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“Art is always and everywhere the secret confession, and at the same time the immortal movement of its time” (“Karl Marx Quotes”). This quote by Karl Marx is the basis for the interpretive literary criticism called Marxist criticism. Karl Marx was a German philosopher who lived in the 1800s. He is often referred to as the “father of communism.” Marx believed that everything in society, including literature, is a reflection of the class struggle that exists between the wealthy bourgeoisie and the working class, or the proletariat (“Marxist Criticism”). At first glance, Pietro di Donato, an Italian-American author and bricklayer born in West Hoboken, New Jersey in 1911 may not seem to have a lot in common with Karl Marx (Severo). However, Di Donato's social, economic, and political struggles to succeed in America in the early 1900s are echoed in many of his novels and short stories; which makes …show more content…
In the novel Christ in Concrete, di Donato expresses his outrage and disillusionment with America's oppressive political and economic systems which only benefit the rich and leave the working class …show more content…
Karl Marx believed that capitalism is unfair to the lower classes because the only ones to benefit in this type of system are the bourgeoisie (Marx). Di Donato uses Christ In Concrete to show the exploitation of immigrant workers who come to America in pursuit of a better life, only to be taken advantage of by a cruel capitalist society that does not pay workers a livable wage or provide safe working conditions. Di Donato includes many examples of unsafe working conditions; including being forced to work in wet, slippery conditions which result in Luigi's fall (47); working in freezing temperatures (154-155), and working with a violent supervisor (217). However, the description of Geremio's death is so disturbing and violent, the reader has no option but to be outraged . Geremio complaines numerous times to his boss, Mister Murdin,
“Art is always and everywhere the secret confession, and at the same time the immortal movement of its time” (“Karl Marx Quotes”). This quote by Karl Marx is the basis for the interpretive literary criticism called Marxist criticism. Karl Marx was a German philosopher who lived in the 1800s. He is often referred to as the “father of communism.” Marx believed that everything in society, including literature, is a reflection of the class struggle that exists between the wealthy bourgeoisie and the working class, or the proletariat (“Marxist Criticism”). At first glance, Pietro di Donato, an Italian-American author and bricklayer born in West Hoboken, New Jersey in 1911 may not seem to have a lot in common with Karl Marx (Severo). However, Di Donato's social, economic, and political struggles to succeed in America in the early 1900s are echoed in many of his novels and short stories; which makes …show more content…
In the novel Christ in Concrete, di Donato expresses his outrage and disillusionment with America's oppressive political and economic systems which only benefit the rich and leave the working class …show more content…
Karl Marx believed that capitalism is unfair to the lower classes because the only ones to benefit in this type of system are the bourgeoisie (Marx). Di Donato uses Christ In Concrete to show the exploitation of immigrant workers who come to America in pursuit of a better life, only to be taken advantage of by a cruel capitalist society that does not pay workers a livable wage or provide safe working conditions. Di Donato includes many examples of unsafe working conditions; including being forced to work in wet, slippery conditions which result in Luigi's fall (47); working in freezing temperatures (154-155), and working with a violent supervisor (217). However, the description of Geremio's death is so disturbing and violent, the reader has no option but to be outraged . Geremio complaines numerous times to his boss, Mister Murdin,