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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