Marxism PDF

Marxism  Historical Development Begin in the 19th century as a pragmatic view of history that offered the working classes of society an opportunity to change their world It offered humanity a social, political, economic, and cultural understanding of the nature of reality, society and th...

Marxism  Historical Development Begin in the 19th century as a pragmatic view of history that offered the working classes of society an opportunity to change their world It offered humanity a social, political, economic, and cultural understanding of the nature of reality, society and the individual.  Karl Marx Root of Marxist literary theory Born in Tier, Germany in 1818 His writings became the basis of Marxism Approach. Died on 14 March 1883  Marxism Our place in the society determine our consciousness study the relationship between a text and the society that reads it. focuses on class relations and societal conflict People’s experiences are responsible for shaping and developing an individual personal’s consciousness  Marxism An individual's social position, role, or status significantly influences their thoughts, beliefs, values, and awareness. It implies that the environment in which a person lives, including their social class, occupation, and the community they belong to, shapes how they perceive the world and understand themselves and others. Example: a person in a working-class position might have a different consciousness (understanding of society and their role in it) than someone in an upper-class position, leading to different perspectives on issues like inequality, justice, and power.  Marxism For example, someone who grows up in a supportive and loving environment might develop a consciousness that values trust and empathy. On the other hand, someone who has faced hardship or discrimination may develop a consciousness that is more attuned to issues of justice and inequality. Essentially, our experiences serve as the building blocks for how we think, feel, and understand the world around us.  The German Ideology Marx declares that “consciousness does not determine life: life determines consciousness.” Humans define themselves. He said that our ideas and concepts about ourselves fashioned in everyday discourse in the language of real life.  The German Ideology It emphasizes personal responsibility and the idea that we are not solely shaped by external circumstances, but have the agency to create our own meaning and purpose in life. Example: Consider a person who grew up in a community where most people work in manual labor. Despite societal expectations, this person decides they want to pursue higher education and become a doctor. By making this choice, they are defining themselves as someone who values education and wants to contribute to society through medicine, rather than simply following the path laid out by their environment.  Dialectical Materialism Core belief of Marxism Marx believed that society had progressed from one economic system to another. As society progresses from a feudal system to a more market-based economy, the actual process from producing, distributing, and consuming goods becomes more complex. People’s functions within the economic system become differentiated.  Dialectical Materialism One of the most cited examples is the transition from feudalism to capitalism: Feudalism was an economic system where land was the primary source of wealth, and society was structured around landowners (nobility) and serfs (peasants). As trade and industry developed, a new class, the bourgeoisie (capitalists), emerged, creating a contradiction between the old feudal system and the new economic forces. The resulting conflicts (e.g., revolutions, economic shifts) eventually led to the decline of feudalism and the rise of capitalism, a system based on industrial production and private ownership.  Two economic forms of Society Base-People’s functions within the economic system become differentiated. Superstructure-All social and legal institutions, political and educational systems, religions, and art "We rule you" – The elite at the top control political power. "We fool you" – The clergy or religious leaders reinforce the system. "We shoot at you" – The military and police enforce control. "We feed all" – The workers support the entire system through their labor.