions of capitalism I know is in that book, when the decorators at the house use a couple of slices of bread during the short lunch break.

Sadly Tressel himself died before the book was published, from TB like the main character in the book.

It is and will always be a Socialist Bible. Cannot see how it is hard to read, just the description of the lives of people employed as house builders/decorators in Hastings in the first decade of the 20th century

When I first joined the Labour Party back in the 1970's, a rag eared copy of this book was passed over to every new member to read, digest and return. I eventually bought my own copy and every now and again, when I feel sorry for myself, I'll read it again and know I really have a good life compared to the Hastings house workers back then.

Franbern

read Tressels wonderful book over sixty years ago, when I first started to take an active part in politics. It is true today as it was then as it was when first written.

One of the finest descriptions of capitalism I know is in that book, when the decorators at the house use a couple of slices of bread during the short lunch break.

Sadly Tressel himself died before the book was published, from TB like the main character in the book.

It is and will always be a Socialist Bible. Cannot see how it is hard to read, just the description of the lives of people employed as house builders/decorators in Hastings in the first decade of the 20th century

It is a wonderful book.

boheminan

When I first joined the Labour Party back in the 1970's, a rag eared copy of this book was passed over to every new member to read, digest and return. I eventually bought my own copy and every now and again, when I feel sorry for myself, I'll read it again and know I really have a good life compared to the Hastings house workers back then.

Yes, it really does make us today count our blessings! I felt the same when I read a book about maternity, taken from women’s memories of the poor care a lot of them received back in Edwardian times.

I read this when I was about 15 and loved it. After a 50 year gap I should read it again.

A must read for everybody as little has changed if you really think about it
It will stay on my book shelf for ever!

HousePlantQueen

I read The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists many years ago, and it stuck with me. I was reminded of it when I saw voters at a Food bank telling the interviewer they would be voting Tory.

Participating in their own exploitation by the Tory class rather like the painters in Tressell's novel.

Susieq62

A must read for everybody as little has changed if you really think about it
It will stay on my book shelf for ever!

Yes, it will stay on mine too.

My go-to quote from George Orwell, is that it's no use telling the working poor to eat brown bread and oranges. What you want when life is against you is a packet of chips, a cigarette and a strong cup of tea.

Yes benefits should be a safety net for short term unless people have long term illness or disability. It should not be a lifestyle choice.

Grantanow

HousePlantQueen

I read The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists many years ago, and it stuck with me. I was reminded of it when I saw voters at a Food bank telling the interviewer they would be voting Tory.

Participating in their own exploitation by the Tory class rather like the painters in Tressell's novel.

Congratulations to anyone able to complete Tressel's novel, even as an eager and enthusiastic socialist, as I was when I read it, I found it turgid and 'worthy'. Thank goodnes we now have a Labour government that will eradicate the need for foodbanks, so we lowclassers will no longer be forced to participate in our own exploitation!

I see no evidence so far that food banks will be eliminated given the Chancellor's policies.

When I worked in a works canteen in my youth we had a new girl start working with us. She recommended this book and started telling us how we were all exploited by our wicked capitalist society and how communism was much more equal for everyone! Then she started saying things like how she'd like to blow up the factory. She only lasted 1 week and I think management sacked her. I bought the book but at 19 yrs old I didn't understand it tbh.

Wasn’t Trussell the main character in the book ?? Did he write about his own experiences ?

winterwhite

My go-to quote from George Orwell, is that it's no use telling the working poor to eat brown bread and oranges. What you want when life is against you is a packet of chips, a cigarette and a strong cup of tea.

Love it, and how true!

It is one of the most important books you can read.
There are such parallels with how the world is going now, how there is just as big a divide between the haves and have nots. It should be required reading in high schools and universities in my opinion.Maybe that's because I'm Northern where tales of struggles against an Industrial backdrop are part of my psyche !!

Susieq62

Wasn’t Trussell the main character in the book ?? Did he write about his own experiences ?

I would not have understood the book at that age either. I think the author was writing from his own experiences, that is my understanding of it.

rocketstop

It is one of the most important books you can read.
There are such parallels with how the world is going now, how there is just as big a divide between the haves and have nots. It should be required reading in high schools and universities in my opinion.Maybe that's because I'm Northern where tales of struggles against an Industrial backdrop are part of my psyche !!

I quite agree, somehow the exploitation stays with you. I think the workers participated in their own exploitation due to fear of the alternatives. The workhouse was truly dreaded.

Alas, Grantanow, I fear you are right: so far the bungling Chancellor's measures augur hardship for many of us, even if Labour didn't have it in for the pensioners, the WASPIs, the farmers, those on benefits (me!), Muslims, and Christians, &c. Indeed, many of their own MPs and party members are beginning to feel uncomfortable about what their own administration is up to.

Think you are massively missing the point of the book!

I’m from Liverpool and couldn’t relate to the Lord Street comment . I went to where Orwell lived in the far east ,and in his house there were a number of families in separate areas with fires built on the tiled floors. The Clergyman’s Daughter and the Road to Wigan Pier were very enlightening especially the coal fingerprints on the bread and butter. Down and out in London and Paris is my favourite if that’s the right choice Of words