You deadline for MARXISM is Jan 12th
Today use the Marxist lens questions to plan your response and identify key quotations
Questions for Analysis - use to guide annotation
• Is there an outright rejection of socialism in the work?
• Does the text raise fundamental criticism about the emptiness of life in bourgeoisie society?
• In portraying society, what approximation of totality does the author achieve? What is emphasized, what is ignored? Why?
• How well is the fate of the individual linked organically to the nature of societal forces?
• At what points are actions or solutions to problems forced or unreal?
• Are the characters from all social levels equally well sketched?
• What are the values of each class in the work?
• What is valued most? Sacrifice? Assent? Resistance? Individuality?
• How clearly do narratives of disillusionment and defeat indicate that bourgeoisie values—competition, acquisitiveness, chauvinism—are incompatible with human happiness?
• Does the protagonist defend or defect from the dominant values of society? Are those values in ascendancy or decay?
Questions Raised By the Marxist Literary Lens - use to structure response
— How does the author’s social and economic class show through the work?
— Does the work support the economic and social status quo, or does it advocate change?
— What role does the class system play in the work?
— What role does class play in the work?
— What is the author’s analysis of class relations?
— Do characters overcome oppression? What’s the impact of this?
— What does the work say about oppression; or are social conflicts ignored or blamed elsewhere?
— Does the work propose some form of utopian vision as a solution to the problems encountered in the work?
— In what ways does the work serve as propaganda?
— Does the literature reflect the author’s own class or analysis of class relations?
