The ragged trousered philanthropist

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 ❤️

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

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

Think you are massively missing the point of the book!

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.

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.

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.

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 !!

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!

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

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.

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

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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