Marxist Criticism

Question 1

Karl Marx

Answer 1

19-th century philosopher and economist

ideas about class struggle and economic inequality were
later applied to the study of literature

Question 2

Marxist Literary theory

Answer 2

understanding literature that emphasizes the role of economics and class struggle in shaping society and culture.

relationships between
literature and the social and economic
structures that shape society

Analyzes and seeks ways to challenge how literature reflects and
reinforces dominant ideologies and power structures

Question 3

Definitions

Answer 3

Class struggle: conflict between
different social classes, often
driven by economic interests.

Bourgeoisie; capitalist class
who own most of society’s wealth and
means of production

Proletarist; working class people
regarded collectively

Ideology; “the way people think about the world and their place in it, often shaped by their social and
economic position”

False Consciousness; people are
unaware of their true interests and
are misled by ideology”

Base; “the economic and
social structures that
shape society, such as
capitalism, socialism, and communism”

Superstructure; “the cultural, political, and ideological institutions that shape society, such as government, education, and media”

Question 4

Controversy

Answer 4

It overlooks the complexity of human experience and the multiple influences on individual consciousness.

It fails to consider the roles of race, gender, sexuality, and other social dynamics in shaping society.

Marxist criticism often reduces literary works to mere reflections of economic conditions, ignoring their aesthetic and formal qualities, which limits the appreciation of literature’s complexity.