Marxist or Social Class Theory as applied to American Literature

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Marxist or Social Class Theory as applied to
American Literature

• Critical Theory 1 English 11 Honors

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Karl Marx

• German philosopher economist
• Points out inconsistencies in our society when it
  comes to economics

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Marxist Analysis of Human Interaction

• Focuses on relationships among socio-economic
  classes
• He splits the classes into the haves and the
  have-nots
• Haves or bourgeoisie? control natural, economic,
  and human resources
• Have-nots or proletariat? majority of global
  population who live in substandard conditions and
  perform manual labor

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Americas class system according to Marx

• Homeless, the poor, the financially established,
  the well-to-do, and the extremely wealthy
• Homeless and poor are economically oppressed
• Financially established are economically
  oppressed AND established (ex never own a
  mansion, tax burdens, etc.)

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Marx believes

• The proletariat (have- nots) will one day develop
  class consciousness and rise up in violent
  revolution against their oppressors and create a
  classless society.

• Class consciousness become aware of the false
  ideologies oppressing you

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The Key

• Become Aware of False Ideologies Helping Those In
  Power

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Beliefs (or ideologies) that Serve to Support
Those in Power

• Classism- ones value as a human being is equated
  with the social class one belongs. People at the
  top are better.
• Marx disagrees because
• Rugged individualism- romanticizes the individual
  who strikes out in pursuit of a goal not easily
  achieved (can be high risk)
• Ex High risk business or journey for oil
• Marx disagrees because

• American Dream- financial success is simply the
  product of initiative and hard work.
• Marx disagrees because
• That would mean the poor are lazy.

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Continued

• Consumerism- you get power from buying things
  even if you cant afford it.
• Marx disagrees because
• Haves benefit (like credit card companies) and
  the lower class goes into debt

• Capitalism-means of production are privately
  owned and operated for private profit.
• Marx disagrees because
• Poor is used for the rich to get ahead. Low
  wages OR eventually removed all together for
  technology

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What does Marxist Theory State

• Getting and keeping economic power is the motive
  behind all social and political activities
• Can be applied to education, philosophy,
  religion, government, technology, media, etc.
• Economic power includes social and political
  power
• Economic condition how much you have to show for
  it materially

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Marx on Literature

• Literature is reflective of the real and
  historical conditions of the time period it is
  trying to convey

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How can you apply this to Death of a Salesman?

• Think about it.

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A Marxist Look at Death of a Salesman

• The ideologies of the Loman family---
• The American Dream that tells Willy his
  self-worth is earned only by economic success
  (ex Ben)
• The Consumerism that keeps the Lomans buying on
  credit they cant afford
• Survival of the fittest capitalism that allows
  Howard to fire Willy with no concern for Willys
  deteriorating mental state

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Continued

• The travesty of a socioeconomic system (Howards
  company) that doesnt require adequate pension
  coverage for its employees
• Bens rugged individualism is romanticized in
  Willys mind. He went into the jungle and came
  out rich.

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Questions to help with a Marxist reading

1. Does the piece of literature (intentionally or
   not) reinforce/support capitalist or classist
   values? How?
2. Does the work critique capitalism or classism?
   In other words, in what ways does the text invite
   the reader to condemn oppressive socioeconomic
   forces?
3. How does the work reflect (intentionally or not)
   the socioeconomic conditions of the time period
   it is set or written?
4. What does the piece reveal about class struggle?

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The Great Gatsby Social Ladder of Power
Tom Buchanan
Daisy Buchanan
Jay Gatsby
Nick Carraway
George Wilson
Myrtle Wilson