Marxist Literary Critique

Prior, to our last few classes devoted to Marxist Literary Criticism, the only experience I had with Marxist Theory was purely within the realm of politics and history. Marxist Criticism, as it pertains to literature, has the reader notice the economic foundation of the work, highlighting who is involved in the production system. Furthermore, emphasis is placed on social relationships, class distinctions and conflicts. I enjoyed reading the Russell Bank’s “Sarah Cole” work as a Marxist Literary Critic. Social interpersonal relationships were always something I would consider when reading a novel, however, never as Marxist Literary Critic concentration. Reading this work gave me practice recognizing social status and elements that indicate it. Clothing, cars, language, buildings and settings all bear a relationship on class standing. The only danger with the Marxist Literary critique is carrying the criticism too far- Perhaps overreaching, as in the case of the Rudolph reading.
For my paper, I choice to write a Marxist Literary critique on Stephen Crane’s “Maggie: A Girl of the Streets”. The novella seemed an obvious choice for me because the story is concerned with Maggie’s financial poverty, which drives her to prostitution. Crane’s story realistically recreates the dilapidated and miserable condition of her working class. Most interesting however, the story, set in New York City, offers an alternate American Communist approach. Maggie, similar to Ron in Bank’s tale, is obsessed with materialisms. Maggie too, notices clothing and other possessions that separate her working class from the higher social echelons. It was compelling to study a story I was previously familiar with in this new view.