The View From My Study 25 September 2026
Monopoly reminds me of rainy days and family arguments and is still one of the world’s best-selling games, with spin-off versions galore including, in this digital age, a speeded-up version for our phones. In reality, it is an incredibly self-centred game with a simple objective: make as much money as possible for yourself while simultaneously making everyone else poor. Not a message we want to promote, especially as our Harvest Festivals approach and we reflect on what we have and how we can share it with others.
Interestingly, Monopoly was originally called The Landlord’s Game. Invented in 1903 by Elizabeth Magie, it was designed to teach people how to survive the challenges of city life. Players earned money by completing tasks and learned about financial management and taxes. By solving problems throughout the game, players developed practical life skills. There were even opportunities to help less successful players and, in many ways, nobody lost.
Perhaps Parker Brothers decided that such a version was not exciting enough so they transformed it into the game we know today. When Monopoly was launched in 1935, its focus on wealth and success probably struck a chord with Americans emerging from the Great Depression.
There is, of course, nothing wrong with working hard to create a comfortable and secure life. Indeed, striving to do well is something we actively encourage. After all, financial security can provide the freedom to pursue other interests and make a positive contribution to society. What matters, however, is how focused on ourselves we become. If all our energy is directed towards accumulating more money, what effect does that have on us and on those around us? If we never share what we have, how can we expect others to value, respect and support us? And when we find ourselves in need, will they be there to help us in return?
At Harvest time, we naturally think about food and how we can support those who are less fortunate than ourselves. We are collecting items for the Rugby Food Bank and there are collection boxes in the reception areas of both the Prep and Pre-Prep buildings.
Yet sharing should not end there. There are many gifts we can offer to enrich the lives of others: our money, our talents, our interests, our time and our love. When we share these things, everybody benefits.
Perhaps the real lesson for Harvest is that life’s greatest riches are not the things we keep for ourselves, but the things we are willing to share with others.
