Marxist Literary Theory

Marxism was a Russian movement based on writings and theory (a doctrine) by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. Known is marxism-leninism as a connection with V. I. Lenin.

Karl Marx (1818 - 1883) - the (co-)author of Communist manifesto and Capital - which was not completed.

He divided society into two social classes based on the relationship to the ownership of the means of production - bourgeoisie and proletariat. Bourgeoisie owns the means of production whereas the proletariat only uses them. By means of production we understand the land and the buildings (possessions). Marx criticizes the unequal position of the two classes which he sees as an exploitation. This unequal situation (according to him) leads to a class fight and results in the revolution of the proletariat. After this, classless society is introduced.

The theory of marxism and leninism led to the introduction of communism in the Czech lands in the second half of the 20th century. Not many people understand the theory of marxism and leninism but they (especially the older Czech generation who experienced the regime) know that communism is definitely not the regime they and their children (us) want to live.

The Marxist literary theory

We talk about the presence of marxist thoughts in literature. Connected with the creation of the Soviet Union in 1922.

In the 1920s in Russia there was a dispute between the Russian marxists and formalists. Marxists wanted literature to be subordinate to the social situation and they wanted literature to be accessible to the masses (i.e. socialist realism) whereas formalists claimed that literature should be independent to social situation, they emphasized artistic individualism (i.e. modernist approach and avant garde orientation).

In the 1930s in the Soviet Union the marxist literary theory was dogmatized - the artistic individualism was suppressed.

After WWII:

Frankfurt School = neo marxism or the western marxism (in Germany) - stood against the traditional eastern marxism - they wanted the opposite - the opportunity to break free from the ideology (criticism of the ideology). Theodor W. Adorno, M. Horkheimer, E. Fromm and H. Marcuse. 

Apart from them e.g. L. Althusser - the ability of literature to make ideology visible.

Sources:

• Collectivity of authors. Civic and social science foundation. Computer Media, 2023.

• “Frankfurt School.” Encyclopaedia Britannica, Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc., 17 July 2024, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Frankfurt-School.

• Eagelton, Terry. Criticism and ideology: a study in marxist literary theory. Verso, 1978.

Lenka Audyová, UČO: 403085