John Ruskin is critical of a society in which they become poorer and the rich, richer. What social reforms does he propose for the economic relief of the poor class?
John Ruskin, an esteemed art critic, social critic, and social reformer, was highly critical of a society characterized by growing poverty among the working class and increasing wealth among the rich. Recognized as a master of English prose, Ruskin possessed a remarkable command of the language, employing a flexible instrument that blended personal and impersonal elements. His writing style was characterized by simplicity, devoid of excessive ornamentation or ambiguity. Notably, Ruskin's writing featured lengthy sentences, where complex structures and embedded sentences were employed to convey his ideas effectively. Moreover, he often utilized biblical references to strengthen his arguments.
Born during the industrial age, Ruskin observed a society that appeared to prioritize development, stability, prosperity, and ethics. While the upper class enjoyed lives of luxury, the middle class struggled through lives of hardship and toil. Although welfare work was encouraged and valued, the working class endured abysmal conditions, with high death rates, prevalent diseases, and rampant deprivation in industrial towns and cities. Slums were common, and children were forced into labor. The plight of the poor class and the prevailing poverty and debt they faced were treated as criminal offenses punishable by imprisonment.
Ruskin regarded his age as excessively materialistic, where the pursuit of wealth degraded individuals, leading to shamelessness and cruelty. He criticized a society where the poor became increasingly impoverished, while the rich accumulated greater wealth. Unlike those who valued money above all else, Ruskin himself placed a higher value on humanity. He consistently advocated for the welfare of ordinary individuals, criticizing the societal cost of human suffering and calling for social reform.
One of Ruskin's differentiating factors between the working class and the idle class was the distinction between work and play. He argued that the work of the rich was, in fact, a form of play, with the cost of these indulgences borne by the impoverished working class. Ruskin censured various forms of play engaged in by the British, such as hunting, extravagant clothing, and warfare, asserting that the pursuit of wealth through these activities came at the expense of the toil and suffering endured by the poor. His critique focused on the need for social reform, as these frivolous behaviors perpetuated great human suffering and sacrifice.
Ruskin emphasized the sharp contrast in living conditions through the juxtaposition of two newspaper sketches. One quote highlighted a rich man purchasing expensive apricots out of season, while the other featured a poor "bone picker" who, at the time of his death, possessed only a coin and some bones in his pocket. This stark contradiction served as Ruskin's way of highlighting the urgent need for societal reform, as the blatant manipulation of wealth demonstrated an inhumane state of affairs.
In his lecture "Work" in "The Crown of Wild Olive," Ruskin expressed his disdain for a society in which the poor continually experienced impoverishment while the rich grew wealthier. He criticized the upper classes for exploiting the labor of impoverished workers to meet their own needs. In his view, there was no distinction between modern capitalists and medieval barons concerning their treatment of the poor.
Ruskin argued that the industrial age provided ample opportunities for wealth creation, but he was critical of the methods employed to acquire wealth. He sought to reform society's work ethic, contending that various professionals, including priests, soldiers, and doctors, should view money as a result of their efforts for the betterment of humanity, rather than the sole purpose of their work. He emphasized that the main objective of a fulfilling life should not revolve around one's dinner or the accumulation of wealth. According to Ruskin, only the "ill-educated, cowardly, and more or less stupid" placed greater value on money than on their work. In the pursuit of monetary gain, it is the poor who suffer, akin to horses competing in a race for the benefit of the wealthy.
Ruskin proposed several social reforms, asserting that wise work should be characterized by honesty, usefulness, and the recognition and respect of labor. He criticized the prevalence of dishonesty in work and stressed the importance of justice in all aspects of labor. Additionally, he called for the reform of hard work, transforming it into a healthy and enjoyable endeavor that sparked intrinsic interest among workers. He advocated for voluntary work without any unjust power dynamics between employers and employees. Ruskin argued that one of the great evils of civilization was the failure to acknowledge and respect the value of hard work. Workers did not find fulfillment or happiness in their assigned tasks; rather, they considered earning money as merely a means of survival.
Ruskin's social reform proposals focused on creating equal opportunities and value for all individuals, regardless of their socioeconomic status. By highlighting the need for reform in societal attitudes toward work, he aimed to foster a more moral, ethical, and prosperous society.
It is important to note that while Ruskin's social reform theories have garnered critical acclaim, some critics and social scientists have offered counterarguments. Some contend that Ruskin's proposed world was elitist in terms of leadership and lacked independence. His notion of intrinsic value was viewed as antiquated, with potentially dictatorial effects, as only those who understood the true value would be allowed to regulate the economy. Critics also argue that Ruskin's idealized world appeared backward in various aspects, including agriculture and economics. Ruskin's aversion to the expansion of machinery and his call for limitations were considered problematic. Furthermore, critics argue that as Ruskin grew older, his conservatism solidified, leading to shifts in his stance on topics such as interest, ultimately aligning with classical and medieval ideas that equated interest with injustice.
J.A. Hobson, who held more socialist views, rejected certain aspects of Ruskin's ideas. While Hobson acknowledged that a better life could be achieved by increasing the number of individuals working in agriculture, he recognized that Britain could never revert to being fundamentally agrarian and should not strive to do so. Hobson argued that Ruskin failed to acknowledge the strengths of modern competitive industry and undervalued the importance of machinery and modern advancements. Hobson also critiqued Ruskin's limited definition of interest, asserting that he failed to recognize the significance of making money available in areas of greatest need. Hobson emphasized the inclusion of a risk factor in the pursuit of a better life for the community, rather than focusing solely on increasing the income of the poor.
In conclusion, John Ruskin, a renowned social critic, and reformer, strongly criticized the widening gap between the rich and poor, advocating for social reforms to address the economic plight of the working class. Through his writings and lectures, Ruskin highlighted the injustices of a society that perpetuated the impoverishment of the poor while allowing the wealthy to accumulate greater wealth. He proposed reforms that included the transformation of work ethic, the recognition of labor, and the establishment of a more equitable society. While his ideas garnered both praise and criticism, Ruskin's contributions to social reform continue to shape discussions on equality and justice in society.
References:
https://neoenglish.wordpress.com/2010/11/14/ruskin-as-a-social-reformer/
https://www.coursehero.com/file/6675793/Ruskin/#question
https://www.slideshare.net/thetrillian1/ruskin-message
https://www.coursehero.com/file/61726983/Ruskin-as-a-social-reformerdocx/#question
https://www.ier.hit-u.ac.jp/extra/6.Cain.pdf
https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/pdfplus/10.1086/210840
References:
https://neoenglish.wordpress.com/2010/11/14/ruskin-as-a-social-reformer/
https://www.coursehero.com/file/6675793/Ruskin/#question
https://www.slideshare.net/thetrillian1/ruskin-message
https://www.coursehero.com/file/61726983/Ruskin-as-a-social-reformerdocx/#question
https://www.ier.hit-u.ac.jp/extra/6.Cain.pdf
https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/pdfplus/10.1086/210840
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