1. 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

2. 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?

3. 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 Tillie Olsen’s short story “I Stand Here Ironing”
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

4. Applying Marxist Criticism to The Hunger Games
Hopefully most of you have started reading our second novel, 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?

5. 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?

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

7. 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.

8. 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?

9. Research Paper Weekly Goals
Construct a rough thesis statement that is an ANSWER to the original question you asked.
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.

10. Research Paper Weekly Goals
Read your work of literature again (if it is short) REREAD THE PROMPT. Do you have any new insights now that you have read several articles of literary criticism about the work?
Revise your rough draft. Make sure that your ideas are clearly, thoughtfully explained.
Make sure your essay meets all the minimum requirements stated on the prompt.
Check to make sure that all ideas that are not yours are cited correctly.
Proofread.
Turn in your Final Draft

11. Use My Office Hours (I get lonely!)
I am in my office (Room 16 INST) from 11:00—12:10 (before class) every Thursday.
If I’m not there, it means I’ve stepped out for a moment. Wait for a minute, and I’ll be back.
If you ask me ahead of time, I can also meet with you after my second class at 3:20.
If you can’t see me during these times, talk to me after class or me and we can set up a different option.
If you are struggling with this assignment, and you would like me to look at a working thesis or an outline, I would be happy to do that with you.