marxism theory Flashcards
main idea
Literature reflects or challenges material conditions and class structures from the time it was written
importance of lens
Analyze how social classes are represented, how class struggle is addressed, and how the writing provides a solution or reinforces these tensions.
Reflectionalism
A text reflects the society that produced it - or vise versa
Material circumstances
Economic conditions underlying a society
Historical situation
Atmosphere created by material circumstances
economics has an influence on everything around us; the base influences most change but is reflected in the superstructure
Literature is propaganda for the ruling classes - what they want the mass to enjoy and favor
Proletariat
Workers in a society
Bourgeoisie
Owners of the means of production in society
Exploitation
Someone performs more labor than necessary
Alienation
Estrangement of people from their human nature - do not control labor
Conflict theory
History develops through class conflicts - tension will always exist
society stays in conflict with each other; between rich and poor
Marx viewed communism as freedom and not oppressive - challenged capitalism for creating class hierarchies
False consciousness
Acceptance of unfavorable social system without dispute
Base
The economy
Superstructure
Culture, religion, law, art, etc. (social, political, etc. systems)
Use value
Worth of something based on function
Exchange Value
Worth of something based on prestige and rep.
Conspicuous consumption
Sending on or consuming luxury to enhance one’s prestige
Commodification
Transformation of good, service, or idea into commodities of trade
Reification
Treating people like commodities to influence the market (celebrities, influencers)
lag
literature start reflecting crisis a little after
raymond williams
within a society, we have multiple hegemonies
