The ragged trousered philanthropist

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Taking a Sociology course years ago, 'The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists' was one of the set books. I began reading it, and found I could cope with just one or two chapters at a time, so heartwrenching was the narrative. The gentle, talented artistic decorator, who had a sick son, stayed in my mind for a long time, as did the exploitation of his skills and the efforts of the others. My Father often spoke of the harshness of working life for his early years, and for the whole working life of his father. My parents worked hard their whole lives in order to be poor when they became old - so this book resonated with me.

LovesBach

Taking a Sociology course years ago, 'The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists' was one of the set books. I began reading it, and found I could cope with just one or two chapters at a time, so heartwrenching was the narrative. The gentle, talented artistic decorator, who had a sick son, stayed in my mind for a long time, as did the exploitation of his skills and the efforts of the others. My Father often spoke of the harshness of working life for his early years, and for the whole working life of his father. My parents worked hard their whole lives in order to be poor when they became old - so this book resonated with me.

It really does have that impact, I have found the same, .i can only cope with reading a certain amount in one go as it is so heartwrenching. Life really was harsh for those without, I have heard the workhouse was so dreaded you had to be desperate but to me the workers in the book were literally one step away from destitution and dependent on the whims of the foreman.

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 completely agree, it is as relevant today as when it was written, should be on the curriculum in every school.

I don't want to spoil anything for future readers, so I'll just say that a conclusion at the end of the work really surprised me, and I've wondered about it since. Maybe if someone else knows what I'm getting at, we can revert to it eventually.

mulberry7

I don't want to spoil anything for future readers, so I'll just say that a conclusion at the end of the work really surprised me, and I've wondered about it since. Maybe if someone else knows what I'm getting at, we can revert to it eventually.

I havent reached the end yet but when I do I will message you again.

This takes me back years and years. |In fact about 50 years ago. We were living in the nottingham area and had taken up ice skating. Through that we met about 8 people from different walks of life who all were skating. It was through a man there , who the ragged was his bible, and I read it and we talked about it et.c The two other things from that time, were that guess who were the expert skaters that we used to sit and watch .? Yes it was Torville and Dean, so we were lucky and when it was their private time on the rink we would sit and watch them. Another person I missed out on , was mentioned to me by another skater who said she would not be coming the next week as she was going to see Billy Connolly! I regretted missing that as shortly after that saw the great Billy with Parky, who couldnt help corpsing of course. Have been a great fan of him ever since and so all these things are mixed up with the book, and singing in the operat in Nottingham co-operative Arts theatre etc. Ah long ago but not forgotten.

madeleine45

This takes me back years and years. |In fact about 50 years ago. We were living in the nottingham area and had taken up ice skating. Through that we met about 8 people from different walks of life who all were skating. It was through a man there , who the ragged was his bible, and I read it and we talked about it et.c The two other things from that time, were that guess who were the expert skaters that we used to sit and watch .? Yes it was Torville and Dean, so we were lucky and when it was their private time on the rink we would sit and watch them. Another person I missed out on , was mentioned to me by another skater who said she would not be coming the next week as she was going to see Billy Connolly! I regretted missing that as shortly after that saw the great Billy with Parky, who couldnt help corpsing of course. Have been a great fan of him ever since and so all these things are mixed up with the book, and singing in the operat in Nottingham co-operative Arts theatre etc. Ah long ago but not forgotten.

What lovely memories to have, Torvill and Dean. As well. How lovely ❤️