Marx and Such

I have always known, well I guess not always, but I was aware coming into this class that the American, Cold War idea of communism isn’t what Marx initially intended. I was not fully aware of all his ideas and concepts. Truthfully, it seems a bit narrow minded to me. Everything is dependent upon money. Anything else is a result, a response to the economy. That seemed to be Williams’ gripe with Marx as well. I understand where it comes from though. It was his response to his economic situation and his observation of the changing world around him.
Marxist Criticism focuses on a particular aspect of a text, or the story as a whole, from a very specific angle – what are the economic effects?
What was most compelling to me was how each of the theorists we studied – Marx, Gramsci, and Williams – found the words (at times too many) and ideas (at times in riddle) to intellectually (at times as if in a different language) discuss in length (at times too long) the problems with the systems in place, but couldn’t come up with the answer. And, if they thought they had the answer, couldn’t lay out the steps to make it happen.
This is also what I found least compelling. It’s not that I didn’t gain anything from these obviously intelligent men, but at some point you have to ask, “Alright, now what?” To me, these texts are more of a tool for self-reflection and finding a broader, better awareness of the world than a solution to society’s ails, which is closer to what I feel their authors’ original intent had been.

Oh my, the essay, the essay…
I had a real trouble focusing everything into something cohesive. I had six or seven different Microsoft Word windows open, one on O’Brien, one on Chandler, one with all different quotes, one on Saving Private Ryan, and on, and on. I had so much material that every time I tried to actually write the damn thing parts of my brain would scatter and hide like cockroaches. So, I made it more difficult than it had to be. Hope it came out with some semblance of a complete thought. Other than that, I enjoyed thinking about, watching, and reading all the material I discussed.
So, chalk it up as a success. GRADES AREN’T REAL ANYWAY! Hahahaha…