Critical Theories: Marxist and Materialist Theory

Background for Marxist/Materialist Theory Marxist and Materialist Criticism apply ideas from sociology, political science and economics to the study of literature. Marxist Criticism draws on the writings of Karl Marx, ( ) who was highly critical of the capitalist system and concerned about the ways in which governments and businesses that control the means of production (factories, etc.) exert control over the working classes. Materialists, like Marxists, are concerned with the “material conditions” that affect the lives of characters, authors, and readers. What makes Materialists different from Marxists is that they do not draw specifically from Marx’s ideas. Both are concerned with issues of class conflict, wealth, work, and the various ideologies that surround these things. (An ideology is a group of ideals/values and ideas, especially one that forms the basis of a political of economic system.)

Key Terms for Marxist and Materialist Theory Material Conditions: “those components of daily life related directly to one’s economic existence, such as housing, work environment, and access to education and health care” (Hall 74) Ideology: “those belief systems that underlie our actions and material lives, beliefs that are rarely reflected on and that structure our world in ways that produce and reproduce social relationships” (Hall 74-75). Hegemony: “a system of interlocked institutions, practices, worldviews, expectations hopes, and fears, as well as specific ideologies, that makes the status quo and the stratification of power and economic resources within that status quo seem natural and unchallengeable” (Hall 78). For a more complete list of Marxist terminology, go here:

Key Terms for Marxist and Materialist Theory Bourgeoisie: (It’s pronounced bor-zhwa-zee.) The “Middle Class,” with the connotation of a class that has embraced the materialistic conventional economic and social values. (This is the noun. The adjective that you would use to describe someone is “bourgeois.”) Proletariat: The “Working Class.” Those whose labor produces the goods and services that create disproportionate profits for the Upper Class and the Bourgeoisie. Commodity: "external object, a thing which through its qualities satisfies human needs of whatever kind" (Marx, Capital). So any object that is produced and then sold is a commodity. Marx and Marxist/Materialist critics also often refer the labor sold by the proletariat as a commodity as well. Means of Production: The structures, materials, machinery, etc. needed to produce goods. Class Awareness: A person’s consciousness of him/herself as a member of a specific class.

Questions Marxist/Materialist Critics Ask: How do issues of social class and economic status affect the characters and events in this work? Are characters aware of the economic and political forces that are acting on them? If they are unaware, what are the forces that keep them ignorant, and what are the consequences of this ignorance? What ideological assumptions about class, work, and economic status does this work make? In what ways does this work either challenge or support the class or political structures it describes?