A Commentary

"A Commentary" by John Galsworthy is a set of observations that explores early 20th-century societal problems and wrongs, mainly spotlighting the hardships faced by laborers, and how societal organizations affect people's lives. The book uses conversations and thoughts of characters to show ideas like being poor, the uselessness of hope, and how machines changed modern life. Initially, we meet an old man with one arm, working at a construction area waving a red flag to caution vehicles about a steamroller. He voices deep worries regarding the working class’ problems by thinking about the tough truths about their lives including their depressing living situations and moral decline throughout society. His discussions touch on democracy, government failures, and workers' efforts to keep their self-respect in a cruel world. His sad and sharp comments pave the way for following conversations about problems in society that Galsworthy intends to talk about.