What is the theme in The Road to Wigan Pier by George Orwell?

Unemployment and poverty make up the main theme in the book. The book's commissioned purpose was to illustrate the conditions obtaining in Northern England for the unemployed. During the 1930s England—indeed the world—was suffering from prolonged economic depression and unemployment was rampant. Officially, two millions of people were unemployed though Orwell suggests that six millions would be closer to the truth.