-Marxism-

Katie Hoover -Kelsey Singer- Beth Patton- Sarah Marich

What is Marxism?•The system of economic and political thought

developed by Karl Marx, along with Friedrich Engels, especially the doctrine that the state throughout history has been a device for the exploitation of the masses by a dominant class, that class struggle has been the main agency of historical change, and that the capitalist system, containing from the first the seeds of its own decay, will inevitably, after the period of the dictatorship of the proletariat, be superseded by a socialist order and a classless society.

Major Ideas and Characteristics• States that getting and keeping economic power

is the motive behind all social and political activities.

• Emphasis on the differences in the socioeconomic classes

• Marx believed that the “worker's” condition worsens as his production increases in the capitalist system.

• Communism is the system Marx believed would inevitably emerge as the society of the future. Society would organize itself in this way because of the supposed contradictions inherent in capitalist society.

• Marx was a determinist who believed that human thoughts came from material circumstances instead of from independent thinking.

Marxism Gets Noticed

• Only in the late 1880s did Marx’s theories begin to claim the serious attention of academic social scientists. The first major work of sociology to recognize his importance and to display the influence of his thought was Ferdinand Tönnies’ Community and Society (1887).

• A more general recognition by the German academic world of Marx’s importance as a sociological thinker became apparent in the 1890s with the publication of a long essay by Werner Sombart on Marx’s theory of modern capitalism, books by Rudolf Stammler and Thomas G. Masaryk

Questions about Pride & Prejudice based on Marxism

1. Does Pride & Prejudice reinforce or challenge, intentionally or unintentionally, classist (capitalist/imperialist) values?

2. How might Pride&Prejudice be seen as a critique of classist values?

3. How does the novel reflect the socioeconomic conditions of the time in which it was written, and what do those conditions reveal about the history of class struggles?

4. How is the class structure responsible for much of the story’s action and plot?

5. In what ways does the text reveal, and invite one to condemn tyrannical socioeconomic forces?

Page 128• “He spoke well, but there were feelings

besides those of the heart to be detailed, and he was not more eloquent on the subject of tenderness than pride. His sense of her inferiority- of its being a degradation- of the family obstacles which judgment had always opposed to inclination, were dwelt on with a warmth which seemed due to the consequence he was wounding, but was very unlikely to recommend his suit.”

• Mr. Darcy is acknowledging the difference in class between himself and Elizabeth, admitting

that he felt superiority over her, and that he couldn’t get involved with her because her status was not socially acceptable. He felt that he has a

reputation to uphold, and he would lose his social standing just by associating with her.

• This is Marxist because Darcy is expressing the views of Marxism by trying at all costs to salvage

his own economic wealth and stature.

Page 237

• “I was told, that not only your sister was on the point of being most advantageously married, but that you, that Miss Elizabeth Bennet, would in all likelihood, be soon afterwards united with my nephew, my own nephew, Mr. Darcy. Though I know it must be a scandalous falsehood; though I would not inquire him so much as to suppose the truth of it possible, I instantly resolved on setting off for this place, that I might make my sentiments known to you.”

• Lady Catherine is degrading Elizabeth Bennet by attacking her relationship with Mr. Darcy and their possible question of

marriage. Catherine was angry with Elizabeth for her seeming to be with

Darcy, despite the differences in social class and economic status. She found it disgraceful, and morally wrong to mix the classes as such; which is another major

character of Marxism.

• “And if I am that choice, why may not I accept him?- “Because honour, decorum, prudence,

nay interest, forbid it. Yes, miss Bennet, interest; for do not expect to be noticed by his family or

friends, if you willfully act against the inclinations of all. You will be censured, slighted, and

despised, by everyone connected with him. Your alliance will be a disgrace; your name will never

even be mentioned by any of us.”

• Another point that Lady Catherine is making is that she cannot stop Elizabeth from marrying

Darcy, but if she does, she will never be a part of their family, never be equal to any of them, due to her lack of money. This is a blatant example

of Marxism because Catherine is being very straight forward in saying that Elizabeth is not

good enough for Darcy socioeconomic-wise, and everyone around her will shun her for it.

Page 1

• “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a life.”

• Austen uses a very misused conception to open her novel, Pride and Prejudice. She is implying that all men that have a significant amount of money, and are in good economic standing, must be looking for an equally wealthy wife, to complete his social circle of acceptance from society. Marxism is evident in this line from the novel, showing Austen’s discontent with the socioeconomic corruption of her era, in an attempt to make readers aware of said corruption, and use of satire to reinforce her point of view.

Page 1

• “Oh! Single, my dear, to be sure! A single man of large fortune; four or five thousand a year. What a fine thing for our girls!”

• This is another example of Marxism from the Bennet family this time, and shows

how shallow Mrs. Bennet really is, and her disregard for her daughters’ emotional

happiness, and sole focus on their financial well-being. Mrs. Bennet exposes

her true colors; obsession with social/economic status over her children’s

happiness really hits the Marx.