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Marxist Theory in Hard Times (Coketown) and Watercress Girl
These two works may both be looked at from a Marxist point of view in finding explanation for the authors' purpose in putting pen to paper. When using a Marxist approach to analyzing literature we must bear in mind several key terms. As we look at these texts we must bear in mind what the bourgeoisie is; this is the upper or ruling class of a society. They are in place to rule due to their control over the "base, or the economic means of production" (Bressler 212). Because the have control over the base the bourgeoisie will, "consciously and unconsciously force" their "ideology" on the proletariat, or working class. The ideology referred to is the beliefs, values, and art of a society. When analyzing Coketown and Watercress Girl we can see definite influence on the ideologies of the proletariat by the bourgeoisie conveyed in the text.
In Watercress Girl we have several excellent examples of the forced ideologies. When interviewing the young girl, Henry Mayhew, recorded statements like, "although only eight years of age, had entirely lost all childish ways, and was, indeed, in thoughts and manner, a woman" (1838). In this case we have an eight-year-old girl forced into womanhood because of the economic conditions of the time. Even though this child lived with her mother who was a seamstress she was still forced to work as a street vendor of "watercress" (1339). Evidence of this life missing state of the young girl can be seen in the statement, "We children never play down there, cos [because] we're thinking of our living"(Mayhew 1389). Here we have a statement made by a young girl admitting that she cannot play because of the necessity or her working to live.
One might ask what does that have to do with the bourgeoisie and its control over ideology? If we look at the young girls statements closely we may see underlying meanings. This young girl is missing out on her childhood; a time when she is supposed to be learning values that only her parents can supply. These values that she should be learning at home from her parents are now being instilled by values learned on the street attempting to make a living. When the girl says, "we never goes [go] home to breakfast till we've sold out" (Mayhew 1839).
This economic study will define the dilution and variability of Marxist and Neo-Marxist Theory in the post-WWII era. The slow dilution of Marxist theory as a 19th century economic concept defines the rise of capitalism and the neoliberal ideology that has permeated the latter half of the 20th century. The fall of communism in the late 1980s reveals the bankruptcy of communism as a state ideology in the U.S.S.R., especially after the Unite States and other first world nations triumphed through the neoliberal capitalist ideology of the 1990s and into the 21st century. More so, the dilution of Marxism also occurs in the increasing cultural and social abstractions of Marxist ideology that stray from the objective “materialism” of traditional Marxist analysis, which shows a moderate rationalization for capitalism in the Neo-Marxist theory of social and cultural factors in 20th century economics. Various institutions and Neo-Marxists theorists, such as Max Weber and Antonio Gramsci, tend to moderate the effect
...hetypes of these primary characters, both of these novels make a parallel statement on feminism. The expectations of both themselves and society greatly determine the way that these women function in their families and in other relationships. Looking at the time periods in which these novels were written and take place, it is clear that these gender roles greatly influence whether a female character displays independence or dependence. From a contemporary viewpoint, readers can see how these women either fit or push the boundaries of these expected gender roles.
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In the beginning of both of the pieces of literature, the main character(s) have not had the experience that will shape their values yet. Rather, as time moves forward in the stories, the
This essay has compared the differences between the societies in these two novels. There is one great similarity however that both make me thankful for having been born into a freethinking society where a person can be truly free. Our present society may not be truly perfect, but as these two novels show, it could be worse.
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Of Mice and Men is a book that can be viewed through many filters depending on how the reader decides to take the novel. While all of these filters can be argued by readers, no one can deny the fact that the most obvious theme in the story is the quest for money, and the struggle between the classes. This means that this book is very easily viewed though a Marxist lens. This book strictly fits into the Marxist belief that “ideas are the outcome of social conditions and relationships” (Curtis). Of Mice and Men is a lesson on Marxism and communism, and displays the intensity of the ongoing struggle between the proletariat and the bourgeoisie.
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While literary critics do attempt to elaborate or develop ideas articulated by Karl Marx, it is important and necessary to make a distinction between Marx's specific socio-economic and political agenda and the body of literary theory which emerged years later. Marxist literary criticism proceeds from the fundamental philosophical assumption that "consciousness can never be anything else than conscious existence...Life is not determined by consciousness, but consciousness by life" (Marx 568-9). Marxist critics use this challenge to the notion of an innate, prefigured, individual human nature to reexamine the nature of creative or literary authority.
Aldous Huxley’s novel takes place in London in a world where humans are developed through tubes, put into social categories, and conditioned to feel and go through the same experiences. The members of this society are forced to learn these habits at a young age and continue them until death. A drug called “soma” exists to serve as a relaxer if they ever feel an emotion other than happiness. Many characters are introduced in this novel, including a “savage” who disagrees with the ideology of the world and rebels against all that they stand for. The novel, Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley, reveals throughout the novel that because of the caste system, people are treated different, given various duties, and are placed on a spectrum; all for the purpose of maintaining the stability of the society.
One of the most important parts when using a Marxist perspective to examine a piece of literature is the investigation of the various social classes that exist within the writing. Doing so enables the reader to achieve a more globalized perspective on the story, with factors such as economic advantages and hierarchical relations being taken into consideration. The social classes that are represented in Kate Chopin’s The Awakening are the Bourgeoisie, who control every aspect of society, and the Proletariat, whose oppression supports the lifestyles of the elite.
The social status of women in class has always been considered a controversial topic. The transformation in the status of women has overcome drastic changes throughout the years. Women have experienced a series of events to be in the position that we are at today. In The book, 1984 written by George Orwell, their society is ruled by “Big Brother” and also by the ministries of love, peace and plenty. In this utopian society there is a Junior Anti-Sex League, members wore a narrow scarlet sash around their waist to show that they were part of the league. Women played a key role in serving as examples to demonstrate how the lives of women could have been back then. George Orwell states in the book “The only recognized purpose of marriage was to beget children for the service of the party.” (pg.65) Women also played the role of useless and wanting sexual affection from males. Mrs. Parsons is looked as useless when she goes to Winston for help about her sink. Julia, part of the Anti-Sex League, was seemed as a rebel for sleeping with multiple men from the party. In today’s
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