Marxist Literary Criticism

MARXIST
LITERARY
CRITICISM
ANGELICA P. JOVEN
Subject Teacher, 21st Century Literature
1. Define and explain Marxist
criticism and its key concepts.
LESSON
2. Analyze a narrative of class
OBJECTIV
struggle in a given text. ES
3. Write a critical analysis of the
reading text using the Marxist
literary criticism.
LITERARY
CRITICISM
LITERARY CRITICISM
“Literary criticism involves the reading,

interpretation, and commentary of a specific text
or texts which have been designated as literature.”
LITERARY CRITICISM
To take a critical eye or sharper look at
literature.
Focusing in on the literature and doing a

close reading in order to perform
criticism.
Let’s watch this
DO YOU HEAR THE PEOPLE SING?
The song is used in the 2012 Les Miserables which was set in 1832
France, a volatile period of French history that saw repeated
uprisings against an oppressive government, rampant class divide,
and social instability.
has become a protest anthem around the world. There is even a

Filipino version of this song, “Di niyo ba naririnig?”
Talks about oppression being received by the working class against

the ruling class.
The lyrics of the song has emotional sentiments, which is evident

on the line, “Do you hear the people sing? Singing the song of
angry men? It is the music of a people who will not be slaves
again!”
DO YOU HEAR THE PEOPLE SING?
Moreover, the chorus also illustrates the emotional intensity of
protesting: the people have to rise so that they “will not be slaves again”
to the injustice they experience.
“When the beating of your heart
Echoes the beating of the drums
There is a life about to start
When tomorrow comes!”
More importantly, the song emphasizes the importance of unity; once
people are united to fight against injustice, their created passion and strength
can never be extinguished.
1. What are the pictures all about?
2. What kind of discrimination is shown in the pictures?
3. What conclusions can be drawn from the pictures?
4. How does discrimination affect a person’s life?
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https://mooretoons.com/karl-marx/
1. What are the pictures all about?
In the first picture shown, the rich man weighs more than the members of the working
class combined in the weighing scale. It shows that the privileged or more superior class
rules more than the working class or the underprivileged.
In the second picture, there is a protest of the working class against the rich or the
privileged. The image of Karl Marx holding a book is also included the picture, it implies
that Karl Marx is also against the rule of the rich or the privileged.
2. What kind of discrimination is shown in the picture?

Discrimination of the poor. It goes to show how the working class or the underprivileged
are exploited by the rich.
3. What conclusions can be drawn from the pictures?
That the rich always exploits the working class. There is a huge
discrepancy with the benefits that the rich and the working class receive.
There is no fair treatment given to the underprivileged.
4. How does discrimination affect a person’s life?

Being discriminated by the society can ruin a person’s life. If a person is
not treated fairly by the people around him, then there is no guarantee that
his life will be of enjoyed fairly.
- Karl Marx (1818-1883) – German
political thinker who wrote about
economics and politics.
- Most notable work is The Communist

Manifesto (1848)
KARL MARX
 In it, Marx and co-author Friedrich
Engels argue that all of history is about
the struggle between the haves and
have-nots.
 They predicted that one day, the have-
nots will throw off the oppression of
the haves or those with means and
power.
- If a place works together; runs on
wage- labor, then there would always
be a class struggle
- Focused on the struggle between
capitalists and working class
- Conflict would immediately lead to a
revolution in which the working class
would overthrow the capitalist class
and seize control of the economy
MARX’S VIEWS
- If the working class makes itself the
ruling class, and destroys the basis for
class society, there will be a
“classless society”
- There is no government anymore.
- Those who own property and means of
production are the bourgeoisie while
the working class is called the
proletariat
MARX’S VIEWS
CLASS STRUCTURE OF
SOCIETY
 Those in the top class control the wealth,
and those in the lower class do most of the
work that produces the wealth = exploitation
 This exploitation is the basis of class conflict
 Historical examples of class conflict i.e.
slave vs slave holder, feudal lord vs peasant
 Capitalists (bourgeoisie) vs workers
(proletariat) are Marx’s focus
 Bourgeoisie alienates proletariat
MARXIST A loose term describing literary criticism
CRITICISM based on socialist and dialectic theories.
Tend to focus on the representation of class
conflict as well as the reinforcement of class
distinctions.
MARXIST
CRITICISM
Champions authors sympathetic
to the working classes and
authors whose work challenges
economic equalities found in
capitalist societies.
MARXIST
CRITICISM Marxist criticism is concerned with
differences between economic classes &
implications of capitalist system, such as the
continuing conflicts between the working class
and the elite. The common aspects looked
into when using Marxist criticism are as
follows:
• Social class as represented in the work
• Social class of the writer /creator
• Social class of the characters
• Conflicts and interactions between economic
classes
MARXISM IN LITERATURE
MARXIST
CRITICISM
THE SIMPLEST GOAL OF MARXIST
LITERARY CRITICISM :
1. The assessment of political “tendency” of a

