How to I apply Marxism to literature?

A Marxist critics' concern with a literary text, will be to examine the narrative and character's ways of getting and keeping economic power is the motive behind all social and political activities, including education, philosophy, religion, government, the arts, science, technology, the media, and so on. Marxism focuses on the relationship between the perceived lower working class of society or proletariat, also known as the Infrastructure, and the Superstructure, or upper class of society referred to as the bourgeoise in Karl Marx's (1818-83) discussions. A Marxist analysis of a text will explore the ways in which the ruling influencers of society can be said to oppress the lower class in some shape or form, while acting with their own interests. This includes the act of commodification and exploitation of the labour of the working class. A Marxist reading of The Great Gatsby may examine the ways in which Tom Buchanan's exploitation of George Wilson indicate the ‘surplus value’ whereby ‘the bourgeoise pockets the difference between what they pay their workers and the value of the goods produced by the workers’ (Moore, Aiken & Chapman, 2006). This can be seen when Tom appears to sell his car to George; ‘When are you going to sell me that car?’ ‘Next week; I’ve got my man working on it now.’ […] ‘maybe I’d better sell it somewhere else after all’ (p. 17) This passage demonstrates a scenario whereby the bourgeoise exercise control in their option of market, whilst determining the product value of one’s labour, a nuance that conveys from a Marxist perspective, the typical attitude of the bourgeoise who only acknowledge the proletariat as a tool to suit their interests.

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Answered by Thomas G. English Literature tutor

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