Transcript of Marxist Literary Criticism Kyle Connor Melissa Luster Lawder Paul.
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- Marxist Literary Criticism Kyle Connor Melissa Luster Lawder
Paul
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- Definition Based on socialist theory of Karl Marx Until perfect
socialist revolution occurs and capitalism eliminated, will be
constant struggle This class conflict reflected in literature
Examines what the literature says about power, money, class
struggle, and equality. Examines literature in relation to Marxist
ideal of eliminating capitalism and promoting socialism Ideology
determined by economics Literature not a result of artistic
endeavor Tell me how much money you have and Ill tell you how you
think.
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- Questions asked by a Marxist critic: Whom does it benefit if
the work or effort is accepted/successful/ believed, etc.? What is
the social class of the author? Which class does the work claim to
represent? What values does it reinforce?
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- Questions asked by a Marxist critic: What values does it
undermine? What conflict can be seen between that values the work
champions and those it portrays? What social classes do the
characters represent? How do characters from different classes
interact or conflict?
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- Using Marxism Techniques in Past Classes: US History
-Industrial Revolution Class struggle between elite and working
class US History- Progressive Era Struggle of working class Upton
Sinclair- The Jungle
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- Examples from literature & How it can be applied Great
Gatsby o Separation between the classes. o Superiority o John
Steinbeck o Fiction that honestly depicts the lives and struggles
of ordinary, working-class people. o Show what life is really like
for workers, small farmers and poor people fighting to survive. o
Inspires hopes for a better world. o Wrote Grapes of Wrath and Of
Mice of Men
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- Examples from real world & How it can be applied Political
Campaigns o A Marxist would agree that there is an unfair advantage
to the amount of money spent on political ads. o Nationally,
advocacy groups have spent a combined $31 million to buy more than
53,000 TV spots in Senate campaigns around the country. (according
to data compiled by The Wesleyan Media Project, which is tracking
political ads in the 2010 elections) Socratic Seminar o Looks into
the background information and historic standpoint.
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- Advantages Encourages reader to consider background of
literature Gain awareness of past historical context Who was in
power during the time? Who was wealthy? Provides insight Ideals and
practices of past societies Important values of the time
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- Disadvantages Analysis is too narrow Focused on the
power/wealth aspect Miss the beautiful/figurative language
Misinterpret/miss main theme or message Tend to ignore other
aspects or the piece Distort its true purpose
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- Answers to analyzing photos: POWER WEALTH STRENGTH
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- How does this photo relate to Marxism? Classless society
Equality Communism = RED
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- Answers to Crossword: 1=Bourgeoisie 2=The Great Gatsby 3=Karl
Marx 4=Proletariat 5=Communism 6=Advantage 7=Disadvantage
8=Capitalism 9=Democracy 10=Marxism