literary work, determining whether its social
content or its literary form are progressive.
2. Analyzing the class constructs
demonstrated in the literature.
How to use Marxism in Analyzing
Literary text?
 There is no prescribed structure in writing Marxist analysis of
literature, but the following parts are almost always present.
 INTRODUCTION:
 a. Title of the book/article/work
 b. Writer’s Name
 c. Thesis statement
How to use Marxism in
Analyzing Literary text?
BODY:
a. Major findings, claims, ideas, or messages
b. You may address the following questions:
❖ 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?
❖ What values does it subvert?
❖ What conflict can be seen between the values the work champions and those it portrays?
❖ What social classes do the characters represent?
❖ How do characters from different classes interact or conflict?
How to use Marxism in Analyzing Literary
text?
CONCLUSION:
a. overall impression of the work

b. Scholarly or literary value of the reading text
Short Activity
 Analyze this popular children’s rhyme using the Marxist Approach.
 Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, baker man;
 Bake me a cake as fast as you can;
 Pat it and roll it, and mark it with a “B”
 Put it in the oven for baby and me.

8 6 4 2
INTRODUCTION AND There is a well-defined Introduction creates interest. Introduction adequately Background details are not
CONCLUSION introduction which grabs the Thesis states the position, explains the background or clear. Thesis is vague,
reader’s interest. The thesis Conclusion effectively context. Thesis states the Conclusion is not effective and
statement is clearly stated and summarizes the topic topic, but key elements are does not summarize main
the conclusion wraps up and missing. points.
emphasizes the importance of
the essay.
MAIN POINTS AND Well-developed main points / Three or more main points Three or more main points are Less than three ideas/main
CONTENT topic sentences that relate relate to the thesis, but some present but lack details in points are explained and/or
directly to the thesis. may lack details. The describing the ideas in support they are poorly developed.
Supporting examples are analysis presents ideas from of the marxist approach
concrete and detailed. The the author’s point of view but
analysis is developed using could use more elaboration
the feminist approach. through the Marxist
approach.
ORGANIZATION Logical progression of ideas Logical progression of ideas Organization is clear. Writing is not organized. The
with clear structure. with clear structure. Transitions are present at transitions between
Transitions are effective and Transitions are effective and times, but there is very little paragraphs are unclear.
vary throughout the essay. vary throughout the essay but variety.
lacks variety.
STYLE Writing is smooth, skillful and Writing is clear and Writing is clear, but could use a Writing is confusing and hard
coherent. Sentences are sentences have varied little more sentence variety to to follow. Contains fragments
strong and expressive with structure. Diction is make the writing more and/or run-on sentences.
varied structure. consistent. interesting.
MECHANICS Punctuation, spelling, and Punctuation, spelling, and There are only a few errors in Distracting errors in
capitalization are all correct. capitalization are generally punctuation, spelling, and punctuation spelling, and
No errors. correct with few errors. (1-5) capitalization. (6- 10) capitalization
EXPLANATION
In the first line, you will notice that that the rich man owns a bakeshop
and has a baker. Going on in the next line, you will notice that the baker
is instructed to bake a cake as fast as he can.
This reflects the ideology of those in the working class should serve
them as fast as they could. The ruling class believe that the baker should
bake for them to save them from all the inconveniences. Unfortunately,
the baker, typical member of the working class faithfully serves the ruling
class all his life.
THINGS TO REMEMBER:
 Marxist Criticism focuses on the representation of class conflict as well as the
reinforcement of class distinctions. Champions authors sympathetic to the working
classes and authors whose work challenges economic equalities found in capitalist
societies. The common aspects looked into when using Marxist criticism are as follows:
 • Social class as represented in the work
 • Social class of the writer /creator
 • Social class of the characters
 • Conflicts and interactions between economic classes
 In order to analyze the text using the Marxist lens, we should assess the political tendency
of the text and determine whether its social content or its literary form are progressive. We
should also assess the class construct demonstrated in the literary text.
MULTIPLE CHOICE TEST
1. It considers material possessions and physical comfort

