Show how literary criticism and theory have developed a materialistic dimension basedon Marxism. IGNOU

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QUESTION:Show how literary criticism and theory have developed a materialistic dimension based
on Marxism.

ANSWER:

Development of Materialistic Dimension in Literary Criticism Based on Marxism:

  1. Historical Materialism:
  • Theory: Karl Marx’s historical materialism posits that material conditions and economic factors shape society, culture, and history.
  • Application: Literary critics began analyzing texts by considering the socio-economic contexts in which they were written. They explored how literature reflects, reinforces, or critiques the prevailing economic and class structures.
  1. Class Struggle:
  • Theory: Marx emphasized the ongoing conflict between different classes, particularly the bourgeoisie (owners) and the proletariat (workers).
  • Application: Critics examined how literature portrays class struggles, power dynamics, and social inequalities. They investigated how characters, themes, and narratives represent or challenge class interests.
  1. Ideology:
  • Theory: Marx argued that the ruling class’s ideas become the dominant ideology, perpetuating their control.
  • Application: Literary critics analyzed texts to uncover hidden ideological messages and how they serve or subvert dominant power structures. They explored how literature can either perpetuate or resist ideological control.
  1. Alienation:
  • Theory: Marx described alienation as the separation of individuals from their work, products, and fellow humans under capitalism.
  • Application: Critics explored themes of alienation in literature, examining characters’ estrangement from society, labor, and themselves. They connected these themes to broader economic and social contexts.
  1. Economic Determinism:
  • Theory: Marx suggested that economic factors fundamentally determine societal structures and human experiences.
  • Application: Literary critics studied how economic conditions shape characters’ lives, motivations, and relationships. They analyzed how literature reflects economic realities and challenges capitalist ideologies.
  1. Revolution and Change:
  • Theory: Marx believed in the possibility of revolutionary change and the eventual overthrow of capitalism.
  • Application: Critics looked for revolutionary potential in literature, identifying works that inspire social change, challenge the status quo, and envision alternative futures.

Key Figures and Texts:

  • György Lukács: His work on realism and reification in literature emphasized the role of literature in reflecting social realities.
  • Terry Eagleton: A prominent Marxist critic who explored the relationship between literature, ideology, and power.
  • Raymond Williams: His cultural materialism connected literature to broader cultural and historical contexts.

Marxist literary criticism has expanded to include various approaches, such as feminist Marxism, postcolonial Marxism, and eco-Marxism, each bringing new dimensions to the analysis of literature through a materialist lens.

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