1. Marxist Literary Criticism
Week 11
Marxist Literary Criticism

2. What is Marxist Criticism?
Marxist Criticism applies political science and economics to the study of literature.
Marxist Criticism grew out of the writings of Karl Marx, who was highly critical of the capitalist system of economics and politics. Marx wrote “The Communist Manifesto”.
Marxism is concerned about the ways in which governments and businesses that control the means of production (factories, etc.) exert control over the working classes.
Marxist Criticism is concerned with issues of class conflict, wealth, work, and the various ideologies that surround these things.
An ideology is a group of ideals/values and ideas, especially one that forms the basis of a political of economic system.
“The history of all existing society is the history of class conflict.”
Karl Marx

3. Questions Marxist Critics Ask:
How do issues of social class and economic status affect the characters and events in this work?
Are characters aware of the economic and political forces that are acting on them?
What ideological assumptions about class and economic statues does this work make?
In what ways does this work either challenge or support the class or political structures it describes?

4. A Marxist Criticism Analysis Example
If you did the homework, you have already read an example of what Marxist Criticism looks like in response to the short story “I Stand Here Ironing” by Tillie Olsen
Let’s review textbook example of use of critical theory together
Notice what Marxist Criticism prioritizes when it analyzes literature:
Economic status of characters
Oppression based on wealth, access to economic privilege, or lack thereof
Class conflict
Contrast to the SAME short story as analyzed through the lens of Feminist Criticism?

5. Another Example: Applying Marxist Criticism to The Hunger Games
If you are interested in Marxist Criticism, I personally think that The Hunger Games provides lots of material to analyze.
Some Questions Marxist Critics Might Ask About THG:
What social and economic issues are at work in District 12 and in Panem at large?
What assumptions do these characters make about social class and access to food, clothing, etc?
What are the tesserae and how does this play a role in social class? What kind of families usually have to apply for tesserae and who does not?
In what ways does this book challenge or support the system that it describes?
What comment do you feel the book is making about American entertainment and capitalism, and its relationship to economic privilege and oppression in our society?

6. More on Marxist Criticism and THG
What additional insights do you think that Marxist Criticism might offer us?
Consider issues of power and money – who has them, and how do those people treat Katniss and the other people from District 12?
Consider the significance of the so-called “Career Tributes”. What do their districts have the others do not? How does this affect their willing participation in the Games?
Are the Career Tributes and District 1 and 2 actually happy with the Games and the Capitol, or is this a survival tactic in an inherently unfair economic system?

7. Working on The Research Paper

8. How do I read an article of literary criticism?
Most works of literary criticism are published in journals, and can range from brief, four or five page articles to fifty or sixty page essays. Before you begin to read, identify:
Who is the author of the article?
Can you tell which critical theory the author is using?
Read the abstract (if there is one). This should give you a summary of the article.
Identify the thesis (provoking or arguable claim) of the article.
How does the author support his or her thesis?
If the author quotes the work of literature, look at those quotes in context. Do you agree with the author’s interpretation?
How does the author incorporate the ideas from the critical theory into his or her analysis?

9. How do I use an article in my essay?
Agree with the author’s interpretation, and add something to it.
“They say [THIS] and also…” or
“[THIS] helps us realize that [your point]”
Use the author’s ideas about your chosen critical theory as a springboard for your own.
Analyze a passage the author didn’t discuss and show how it fits with his or her ideas.
Disagree with the author’s interpretation.
“So-and-so has not taken THIS into account”
What has the author overlooked?
Where do you see evidence for a different, contradictory interpretation?

10. Research Paper: Suggestion #1
Become very familiar with the critical theory that you are using.
Re-read the section on your chosen theory in your textbook.
Don’t wait for the day we discuss it in class! If a particular theory looks interesting to you, read the intro on it in our textbook and research it on your own!
Do additional research on your theory in the library and on the internet. Learn the terms and assumptions that are unique to that theory.
Read several works of criticism that use that theory, even if they are not related to the work of literature that you are writing about.

11. Suggestion #2
Become very familiar with the literary work(s) you will be analyzing.
Reread them carefully, mark them, highlight them, look over the reading journals you did for them.
What new insights do you have on this second reading? What themes/patterns/literary techniques do you notice?
Have your textbook open to the work as you read literary criticism so you can refer to the original story/poem/play.

12. Suggestion #3 Keep good records of where you find ideas.
If you wish to use an idea that you found in your research, that is perfectly acceptable, but you must tell me where that idea came from, which means that you need to keep records.
That way, you can always find the information you need when it comes time to make your works cited page.
YOU MUST USE MLA FORMAT. (see textbook for examples)

13. Suggestion #4 Don’t wait until the last week to begin this project.
I have given you 5 weeks to work on this paper, and the amount of work that is required of you will take up all of that time. Don’t put it off.
Set goals for yourself each week when it comes to this project.

14. Research Paper Weekly Goals
A Suggested Schedule for Work on Your Research Paper

15. Research Paper Weekly Goals
Choose literary work and critical theory.
Research and become familiar with critical theory by reading three or four articles that use that theory.
Reread story/poem/play and take a lot of notes.
Formulate (come up with) a rough idea of the question you will research.
Begin to do research in library databases and other reputable sources for critical articles that are relevant to your question.

16. Research Paper Weekly Goals
Continue to research and find literary criticism that is relevant to your question.
Find out what debates are going on about your work of literature. Adjust your question if necessary.
Read the literary criticism you find carefully, highlighting, annotating, and keeping track of interesting ideas from each source.
Take notes on your reactions to these critical articles. Do you agree? Disagree? What can you add to the ideas that are presented in the articles?

17. Research Paper Weekly Goals
Construct a rough thesis statement
This needs to be done by Thursday, May 12 when you bring in a rough introduction and 2 sources.
Week 15
Make an outline of your paper where each paragraph contributes to the goal of supporting that thesis.
In your outline, decide where it would be appropriate to include ideas/quotes from your sources.
Write a Rough Draft of your essay
Due on Tues, May 17 for Peer Review—see schedule

18. Research Paper Weekly Goals
REREAD THE PROMPT. Make sure your essay meets all the minimum requirements stated on the prompt.
Revise your rough draft. Make sure that your ideas are clearly, thoughtfully explained.
Check to make sure that all ideas that are not yours are cited correctly.
Proofread.
Turn in your Final Draft on Thursday, May 26