The ragged trousered philanthropists

The novel, set in the fictional town of Mugsborough (based on Hastings), follows the lives of house painters and decorators struggling with poverty and exploitation.

It is a scathing critique of capitalism and highlights the ignorance and apathy of the working class towards their own exploitation.

The book advocates for a socialist society where work is performed to satisfy the needs of all, rather than to generate profit for a few.

Key chapters, such as 'The Great Money Trick,' illustrate Marxist theories of surplus value through practical examples.