Classless: an introduction to Marxism

Karl Marx

• Philosopher from Germany• Published books such as: Communist Manifesto and Das

Kapital• Was exiled from Germany and France because of his

writings• Resided in England for the remainder of his life• His theories centered around the issues surrounding the

wealthy and the poor.• Social class has a direct correlation to the quality of life• Wanted wealth to be distributed equally amongst the social

classes

Marxist Literary Criticism• Reads and analyzes literature from the perspective

of Marxist theory• Critiques how class structure, specifically the

Proletariat and Bourgeoisie, are represented in literature

• Examines class structure, the oppression and alienation of the working class at the hands of business owners

• Focuses on the promotion of the status quo, how conflict between social classes is addressed or ignored, how the working class is either powerless or subversive to ruling authority, and how ruling authority uses power to oppress

• Seeks to highlight a materialistic interpretation of historical views

Purpose of Marxist Literary Criticism

• Shows how issues surrounding social structure are ignored in most literary works

• Empowers people belonging to all social classes to overcome prejudice

• Seeks to transform language to eliminate inequality between social classes

• Seeks to prevent capitalistic status quo in texts

• Shows how language has been used to demean members of the working class

• offers a perspective that echoes the importance of all people and their work

Terminology• Class: the separation of people based on economic status• Proletariat: working class (lower class)• Bourgeoisie: wealthy business owners (upper class)• Capitalism: An economic system where a nation’s wealth is controlled by private

business owners• Oppression: unjust treatment toward a group of people over a prolonged period of time• Division of Labour: the different jobs appropriated to different social classes• Market: capitalistic economy, prices are based on competition rather than controlled by

the government• Status Quo: the existing social, economic, political structure• Ideology: A belief system• False Consciousness: acceptance of an unfavorable social system without question or

protest• Weltanschauung: World view of a group of people• Dialectical Materialism: friction between two opposing forces, e.g. political or social,

ultimate resolution is a fusion of both sides. Conflict is always caused by material needs.

Questions a Marxist Theorist would Ask

• Does the text display people of different social classes in a similar attitude?

• Does the text promote the status quo of society?• Are conflicts regarding social classes addressed or

ignored?• Does the text give a solution to social discrimination?• Do the people in the text overcome their oppression?• What happens to characters who rebel against the

status quo?• Are values that support capitalism given privilege?• Who is the hero, the proletariat or the bourgeoisies?• Are people of the working class given dialogue or a

prominent role in the action/themes?