'Paved With Gold' Summary

Philip, a young boy living a life of hardship in the workhouse, escapes his dreary existence to navigate the labyrinthine streets of London. He encounters a world teeming with both hardship and opportunity, where he witnesses the stark contrasts of poverty and wealth. Philip is forced to learn the harsh realities of street life, encountering various characters, some benevolent and others predatory. Through the lens of Philip's experiences, Mayhew paints a vivid portrait of Victorian London, exploring themes of child labor, crime, and the struggles of the underprivileged. He delves into the societal issues that plagued the era, offering a critical commentary on the plight of the vulnerable and the inequalities that permeated society. While the story focuses on the harsh realities of Philip's journey, it also hints at the possibility of redemption and finding one's place in a society that often seems indifferent to those on the margins.