The MARXIST APPROACH in Reading Literature
BACKGROUND INFORMATION THE DRINKERS (1850-55) BY HONORÉ DAUMIER Karl Heinrich Marx • born on May 5, 1818 • Trier, Rhine, Prussia (Germany) • revolutionary • historian • sociologist • economist
IN YOUR OWN WORDS, COME UP WITH A DEFINITION OF THE WORD "REALISTIC". BACKGROUND INFORMATION Karl Heinrich Marx • studied law and philosophy at Univeristy of Berlin. • expelled by the governments of Germany, France and Belgium because of his radical expressions
BACKGROUND INFORMATION THE DRINKERS (1850-55) BY HONORÉ DAUMIER Karl Heinrich Marx • together with German philosopher, Freidrich Engels, wrote “The Communists Manifesto“ in 1848.
Gustave Courbet, The Stone Breakers 1849 THE MARXIST THEORY posits that the problems in history are caused by the struggle between two forces: upper and lower classes
The Potato Eaters, Vincent van Gogh, 1885–1885 THE MARXIST THEORY struggling forces: the lower class attempting to obtain power and the upper class retaining their wealth.
THE BOURGEOISIE VERSUS THE PROLETARIAT From the Marxist perspective, production of goods separates the different social classes: the bourgeoisie, who own productive property; and the proletariat, who work
SUMMARY • According to the Marxist theory by the German philosopher Karl Marx along with another German philosopher named Friedrich Engels, problems in history are caused by the struggle between the lower class and the upper class. • From the Marxist perspective, production of goods separates the bourgeoisie, who own productive property, from the proletariat, who work. • According to the Marxist theory, those who own productive property are the ruling class. They control and dictate society’s values, culture, and beliefs. • Majority of the people in a capitalist society belong to the working class and only a few have the power and means to rule.
The two German philosophers who believe that social conflicts arise because of difference in social classes are _________. LEARNED ANYTHING YET?
LEARNED ANYTHING YET? The two German philosophers who believe that social conflicts arise because of difference in social classes are Friedrich Engels and Karl Marx .
LEARNED ANYTHING YET? The production of goods causes the division of people based on _____ .
LEARNED ANYTHING YET? The production of goods causes the division of people based on class.
LEARNED ANYTHING YET? Which statement is not true of the Marxist theory? • The theory claims that the lower class controls and dictates society's values, culture, and beliefs. • The theory was developed by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. • The theory posits that problems in history are caused by class struggle. • The theory states that the lower class attempts to obtain power while the upper class retains their wealth.
LEARNED ANYTHING YET? Which statement is not true of the Marxist theory? • The theory claims that the lower class controls and dictates society's values, culture, and beliefs. • The theory was developed by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. • The theory posits that problems in history are caused by class struggle. • The theory states that the lower class attempts to obtain power while the upper class retains their wealth.
LEARNED ANYTHING YET? Which forces are in constant struggle according to the Marxist theory? • good and evil • men and women • the lower and upper class • the reader and the writer
LEARNED ANYTHING YET? Which forces are in constant struggle according to the Marxist theory? • good and evil • men and women • the lower and upper class • the reader and the writer
LEARNED ANYTHING YET? Which of the following is not dictated by the ruling class? values population culture beliefs
LEARNED ANYTHING YET? Which of the following is not dictated by the ruling class? values population culture beliefs
JACK LONDON THE STORY OF KEESH
The Story of Keesh • What does Keesh complain about to the village council? That the council does not help him and his poor mother. His mother is hungry for seal meat. That they give him and his mother poor quality meat. He and his mother have nothing to eat.
The Story of Keesh • What does Keesh complain about to the village council? That the council does not help him and his poor mother. His mother is hungry for seal meat. That they give him and his mother poor quality meat. He and his mother have nothing to eat.
The Story of Keesh How does Keesh want to be like his father, Bok? He will be a speaker in the village council. Keesh wants to go out and hunt like his father. He wants to be generous like his father. Keesh wants to marry a beautiful woman.
The Story of Keesh How does Keesh want to be like his father, Bok? He will be a speaker in the village council. Keesh wants to go out and hunt like his father. He wants to be generous like his father. Keesh wants to marry a beautiful woman.
The Story of Keesh What do the members of the council suspect about Keesh? They think his father's ghost is helping him hunt. The council thinks he is using magic to catch bears. They think that evil spirits are helping Keesh. The council members think all of these things about Keesh.
The Story of Keesh What do the members of the council suspect about Keesh? They think his father's ghost is helping him hunt. The council thinks he is using magic to catch bears. They think that evil spirits are helping Keesh. The council members think all of these things about Keesh.
The Story of Keesh How does Keesh explain his bear hunting methods? He says that he is poisoning the bears. Keesh is using whalebone hidden in meat. He catches the bears in a trap. Keesh says he is using magic to catch the bears.
The Story of Keesh How does Keesh explain his bear hunting methods? He says that he is poisoning the bears. Keesh is using whalebone hidden in meat. He catches the bears in a trap. Keesh says he is using magic to catch the bears.
