2.21

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING ADDITION: 'The Intellectuals' having been removed from the archive, and not being otherwise available online, please read the Gramsci link to the right, from section three on. This will give you an overview of his key concepts and some of his words, and I'll bring more in for you on Monday. This may overlap with Ariel's presentation, but that should hopefully allow for a bit more conversation.

For Monday's class, read over the 'Marxist Readings' on the list, paying particular attention to Jamaica Kincaid's 'Girl' (the text is available there as well). If you don't connect directly to the pdf. the link to the actual Marxist reading of the story is at the bottom of the 'Marxist Literary Readings: Jamaica Kincaid's "Girl"' page, though the background is useful as well.

As you read through the Gramsci materials pay particular attention to his particular and influential concept of Hegemony. Consider the following: What does Gramsci mean by this , and what might it have to do with the critical question of why, if capitalism was clearly doomed to imminent failure in 1846, it seems to continue? How does a Marxist explain this problem with Marxism?

Then, in a 250-400 word response, respond generally to the Gramsci, and also think about the 'Marxist readings' specifically: what is most useful in these literary readings and what is least? That is, what does this all have to do with literature?

Also, several of the responses for last Wednesday and the previous Wednesday were far too brief. Remember that this is a 'w' course: if your response is less than 250 words, it will not count for credit.