ABSTRACT
This conclusion presents some closing thoughts on the key concepts discussed in the preceding chapters of this book. The book explores religious identity, adult educational groups, and the national experiences in Ireland, Scotland and Wales and examines the presence of classical material in other working lives. The British working classes were almost universally excluded from institutionalised Classics, and from study of ancient languages, but a few overcame the obstacles; many more engaged with the ancient Greeks and Romans in myriad creative ways. The attempts of other extraordinary working-class boys to escape poverty by self-education never quite got off the ground; some ended their days as itinerants, alcoholics or suffering from acute mental disorders. The aura surrounding the ancient cultures did not signify gentlemanliness and financial security everywhere. The book also examines the presence of classical material in other working lives.
