Marxist Critique: What do The Great Gatsby, Les Misérables, and Parasite have in common? Beyond their gripping narratives, these works reflect deep socioeconomic tensions, class struggles, and power dynamics. Marxist literary criticism provides a lens through which we can analyze literature and film in terms of economic structures, class conflict, and the ideologies that sustain inequalities.

Rooted in the theories of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, Marxist critique explores how literature reflects and reinforces—or challenges—capitalist ideologies. This article delves into the foundations of Marxist criticism, its key principles, and how it unveils class struggles in popular works across various genres.

Understanding Marxist Critique

1. Foundations of Marxist Literary Theory

Marxist literary theory is based on the writings of Karl Marx, particularly The Communist Manifesto (1848) and Das Kapital (1867). Marx argued that economic systems shape human societies and that class struggle between the ruling class (bourgeoisie) and the working class (proletariat) is central to history and culture.

• Base and Superstructure: The economy (base) determines societal institutions, including literature (superstructure).
• Class Struggle: Literature often reflects tensions between oppressors and the oppressed.
• Ideology and Hegemony: Dominant ideologies reinforce the power of the ruling class, while literature can either uphold or challenge these beliefs.

Thinkers like Antonio Gramsci (hegemony), Louis Althusser (ideological state apparatuses), and Terry Eagleton (literary ideology) further developed Marxist literary criticism.

2. Key Questions in Marxist Literary Analysis

When applying Marxist criticism, ask:

• How do class differences manifest in the story?
• Does the text critique or uphold capitalist ideology?
• How are wealth and labor distributed?
• Who holds power, and who is oppressed?
• What role does ideology play in shaping characters’ beliefs and actions?

Now, let’s apply this lens to popular literature and film.

Marxist Readings of Classic and Modern Literature

1. Classic Literature: Class Struggle and Capitalism’s Consequences

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby: The Illusion of the American Dream

A classic example of Marxist critique, The Great Gatsby exposes the illusion of upward mobility and the rigid class divide in 1920s America.

• Jay Gatsby represents the self-made man, but his wealth fails to grant him acceptance into the old-money elite.
• Tom Buchanan, a wealthy aristocrat, symbolizes inherited privilege and the ruling class’s disdain for outsiders.
• The valley of ashes represents the working class, whose labor sustains the lavish lives of the wealthy.
• The novel ultimately critiques the American Dream as an ideological construct that maintains class hierarchies.

Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist: Poverty and Exploitation

Dickens, known for his social critiques, uses Oliver Twist to highlight the brutal realities of capitalism and child labor in industrial England.

• Oliver, an orphan, represents the most vulnerable class in capitalist society.
• Fagin and Bill Sikes exploit children for labor, mirroring real-world economic exploitation.
• The workhouse system symbolizes institutionalized oppression of the poor.
• The novel indirectly calls for social reform, aligning with Marxist critiques of capitalism’s failures.

Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables: Revolution and Class Struggle

Les Misérables is a direct critique of social inequality and systemic oppression.

• Jean Valjean, a former convict, symbolizes the struggle for dignity in a system that punishes the poor.
• Inspector Javert, a law enforcer, represents state control and the ruling class’s grip on power.
• The June Rebellion highlights revolutionary resistance against economic oppression.
• The novel champions justice and criticizes the institutions that perpetuate class disparities.

2. Modern Literature and Film: Capitalism in Contemporary Narratives

Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games: Capitalism, Spectacle, and Oppression

Collins’ dystopian world reflects capitalist excess and class stratification.

• The Capitol represents the ruling elite who control resources and exploit the working districts.
• The Games are a distraction, akin to Roman “bread and circuses,” preventing rebellion through entertainment.
• Katniss Everdeen embodies resistance against an exploitative system.
• The series critiques capitalism’s ability to manipulate and oppress under the guise of order and spectacle.

Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite: The Inequality of Wealth and Space

This Oscar-winning film is a masterful Marxist critique of capitalism’s disparities.

• The Kim family, living in a semi-basement, represents the working poor.
• The Park family, living in luxury, symbolizes the oblivious upper class.
• The film’s architecture (underground vs. elevated spaces) visually reinforces class divides.
• The tragic ending suggests that capitalism’s cycle of poverty is nearly impossible to escape.

George Orwell’s Animal Farm: Allegory for Class Exploitation

While often read as a critique of Stalinism, Animal Farm also exposes broader class struggles.

• The pigs (Napoleon, Snowball) become the ruling elite, exploiting the other animals.
• Boxer, the hardworking horse, represents the exploited working class.
• The commandments of Animalism are rewritten to serve those in power, mirroring capitalist propaganda.
• Orwell critiques how revolutions often replace one oppressive ruling class with another.

The Role of Literature in Class Consciousness

1. Literature as a Tool for Ideological Control

Many works reinforce dominant ideologies by depicting capitalism as natural or inevitable. For example:

• Romance novels that glorify wealth and reinforce class aspirations.
• Hollywood films that portray billionaires as heroes rather than exploiters.
• Fantasy novels where monarchies are romanticized rather than critiqued.

2. Literature as a Tool for Resistance

Other works challenge the status quo by

• Highlighting working-class struggles (Germinal by Émile Zola).
• Exposing corporate greed (American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis).
• Depicting revolutionary movements (1984 by George Orwell).

In Conclusion, Marxist literary criticism opens our eyes to the economic structures embedded in storytelling. By examining class struggle, labor exploitation, and capitalist ideology, we uncover deeper layers in literature and film. Whether in the grandeur of The Great Gatsby, the revolution of Les Misérables, or the dystopia of The Hunger Games, Marxist critique reveals the underlying socioeconomic tensions shaping these narratives.

Ultimately, literature not only reflects society but also shapes our perceptions of class and power. By engaging with texts through a Marxist lens, we become more aware of the forces that govern our own world, making us more critical readers—and citizens.

FAQs About Marxist Critique

1. How does Marxist criticism differ from other literary theories?

Unlike structuralism or psychoanalysis, Marxist criticism focuses on economic and social power structures, analyzing how literature reflects or challenges class dynamics.

2. Can Marxist critique be applied to all types of literature?

Yes, even seemingly apolitical works contain economic themes, making them subject to Marxist analysis.

3. Does Marxist literary theory promote socialism?

While it critiques capitalism, Marxist theory itself is a method of analysis rather than an advocacy tool.

4. How do modern films use Marxist themes?

Films like Parasite, Joker, and Sorry to Bother You highlight economic struggles and class oppression.

5. Why is Marxist critique relevant today?

As wealth inequality grows, literature and media continue to reflect tensions between social classes, making Marxist analysis more relevant than ever.