In this essay I will discuss Marxism and the limitations of early Marxist theories with regards to literature. This will be done by referring to the works of Tsitsi Dangaremba’s “Nervous Conditions” and Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice”.
Karl Marx was of opinion that human interactions are economically driven and that there is a constant struggle for power between the different social classes. Marxism can be referred to a as a conflict theory because it focusses on the contradictions and tensions created between the bourgeoisie (dominant and exploitive class) and proletariat (wage-earning working class) because of the difference in social and economic class (Abrams 2005:156). Therefore, Marxist literary critics tend to look for tensions …show more content…
This was a time during which the patriarchal system featured strongly in Britain. Class and social standing played a significant role in society. These features are predominant in Austen’s novels. She accurately paints a picture of the predicament women found themselves in. Women were not allowed to pursue academic careers, and had little choice but to marry in order to uphold any social standing. These women were also dependent on the males in their lives as they could make no claim to their finances. They were not simply expected to marry, but also to marry men with a good income. When Mr Darcy comes to visit the Bingley’s rumours start spreading and the characters mention on several occasions that he earns a very good income of ten thousand pounds a year, whereas Mr Bingley only earns five thousand pounds a …show more content…
These approaches undeniably focus more on extrinsic features than the intrinsic features. However, in order to come to the best analysis of a text a reader needs to take all aspects into consideration. According to Northover (2015:56) capitalism has also not led to an increasing conflict between the upper and middle classes, because the worker can resist capitalism.
In conclusion it is undeniable that despite criticism against the ideology, Marxism plays a significant role in literature. It influences not only the writer, but also the reader. It allows the writer the opportunity to capture a version of his reality. Likewise it permits the reader to have insight into particular social, economic, religious and political issues at various points in history. It is therefore very valuable to literary theorists to study literature with the help of Marxism, because human beings do not write in a vacuum. They are social creatures who are influenced by the world around
Karl Marx was of opinion that human interactions are economically driven and that there is a constant struggle for power between the different social classes. Marxism can be referred to a as a conflict theory because it focusses on the contradictions and tensions created between the bourgeoisie (dominant and exploitive class) and proletariat (wage-earning working class) because of the difference in social and economic class (Abrams 2005:156). Therefore, Marxist literary critics tend to look for tensions …show more content…
This was a time during which the patriarchal system featured strongly in Britain. Class and social standing played a significant role in society. These features are predominant in Austen’s novels. She accurately paints a picture of the predicament women found themselves in. Women were not allowed to pursue academic careers, and had little choice but to marry in order to uphold any social standing. These women were also dependent on the males in their lives as they could make no claim to their finances. They were not simply expected to marry, but also to marry men with a good income. When Mr Darcy comes to visit the Bingley’s rumours start spreading and the characters mention on several occasions that he earns a very good income of ten thousand pounds a year, whereas Mr Bingley only earns five thousand pounds a …show more content…
These approaches undeniably focus more on extrinsic features than the intrinsic features. However, in order to come to the best analysis of a text a reader needs to take all aspects into consideration. According to Northover (2015:56) capitalism has also not led to an increasing conflict between the upper and middle classes, because the worker can resist capitalism.
In conclusion it is undeniable that despite criticism against the ideology, Marxism plays a significant role in literature. It influences not only the writer, but also the reader. It allows the writer the opportunity to capture a version of his reality. Likewise it permits the reader to have insight into particular social, economic, religious and political issues at various points in history. It is therefore very valuable to literary theorists to study literature with the help of Marxism, because human beings do not write in a vacuum. They are social creatures who are influenced by the world around