Marxist Literary Theory

Question 1

Historical Background

Answer 1

• Based on the thinking of Karl Marx, a German philosopher and economist
• He suggested that those who control the means of production, control society

Question 2

How is Marxism applied to literature?

Answer 2

• It is not a method of literary analysis but its principles may be applied to literature as literature is a reflection of ideologies of its time period

Question 3

Reflectionism

Answer 3

• Assumes a text will reflect the society that produced it
• Reflectionism can also be seen in reverse, literature and art may affect a society. This is how revolution occurs

Question 4

Bourgeoisie

Answer 4

• Those who own property, and who control the means of production
• The owners

Question 5

Proletariat

Answer 5

• The workers whose labour produces wealth for the bourgeoisie
• The working class

Question 6

Interpellation

Answer 6

• The proletariat is manipulated to accept the ideology of the bourgeoisie

Question 7

Material Circumstances

Answer 7

• The economic conditions underlying a society

Question 8

Historical Situation

Answer 8

The atmosphere that material circumstances create

Question 9

Capitalism

Answer 9

• Economic system in which the means of production are privately owned by individuals or corporations to competitively produce goods and services for the public

Question 10

The base

Answer 10

Methods of production

Question 11

Superstructure

Answer 11

• The social, political, and ideological systems generated by the based

Question 12

Marx thought that…

Answer 12

The proletariat would eventually notice the unbalanced role of the bourgeoisie and unleash a revolution

Question 13

Commodification

Answer 13

• The valuing of material things not for their usefulness but for their power to impress others (sign value) or for their resale possibilities (exchange value)

Question 14

Conspicuous Consumption

Answer 14

• Extreme focus on material acquisition

Question 15

False Consciousness

Answer 15

When cultural conditioning leads people to accept a system that is unfavourable to them

Question 16

What are art and literature often used for?

Answer 16

• Propaganda
• To reinforce the idea that the situation of the proletariat is right and just

Question 17

Sympathetic Text

Answer 17

• Promotes the ideologies of the time

Question 18

Critical Text

Answer 18

• Depicts the negative aspects of a socio-economic system
• Designed to raise awareness and promote change in society

Question 19

Marxist Theory - General Idea

Answer 19

• A social, economic and political theory that analyses the impact of the ruling class on the working class
• Leading to uneven distribution of wealth and privileges in society

Question 20

What is the moving force behind human history?

Answer 20

Its economic system