A 1914 novel that inspired socialist activism is being celebrated on the centenary of its publication.
The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists, by Robert Tressell, follows the struggles of 20 decorators in the fictional seaside town of Mugsborough, which is based on Hastings.
It was published in 1914, three years after Tressell, a sign writer, died penniless.
Campaigners hope a statue of him can be put up in the East Sussex town. 'So important'
An exhibition is being held at Hastings Museum and includes a mural panel which is the last piece of the author's work as a sign writer.
Mayor of Hastings Bruce Dowling said: "The book has been transcribed into about 30 or 40 different languages around the world and has sold thousands and thousands of books.
"He is a very important man and I think the book itself is something that people need to read to understand why it is so important."
The central character, Frank Owen, is a socialist who tries, unsuccessfully, to get his fellow workers to stand up to a capitalist system. 'Inspired people'
The novel is set in the early 20th Century and much of the story is thought to be based on Tressell's experiences as a worker in Hastings.
Cathy Walling, from Hastings Museum and Art Gallery, said: "It has been very influential and inspired people to be involved in trade unionism and political activism ever since its publication."
Actor Ricky Tomlinson said the book "changed his life" after it was given to him when he was in jail for offences relating to his union activities during the 1972 builders' strike. Tomlinson is still trying to clear his name.
Tressell, whose real name was Robert Noonan, wrote the novel while living in London Road but it was rejected by publishers.
He died in the Royal Liverpool Infirmary in poverty and obscurity.
I'm enjoying the book. I find the era interesting and reading about what it was like in that time as well as the characters. It was recommended to me by a friend last week.
This book often appears on lists of The World's Great Books - personally, I found it totally unreadable, because of its pervasive tone of class hatred. However, the helpful introduction led me to read in full the key chapter, in which the vision of a Socialist Paradise of complete equality is explained. Everyone should read this chapter, because it shows how unrealistic the whole vision is.
The author, as a good Socialist, believes that rich people are 'selfish' and that 'the workers' are not. The truth is that all people are selfish, and want to be richer than they already are. That is what gets things done, and makes society work. Under socialism, it is banned - that's why socialist societies don't work. Vietnam is a thriving country today, only because the Vietnamese have dismantled their socialist institutions, and returned their 'collective farms' to private ownership. They didn't work. Now they do.
The second unrealistic assumption the author makes is that a socialist government will always act totally in the interests of the workers, and be completely incorruptible. Step forward, Marxist leader Robert Mugabe...
smeggypants wrote:Socialism works great for the bankers. The Govt pays them billions in benefits if their profits are down
Likewise, capitalism works great for socialists.
In 2007 Livingstone changed the GLA rules so that his eight key advisers, four associated with Socialist Action (including John Ross and the late Redmond O'Neill), who as temporary appointments would not normally have been entitled to severance pay, received an average of £200,000 each
