The Crown of Wild Olive also Munera Pulveris; Pre-Raphaelitism; Aratra Pentelici; The Ethics of the Dust; Fiction, Fair and Foul; The Elements of Drawing

"The Crown of Wild Olive" by John Ruskin is a compilation of speeches made in the late 1800s that tackles important issues of the time, like how people work, how businesses operate, and the impact of war. Ruskin looks at the negative effects of factories and money-driven societies on what's good and bad, questioning how we value work and urging society to rethink where we put our energy. The book shines a light on the hard lives of workers and the moral duties of those with wealth. Early on, Ruskin thinks about the beautiful but sad state of the English countryside, which he believes shows how factories harm nature and people. He complains about pollution and waste from chasing profits, pointing out that this physical destruction mirrors a deeper moral problem in society. Ruskin starts his discussions by asking important questions about what matters in both money-making and individual jobs, suggesting that chasing wealth often causes people to lose sight of what is truly important and enjoyable in life. This start is meant to draw readers in with familiar ideas about the environment and fairness, setting the scene for deeper conversations later on.