Marxist Themes in “The Story of Keesh”
Marxist Themes in “The Story of Keesh” In the story, Keesh's struggle against the hardships of the Arctic environment can be seen as an allegory for: • The individual's fight against nature. • The working class's struggle against capitalism. • The importance of community and cooperation. • All of the above.
Marxist Themes in “The Story of Keesh” In the story, Keesh's struggle against the hardships of the Arctic environment can be seen as an allegory for: • The individual's fight against nature. • The working class's struggle against capitalism. • The importance of community and cooperation. • All of the above.
Marxist Themes in “The Story of Keesh” Which of the following Marxist concepts is most directly represented by the harsh living conditions faced by Keesh and his tribe? • Alienation • Class conflict • Materialism • Historical materialism
Marxist Themes in “The Story of Keesh” Which of the following Marxist concepts is most directly represented by the harsh living conditions faced by Keesh and his tribe? • Alienation • Class conflict • Materialism • Historical materialism
Marxist Themes in “The Story of Keesh” Keesh's decision to challenge the traditional leadership of the tribe can be interpreted as a: • Rejection of authority and a call for revolution. • Necessary step to ensure the survival of the tribe. • Sign of his individual ambition and greed.
Marxist Themes in “The Story of Keesh” Keesh's decision to challenge the traditional leadership of the tribe can be interpreted as a: • Rejection of authority and a call for revolution. • Necessary step to ensure the survival of the tribe. • Sign of his individual ambition and greed.
Marxist Themes in “The Story of Keesh” The ending of the story, where Keesh is ostracized by the tribe despite his success, reflects the Marxist critique of: • The dangers of individualism and competition. • The inevitability of class conflict. • The limitations of social change within a capitalist system. • All of the above.
Marxist Themes in “The Story of Keesh” The ending of the story, where Keesh is ostracized by the tribe despite his success, reflects the Marxist critique of: • The dangers of individualism and competition. • The inevitability of class conflict. • The limitations of social change within a capitalist system. • All of the above.
Marxist Themes in “The Story of Keesh” Which statement best summarizes the Marxist message conveyed in "The Story of Keesh"? • Individual achievement is ultimately meaningless without the support of the collective. • The harsh realities of nature are the root cause of human suffering. • Traditional authority figures must be overthrown for progress to boccur. • The working class is destined to always be oppressed by the ruling class.
Marxist Themes in “The Story of Keesh” Which statement best summarizes the Marxist message conveyed in "The Story of Keesh"? • Individual achievement is ultimately meaningless without the support of the collective. • The harsh realities of nature are the root cause of human suffering. • Traditional authority figures must be overthrown for progress to boccur. • The working class is destined to always be oppressed by the ruling class.
Marxist Themes in “The Story of Keesh” In the story, Keesh's initial struggle against the cold and hunger reflects: • The harsh realities of life in a pre-civilized society. • The exploitation of the working class under capitalism. • The importance of individual strength and perseverance. • The need for social cooperation and collective action.
Marxist Themes in “The Story of Keesh” In the story, Keesh's initial struggle against the cold and hunger reflects: • The harsh realities of life in a pre-civilized society. • The exploitation of the working class under capitalism. • The importance of individual strength and perseverance. • The need for social cooperation and collective action.
Marxist Themes in “The Story of Keesh” Which of the following best describes Keesh's initial social status in the story? • Wealthy and powerful chief • Skilled hunter and respected member of the tribe • Lowly slave with no possessions • Common person struggling to survive
Marxist Themes in “The Story of Keesh” Which of the following best describes Keesh's initial social status in the story? • Wealthy and powerful chief • Skilled hunter and respected member of the tribe • Lowly slave with no possessions • Common person struggling to survive
Marxist Themes in “The Story of Keesh” What event triggers Keesh's transformation in the story? • He is chosen as the next chief. • He witnesses the cruelty of the tribe leaders. • He discovers a hidden treasure. • He is exiled from his tribe.
Marxist Themes in “The Story of Keesh” What event triggers Keesh's transformation in the story? • He is chosen as the next chief. • He witnesses the cruelty of the tribe leaders. • He discovers a hidden treasure. • He is exiled from his tribe.
Marxist Themes in “The Story of Keesh” How does Keesh's experience reflect Marxist ideas about class struggle? • He overcomes his lower class through individual merit. • He challenges the existing power structure and its inequalities. • He accepts his place in the social hierarchy without complaint. • He focuses on personal gain rather than collective good.
Marxist Themes in “The Story of Keesh” How does Keesh's experience reflect Marxist ideas about class struggle? • He overcomes his lower class through individual merit. • He challenges the existing power structure and its inequalities. • He accepts his place in the social hierarchy without complaint. • He focuses on personal gain rather than collective good.
Marxist Themes in “The Story of Keesh” What is the significance of the whalebone in the story? • They represent Keesh's strength and determination. • They symbolize the wealth and power of the ruling class. • They are a gift from the spirits, granting him special abilities. • They represent the value of hard work, ingenuity, and individual achievement.
Marxist Themes in “The Story of Keesh” What is the significance of the whalebone in the story? • They represent Keesh's strength and determination. • They symbolize the wealth and power of the ruling class. • They are a gift from the spirits, granting him special abilities. • They represent the value of hard work, ingenuity, and individual achievement.