The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists by Robert Tressell

The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists by Robert Tressell
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Tressell’s novel of early twentieth century working-class society looks at the struggle of searching for employment in an increasingly populated town; where Victorians have strived for a better class of living through advancements in sanitation and medical well-being. It focuses on the beliefs of a group of painters; who constantly debate their social standing with each other and of their social survival within the fictional and aptly named town of Mugsborough. The colourful characters makes for some very interesting debates during their breaks of how society should be run. Frank Owen is the sole campaigner longing for change; but he cannot persuade his colleagues to take matters into their own hands and is instead forced to place his future in the hands of his better man. The descriptions are very detailed; as if Tressell is educating the reader of the behaviour of the working classes and leading them on a safari of their environments. Much mockery is made of working class life; but it does make for a very entertaining tale.

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