as more important than spiritual values.
a. Ideology c. Marxist
b. Materialism d. Class struggle
2. It teaches that literature must be understood in relation

to historical and social reality as
interpreted from a Marxist standpoint.
a. Class struggle c. Ideology
b. Equality d. Marxist Criticism
3. It refers to worker’s uprising

a. Worker’s Revolt c. Classless Society
b. Capitalism d. Materialism
4. A hierarchical society in which social classes have

been abolished
a. Classless Society c. Marxist
b. Equality d. Working Class
5. The struggle for political and economic power carried

on between capitalists and workers
a. Worker’s Revolt c. Classless Society
b. Class Struggle d. Materialism
6. An economic system based on the private ownership

of the means of production and their operation for profit.
a. Marxism c. Capitalism
b. Equality d. Ideology
7. A socioeconomic term used to describe persons in a

social class marked by jobs that provide low pay, require
limited skill, or physical labor.
a. Working Class c. Class Struggle
b. Capitalism d. Materialism
8. A system of ideas and ideals, especially one which

forms the basis of economic or political theory and policy
a. Ideology c. Equality
b. Materialism d. Worker’s Revolt
9. The major struggle of Marxism

a. Materialism c. Equality
b. Capitalism d. Classless Society
10. The study, evaluation, and interpretation of literature.

a. Literary Critic c. Literary Criticism
b. Literary Theory d. Literary History
MULTIPLE CHOICE TEST ANSWERS
1. B
2. C
3. C
4. A
5. A
6. B
7. C
8. B
9. A
10. C
ASSIGNMENT
Read the short story, My Father Goes to Court by Carlos Bulusan. Then, answer the following
questions in a form of an essay (rubric will be provided):
1. How do the characters from the different classes interact?
2. What social classes do the characters represent?
3. Pick out scenes or incidents described in the story which reflect the social reality and economic life
of the people. What problems do they represent?
4. Does the work remind you of other things you have experienced, watched or read before?
5. How can you relate the story with Marxism?
Read about Critical Race Theory and list down its basic concepts. Write your answers on a separate
sheet of paper.
THANK YOU! 

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MARXIST

“Literary criticism involves the reading,

Focusing in on the literature and doing a

has become a protest anthem around the world. There is even a

Talks about oppression being received by the working class against

The lyrics of the song has emotional sentiments, which is evident

2. What kind of discrimination is shown in the picture?

4. How does discrimination affect a person’s life?

- Most notable work is The Communist

1. The assessment of political “tendency” of a

a. overall impression of the work

 Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, baker man;

 Bake me a cake as fast as you can;

 Pat it and roll it, and mark it with a “B”

 Put it in the oven for baby and me.

 • Social class as represented in the work

 • Social class of the writer /creator

 • Social class of the characters

 • Conflicts and interactions between economic classes

1. It considers material possessions and physical comfort

2. It teaches that literature must be understood in relation

3. It refers to worker’s uprising

4. A hierarchical society in which social classes have

5. The struggle for political and economic power carried

6. An economic system based on the private ownership

7. A socioeconomic term used to describe persons in a

8. A system of ideas and ideals, especially one which

9. The major struggle of Marxism

10. The study, evaluation, and interpretation of literature.

2. What social classes do the characters represent?

5. How can you relate the story with Marxism?

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