Marxist criticism emphasizes how literature reflects class struggles and economic determinism. It focuses on how the lower classes are constantly oppressed by the ruling bourgeoisie class. Works analyzed through this lens often feature characters from lower classes whose lives and decisions are influenced by their economic circumstances and desire to change social classes. Both Heart of Darkness and The Farmer's Son illustrate how characters are impacted by their economic status according to Marxist critical perspectives.
Marxist criticism emphasizes how literature reflects class struggles and economic determinism. It focuses on how the lower classes are constantly oppressed by the ruling bourgeoisie class. Works analyzed through this lens often feature characters from lower classes whose lives and decisions are influenced by their economic circumstances and desire to change social classes. Both Heart of Darkness and The Farmer's Son illustrate how characters are impacted by their economic status according to Marxist critical perspectives.
Marxist criticism emphasizes how literature reflects class struggles and economic determinism. It focuses on how the lower classes are constantly oppressed by the ruling bourgeoisie class. Works analyzed through this lens often feature characters from lower classes whose lives and decisions are influenced by their economic circumstances and desire to change social classes. Both Heart of Darkness and The Farmer's Son illustrate how characters are impacted by their economic status according to Marxist critical perspectives.
Marxist criticism emphasizes how literature reflects class struggles and economic determinism. It focuses on how the lower classes are constantly oppressed by the ruling bourgeoisie class. Works analyzed through this lens often feature characters from lower classes whose lives and decisions are influenced by their economic circumstances and desire to change social classes. Both Heart of Darkness and The Farmer's Son illustrate how characters are impacted by their economic status according to Marxist critical perspectives.
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Critical Theory
Marxist Criticism
By: Group 1 Karl Marx (1818-1883)
Born in May 05, 1818 in Trier, Prussia
Oldest surviving boy in a family of nine children A revolutionary, sociologist, philosopher, historian, and economist Marxist Criticism:
“Literature reflects class struggle and materialism.” Take a look at this!
SOCIAL STRATIFICATION Economic Determinist/Marxist Criticism Karl Marx (1818-1883) emphasized that the primary influence on life was economics, and he saw society as an opposition between the capitalists and the working class.
By: Mary Kristine R. Bonifacio
Marxist Criticism Emphasize the role of class (social and economic standing) and ideology (main underlying principles) as they reflect, promote, and sometimes challenge the prevailing social order. They often focus how those in power seek to maintain that power, in part by justifying it through art and literature. They also focus on the struggle that exists between the working class and the ruling (elite) class. 1. The Aristocracy 2. The Bourgeoisie 3. The Proletariat -this is the feudal society -this includes the traditional notion of nobility like monarchies and kingdoms The role of class in the society was emphasized by Marxist criticism. A. The bourgeoisie B. The Proletariat -rich
-owned the means of production such as
machinery, factory buildings and others -built their powers with the acquisition of their capitals. -they controlled factories, businesses and other enterprises -they exploited the working class to generate their wealth -their source of income is their profit -this is most probably the social class that have the most power and money that we can see today. - the working class or laborers -received an hourly wage for their services -had no power and -allowed themselves to be exploited by the powerful The bourgeois and proletariat relationship is a struggle between
“The Haves” and “The Haves
not”. The boss/owner owns a bus company gets $400 of the total profit and the bus driver gets only $100.
By: Ms. Lea Tan - Serrano
Economic Determinist/Marxist Criticism The literature that emerged from this kind of analysis focuses on individuals in the grips of a class struggle. It emphasizes persons of the lower class and their constant oppression by the upper class. The poor may try to escape their situation but ultimately fall back under the ruthless dominion of the capitalist oppressor. Economic Determinism A doctrine that states that all cultural, social, political and intellectual activities are a product of economic organization of society. Proletarian Literature Emphasizes persons of the lower class- the poor and oppressed who spend their lives in endless drudgery and misery, and whose attempts to rise above their disadvantages usually result in renewed suppression. Heart of Darkness Kurtz and Marlow are the two main characters who have a low economic status. The reader views two different strategies at receiving economic success. However, neither plan works in the end. Heart of Darkness Marlow Marlow tries to receive economic success by playing “the system” and trying to get the most out of his opportunities. However, all his decisions are based on money. Heart of Darkness
Kurtz Kurtz on the other hand tries to receive economic success through force. His decisions, too, are based on money and changing his social class to better himself. Both characters represent the idea of Economic Determinism whereas neither character consciously thinks of money, the acquisition of wealth drives every decision for both characters.
By: Sir Xyric Jay Hugo
Marxism and Hegemony These critics also examined how ideology (basic beliefs and values) related to Hegemony – or the pervasive system of assumptions that shapes the perception of reality for people in a culture. In other words, how does a controlling class convince the working class that their way of life is in their best interest? The art of Soviet Russia reflected Marxist ideology. By: Ms. Hershey Joy Magarao Soviet Worker More Workers
By: Ms. Abigael Mojica
Battle Then and Now Strong Worker
By: Ms. Karen Nebreja
Anti-American Propaganda What is a PROPAGANDA? Propaganda is used to try to make people think a certain way. “Public Opinion Wins War” Dwight D. Eisenhower 34th U.S. President Economic Determinist/Marxist Criticism
Although implemented to a great degree in Soviet Russia (and to a lesser degree in other countries), Marx’s political ideas were never widely accepted in the United States. The idea of economic determinism is still considered credible. CAPITALISM VS. SLAVERY Marx and Engels predicted that the capitalist system, beginning as a series of national states, would create a world market.
By: Ms. Jhudeil Perrin
Economic Determinist/Marxist Critical Questions 1. What is the economic situation of the characters, and what happens to them as a result of this status? 2. To what extent are the lives of characters influenced or determined by social (i.e. how an individual is expected to behave in a given circumstance), political (i.e. the directives of the state), and economic (i.e. the interplay between production, supply, and demand) forces? 3. What social forces and institutions are represented in the work? 4. To what extent does the work overlook the economic, social, and political implications of its material? The Farmer’s Son ALFREDO NAVARRO SALONGA
There is great power in reason
It comes like so much rain Or like strong wind in a dry month
My father was bent
by work his shoulders were bend by words in a contract he never understood While I was still a young man he send me off to school and bid me walk with straight shoulders
Learn, he said learn words that you may pry off these letters that have made me old and bent I came back many years later with the words I knew he wanted but by then it was too late
I listened to him die with words: you are lucky to have learned words they will keep you from having bent shoulders By his deathbed I cried and spat out letter's while my shoulders bent with grief Economic Determinist/Marxist Critical Questions 1. What is the economic situation of the characters, and what happens to them as a result of this status? 2. To what extent are the lives of characters influenced or determined by social (i.e. how an individual is expected to behave in a given circumstance), political (i.e. the directives of the state), and economic (i.e. the interplay between production, supply, and demand) forces? 3. What social forces and institutions are represented in the work? 4. To what extent does the work overlook the economic, social, and political implications of its material?
