Marxist Literary Theory Mo money, mo problems!

"Marxism attempts to reveal the ways in which our socioeconomic system is the ultimate source of our experience" (Tyson 277). "...what drives historical change are the material realities of the economic base of society, rather than the ideological superstructure of politics, law, philosophy, religion, and art that is built upon that economic base" (Richter 1088). First quote: money drives everything – our desires, thoughts, and beliefs are all drive by the desire for money, the abundance of money, or the lack of money. Second quote: change or upheaval is a result of economic inequalities, not of politics or “social change” Example: women fought for independence because they wanted equal access to money, not because of an ideological belief in “equality”

Key claims of Marxist criticism – 1 Evolving history of humanity is determined by changing economic systems. gender roles are beginning to change because women are becoming the bread winners of the family. If we value money, then will we eventually become a society that values women and devalues men? This would be the opposite of most of history (when men were the bread winners and thus were valued over women)

Key claims of Marxist criticism – 2 Historical changes in the role of production cause changes in social class and the struggle for economic, political, and social advantage. The industrial revolution created a middle class – more people had jobs, they could buy stuff, because they could buy stuff (like washing machines and cars) they had more leisure time. Because they had more leisure time, they could get involved in things like politics, which had previously only been accessible to upper class citizens. Because they could get involved in politics, they could advocate for things like Unions, labor laws, and other means of control and power.

Key claims of Marxist criticism – 3 What we think is a direct result of the economic and social realities of our time Think back to Heart of Darkness – how are Marlow and Conrad a product of their time? How is Achebe a product of his time? In essence, we are all in servitude to capitalistic structures and class systems. In a more direct way, we are all slaves to money.

Assumptions of Marxist Criticism Everything determined by economics. “class is exploitative”- the wealthy dominate the masses Literature is product of “super” class and is therefore a tool to dominate Thinking determined by economic factors Lower class dominated by wealthy class- forced value systems and beliefs often through money or commoditization of goods. Both these ideas can be applied to the study of literature because it’s a product of culture and social conflict. What would Achebe think of this last bullet point?

Example Ooooh, I want to be like Usher! I gotta go buy some stuff so I can be more like Usher and get ladies (or guys)! Here is an example of the wealthy dominating the masses. Who does this benefit?

Marxism Big Question: How does this text comment on or represent class conflict? Class distinctions Economic and cultural productions Structure of factories replicated in social forms Commoditization of goods/people/places/ideas Class can be social, political, or economic. How are groups seen as distinct from one another? Are certain groups privileged? What ideas or actions might be a production of economics or cultural norms or groups? For example, Social forms like music, films, advertising as promoting factory structure and mentality. Even school: set years, schedule, courses, grouped into categories. Very interesting TedTalk by Sir Ken Robertson on how modern education is failing precisely because its like a factory killing creativity. How are people used as commodities? HOD or Things Fall Apart.

Mini questions to ask of the text: Whom does it benefit if the book is accepted/successful/believed, etc.? What is the social class of the author? Which class does the work claim to represent? What values does it reinforce? What values does it subvert? What conflict can be seen between the values the work champions and those it portrays? What social classes do the characters represent? How do characters from different classes interact or conflict? Explore how different social classes are represented in the text- stereotypes? Assumptions? Examine the effects of power drawn from social or economic class- how do specific characters benefit from their own social location or political location? How do the “have nots” behave? Link text to social class of author and make connections- do some background research and try to see where the author might be coming from. Examine how the text itself functions as a means of class control- we know that voice equals power- try to figure out the broader effects of this novel? How has it or how might it alter or influence a certain class in its society?