MARXISM

( A literary Approach )
HISTORY AND BACKGROUND
OF MARXISM

Reporter : RICO D. DIOLATA

 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 .

Marxism presentation (slideshare.net)

 KARL MARX

 Root of Marxist literary theory

 Born in Tier, Germany in 1818

 His writings became the basis of the

Marxism Approach .

 Died on 14 March 1883

 WHAT IS MARXISM
Marxism in sociology is a key conflict
theory originating from the work of Karl Marx. It
believes that capitalist society is based on inequalities
between the 'bourgeoisie' (ruling capitalist class) and
the 'proletariat' (working class). It is a conflict theory,
as it sees society as being in constant conflict between
these social classes.

https://www.studysmarter.us/explanations/social-studies/theories-andmethods/marxism/#:~
:text=Marxism%20in%20sociology%20is%2
 THE ROLE OF THE ECONOMY IN
MARXISM

Marx theorized that the most important aspect of a society is

its economy. All other institutions and structures are based on
the economy. Whoever is in charge of the economy is in
charge of society and its population. Marx's original
philosophy is also referred to as traditional (or classic)
Marxism.
In Marx's view, the bourgeoisie controls the economy and
exploits the proletariat through ownership of the 'means of
production and 'relations of production. Through exploitation,
the bourgeoisie can continue to make profits and further the
capitalist agenda. The capitalist agenda is based on the private
ownership of property, through which individuals can
accumulate capital.
Marx highlights the periods of time that Western societies
moved through. He called these epochs.
 THE FIVE EPOCHS

Primitive communism
Society was free of social class division, as hunter-gatherers only gathered enough food to
survive. There was no surplus production, and therefore there was no exploitation.

Ancient society
This was the first stage of exploitation, as the dynamic between aristocrats and slaves
characterized society.

Feudalism
Medieval society was divided into landowners and land occupiers. The landowners
exploited the occupiers.
 THE FIVE EPOCHS

Capitalist society
Our current society. We can trade with anyone, and we are free to make our
own money. However, according to Marx, this stage is unjust because the rich
exploit the poor.

Advanced communism
Marx's utopian prediction for the next stage of society. Shared resources,
wealth, and equality are traits of Marx's ideal societal structure.
 THE TWO CLASSES OF CAPITALIST SOCIETY

 bourgeoisie
The bourgeoisie owns the means of production, which produces goods
that they can sell at a profit. For this reason, the bourgeoisie controls the
wealth of the country. 

 proletariat
The proletariat sells its time and labor to the bourgeoisie for money.
The economic base and superstructure
The bourgeoisie controls the means of production, meaning that they own the land,
materials, factories, and equipment for production. They also control the relations of
production, which means they organise the workers involved in the production of goods and
services.
This combination of power gives the bourgeoisie control over the whole
economy. According to Marx, control over the whole economy means control over society,
as the 'superstructure' is based on the economy.

The superstructure is the name given to all other institutions and structures in

society, such as government, religion, education, and family. Such institutions
reproduce bourgeoisie ideas and values, which helps to maintain the status quo
and uphold the capitalist agenda.
FALSE CLASS CONSCIOUSNESS AND ALIENATION

The results of ideological control ensure that the proletariat does not
realize its exploitation because it believes its exploitative working
conditions are normal. This delusion is called 'false class consciousness.

The capitalist structure also creates 'alienation', which is a disengagement

from work, community, and a sense of belonging. Marxism argues that
this is a necessary and intentional result of capitalist society, as it prevents
workers from feeling like they are in control.
REVOLUTION

Marx believed that once the proletariat realized its

position in society, a revolution would occur and
capitalism would be abolished. The proletariat
would overthrow the bourgeoisie and create
an equal society where there would be no
motivation to profit or exploit others.
 Strengths of Marxism
• Traditional Marxism was considered a major influence in
its time, as it advocated for social and economic change.
• Marxist concepts can help us understand past revolutions
in capitalist societies.
• Many claim Marxism is still relevant today. Institutions
still use ideological control to promote a capitalist agenda
and to justify inequalities. For example, the institution of
education socializes children to be obedient and submit to
the hierarchy.
 Weaknesses of Marxism
• Functionalists claim Marxism has an overly negative view
of society. It is good for society when institutions and
individuals carry out their 'functions', as this promotes
social solidarity.
• Feminists claim Marxism overlooks the further social
division of gender in society. Marxist feminism, in
particular, argues that gender is the most important
division in a capitalist society, not social class. Class is not
solely defined by socioeconomic status, according to
Marxist feminists.
 DEFINITION OF
MARXIST LITERARY
CRITICISM
REPORTER: ROSE ANN JOVEN
DEFINITION OF MARXIST LITERARY
CRITICISM
Marxist criticism concerns with the analysis of the
clash of opposing social classes in society, namely;
the ruling class (bourgeoisie) and the working class
(proletariat) as it shaped the events that transpired in
the story.

