Marxist theory

Marxist criticism in literature examines the impact of capitalism on characters, relationships, and society. It analyses class dynamics and the connection between money and power to uncover how literature reflects and critiques social inequality and advocates for social change. 

Language and Literature students can look at texts and consider the following: 

• Money: who has it; who doesn't

• Labour: who has work, and what sort of work; who does not have work

• The structure of society: who is at the top; who is at the bottom

This should all be considered in light of an examination of power and disempowerment. This could be explored effectively in a Higher Level Essay, where students explore a line of inquiry focussed on these issues in, say, the writing of Sally Rooney, or the speeches of Bernie Sanders.

• Can you provide examples of texts that either endorse and justify inequality or question and criticize it?

• How does a Marxist perspective on literature question and confront the traditional literary canon?