English 10: Marxist, Moralist, & Readers' Response Approach

This word comes from ("common, universal')

communism

A system in which goods are owned in common and are available to all as needed.

communism

AKA class war

inequality

Proletariat (labor force) vs. Bourgeoise (capitalists/owner)

working class

When did Karl Marx live?

May 5, 1818 - March 14, 1883

What is the occupation of Karl Marx?

German Philosopher, Economist, Political Theorist, and Social Activist

He is known for co-authoring "The Communist Manifesto" and "Das Kapital," which laid the foundation for Marxism and Communism

Karl Marx

It examines literature through the lens of socioeconomic and class relations, focusing on how these factors influence and shape the text's themes, characters, and conflicts.

Marxist Approach

What is the larger purpose of literature?

To teach morality.

AKA Humanist or Philosophical Criticism

Moralist Approach

Concerned with human character and behavior

Moralist Approach

Investigates the effects literature has on readers as moral beings

Moralist Approach

Based on what improves and enriches human lives

Moralist Approach

It is the mother of all literary critism.

Moral approach has the longest history of any theory.

Critics differ on the definition of what is good and what is bad

Moralist

— no _________!

consencus

Moralist Critics look at the... greater good or the...

COMMON GOOD.

COMMON GOOD =

benefit of society, everyone.

Focuses on the individual reader's subjective interpretation and

Readers’ Response

response to a literary work.

readers' response

It emphasizes the role of the reader in actively constructing meaning and engaging with the text.

readers' response

Reader-response critics believe that the meaning of a text is not fixed or determined by the author, but rather shaped by the reader's personal experiences, beliefs, and cultural context.

readers' response

How are social classes represented in the literary work? Are there clear divisions between the bourgeoisie (ruling class) and the proletariat (working class)?

Marxist

How does the distribution of power and resources contribute to the conflicts and struggles depicted in the text?

Marxist

How does the text portray issues of labor, property ownership, and economic systems?

Marxist

What symbols or metaphors represent class struggle or economic themes in the work?

Marxist

How do the social and economic conditions of the time period in which the literary work was written influence its themes and messages?

Marxist

What is the author's stance on class issues, and how is it reflected in the text?

Marxist

How did the text make you feel? Did it evoke any specific emotions or reactions in you?

Readers’ Response

Did you find any particular character relatable? Why or why not?

Readers' Response

Were there any moments in the text that surprised you or challenged your expectations?

Readers’ Response

Did the text remind you of any personal experiences or memories? How did that influence your understanding of the story?

Readers' Response

What aspects of the text stood out to you the most? Why do you think they caught your attention?

Readers' Response

Did you connect with the themes or messages conveyed in the text? Why or why not?

Moralist

Do you think Mathilde was morally wrong to borrow the necklace to appear wealthier than she was? Why or why not?

Moralist

Was it ethical for Mathilde and her husband to replace the necklace without telling Madame Forestier about losing it? What would have been the right thing to do in that situation?

Moralist

Does Madame Forestier bear any moral responsibility for not revealing that the necklace was fake earlier?

Moralist

Was it fair for Mathilde to deceive Madame Forestier by pretending she still had the necklace? Explain.

Moralist

Do you think Mathilde's suffering was a fair punishment for her mistakes? Why or why not?

Moralist

After enduring years of hardship, do you think Mathilde becomes a better person or learns any moral lessons? Why or why not?

Moralist

Do you think society's emphasis on appearances and materialism contributes to moral failings like Mathilde's? How might this apply to modern life?

Moralist