Marxist Lens

The Marxist Lens

The Marxist Lens is a literary theory that:

• Focuses on class conflict and distinctions
• Considers social and political meaning
• Often champions supporters of the working class
• Tries to understand the relationship between economic and/or social development and literature
• Tends to take away from the deeper meaning of literature and views it as a product of work

So, what exactly does that mean for readers? Let's go visit our nonresident expert, the Fabulously Frumpled Frankie! (aka Kelsey).

End of the world

Reader Focus

• Overarching ideologies which influence our own social realities

• Ways texts can be socially constucted

• Critical social encounters (economics / class)

Now, check out these next two pictures!

All of this is fine and dandy, but where exactly does the Marxist Lens come from? Let's see what our third expert, Taylor the Terrific, has to say on the matter.

Origins

The Marxist Lens was born...

• In the mind and ideas of Karl Marx
• A belief (from Marxism) that everything is influenced by social behavior

Hoorah for origins! But enough of that; it's time to get practical! Hailie the...err...hApplication master shall broaden your understanding.

Examples

Savage Inequalities

• Focused on class division in education specifically
• Interviewed students and adults about cultural influence on living/education/working
• Takes the perspective that politics/culture/economy have the largest influence on children’s education, and therefore on their lives

Hunger of Memory

Memoir about effects of class/race/immigration on desire/education/family life

Richard Rodriguez claims that his ethnicity played a very influential role in his adulthood and identity

Glass Castle

• The parents’ choice to live in impoverished conditions made their children self-reliant
• They were most often shaped by experiences with hunger and danger

My Friend Leonard

• Contrasts the attitudes and behaviors of the wealthy (Leonard) and the desolate (James Frey)
• Also showed people who will become violent for money (Leonard’s bodyguard Snapper)

Poisonwood Bible

• Shows the struggle between African and American culture
• Family dynamics are analyzed
• Examples of racism

In conclusion...

• the marxist lens promotes objective criticism
• however, it is biased and...
• often puts social meaning above true literary meaning

Well, wasn't that entertaining? I hope you've all had a FABULOUS journey through the Edusphere, learning about the Marxist Lens! I invite you all to browse our wonderful bibliography on your way out.

Bibliography

Conway, Stephen. "Marxist Literary Criticism." N.p., 1996. Web. 11 Apr. 2011.

Delahoyde, Michael. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Apr. 2011. <http://www.wsu.edu/~delahoyd/marxist.crit.html>.

Holcombe, John. marxist views of literature. N.p., 2007. Web. 12 Apr. 2011. <http://www.textetc.com/theory/marxist-views.html>.

N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Apr. 2011. <http://bsdweb.bsdvt.org/~jfletcher/pdfs/10th%20Grade/To%20Kill%20a%20Mockingbird/marxistliterarycriticism.pdf>.

Right-Wind Agenda. Blogspot, 22 Nov. 2010. Google Images. Web. 12 Apr. 2011. <http://rightwingagenda.blogspot.com/2010/11/karl-marx-would-be-tickled-pink-if-he.html>.

trcs - social classes. Wikispaces, 2011. Google Images. Web. 12 Apr. 2011. <http://trcs.wikispaces.com/social+classes>.

virtuaLit: Critical Approaches. Bedford Books, 1998. Web. 12 Apr. 2011. <http://bcs.bedfordstmartins.com/virtualit/poetry/critical_define/crit_marx.html>.

<insert polite applause here>

Great Scott, I must have overshot! Hold on a second.

Now, Wasn't that fascinating? In order to further your understanding, I shall now show you a picture of what social class is!

wikispaces.com

Whoopsie, not quite far enough.

THIS Marxist Lens!!!

Now, please listen as our resident expert, Sir Stephen, reveals to you exactly what the Marxist Lens is.

Image: wikispaces.com

You see, these are no mere pictures of a family sitting around the television and a couple of kids smiling at you, but a comparison between the cozy middle class life and the destitution of Africa's poor, with an implication that something is wrong in this comparison. Wow! You've just gazed through a MARXIST LENS!

Definition.

Image: wikispaces.com

No, no, no! Not THAT

Marxist Lens!

There we go.

Fin.

Hi Kids! I'm the Nameless

Unrecognizable Critter who's going to take you on a magical adventure in the Edusphere! Let's teleport over and see what all this excitement's about!!!