https://www.hawaii.edu/powerkills/CIP.CHAP5.HTM
THEORIES OF MARXIST LITERARY
CRITICISM
 THEORIES OF MARXIST LITERARY
CRITICISM

Marxist literary theory tends to focus on the

representation of class conflict as well as the
reinforcement of class distinctions through
the medium of literature.
https://iep.utm.edu/literary/#:~:text=4.-,Marxism%20and%20Critical%20Theory,through%20
the%20medium%20of%20literature
 THEORIES OF MARXIST LITERARY
CRITICISM

The Marxist theory is more concerned with

the social and political elements of work than
its aesthetic value.

https://pediaa.com/how-to-apply-marxist-theory-to-literature/#:~:text=Summary,work%20tha
n%20its%20aesthetic%20value
.
GUIDE QUESTIONS WHEN USING MARXIST
LITERARY CRITICISM

REPORTER: RAQUELYN D. CAHOLOGAN

 GUIDE QUESTIONS WHEN USING MARXIST LITERARY

CRITICISM
What classes or socioeconomic and political status are represented in the
text/work?
What is the author's idea about the prevailing social issue like oppression?
What is the technique of the author in using social conflict?
How do characters overcome oppression?
In what ways does work serve as propaganda for the status quo, or does
it try to undermine it?
 GUIDE QUESTIONS WHEN USING
MARXIST LITERARY CRITICISM

How does the text depict the relationship between the

individual and the state? Does the state view individuals as
a means of production, or as ends in themselves?
https://writingcommons.org/section/research/research-methods/textual-methods/literary-c
riticism/marxist-criticism/

https://study.com/learn/lesson/marxist-criticism-overview-examples.html
Analysis of the song “tatsulok” by
bamboo using Marxist criticism

REPORTER: ADA KATHERINE ERMINO

Using Marxist Literary Criticism, the “tatsulok” or the pyramid represents the hierarchy prevailing
in our society, where on the top of the pyramid are the rich or wealthy people – they are the
bourgeoisie meaning the ruling class, while on the base of the pyramid are poor people – they
are the proletariat meaning the working class, which makes a social division. The social issue
that was presented in the song is the social injustices that are happening in society because of
the social division or the hierarchy where wealthy people (bourgeoisie) control everything with
money and power. So the song was written in 1989 by Rom Dongeto and was given a new
perspective by the Bamboo band which made the song a representation of how social status
affects our lives in society. Since the song was written during the Martial Law in the Philippines
and curfew was implemented at that time, the song implies a warning for the people before to
be aware because they might be mistaken as rebels and could be killed as can be seen in the
lyrics,
“Totoy, making ka, wag kang magpagabi, Baka mapagkamalan ka’t humandusay diyan sa tabi.”
Also, it tells us about the abuses that the military and police forces do just to implement the law,
especially on the poor people which can be seen in the lyrics,
“Totoy, bilisan mo, bilisan mo ang takbo, Ilagan ang mga bombang nakatutok sa ulo mo, Totoy,
tumalon ka, dumapa kung kailangan, At baka tamaan pa ng mga balang ligaw”.
Today, the message of the song is still relevant and important because the social issues are still prevailing
such as there are still social injustices, discrimination, inequalities that can be seen in our society. If you have
the money you have the power to reverse the justice system in our society and government. So the Bamboo
band sees that because of the hierarchy in the society the poor (proletariat) are always discriminated, abused
or used badly. Indeed, they wanted the poor people to wake up, to see and feel, to fight for their rights from
the lyrics
“Totoy, kumilos ka, baliktarin ang tatsulok” and “Iligtas ang hininga ng kay raming mga tao.”
Considering the government is aware of these social injustices happening in our society but because of the
presence of people with power– the people who have the money, control, and manage to get away from the
lawsuits by paying money to the officials of the government from the lyrics,
“At ang hustisya ay para lang sa mayaman.”
Moreover, since the song is a rock, it tells and represents the feelings, of how angry the poor people about
the social division that causes social injustices where the wealthy people have only the capacity to afford
justice from the lyrics,
“Habang may tatsulok at sila ang nasa tuktok, ‘Di matatapos itong gulo.”
Through the song, they call for a revolution, that the poor people already have enough of the social issues
that they have always badly faces and encounters. And now, they wanted a social change, they wanted an
equity, justice, freedom and peace in the society. It calls for spirit to fight, be brave enough to eliminate those
social issues and to have a better system and better society from the lyrics,
“Tulad ng dukha, nailagay mo sa tuktok.”
THANK YOU.