Down and Out in Paris and London

"A plongeur is a slave, and a wasted slave, doing stupid and largely unnecessary work. He is kept at work, ultimately, because of a vague feeling that he would be dangerous if he had leisure. And educated people, who should be on his side, acquiesce in the process, because they know nothing about him and consequently are afraid of him." "It is worth saying something about the social position of beggars, for when one has consorted with them, and found that they are ordinary human beings, one cann