Sarah Cole

The story “Sarah Cole: A Type of Love Story” reminded me of “Anna Karenina.” Both stories involve social interaction,. Or intercourse as Marx would say, between two different classes, the working class,, and ruling class, or as they are referred to under the teachings of Marx, the proletariat and bourgeoisie. Just as Levon became enchanted with the ideals of his workers and even favored their company rather than that of his own family, Ron became obsessed with Sarah going as far to become her lover. Unlike the descriptions in the “Anna Karenina” excerpt, Sarah, the proletariat in the story, isn’t glorified, instead she is constantly referred to as “homely” and several of the lines in the story describe her unattractive appearance. Ron, the bourgeoisie, in the story, mentions that her “homely” appearance is one of the things that attracts him. “he asserts--to himself that he is speaking to the most unattractive woman he has ever seen, a fact which fascinates him, as if instead he were speaking to the most beautiful woman he has ever seen or perhaps ever will see, so he treasures the moment…”

A Marxist would read this story similar to “Anna Karenina” Ron represents both sides of the Bourgeoisie, one that favors his class and looks down on the workers, his is shown by his constant mention of Sarah’s appearance, car, apartment, neighborhood, he also represents the side that wishes to mix with the lower class, against his own better judgment he feels compelled to see Sarah. A Marxist would see this as a failed intercourse. Both parties wounded up being incompatible, Unlike Levon who could easily give up his life and spend hours doing labor, Ron couldn’t see himself getting any deeper into Sarah’s lower-middle class life style, he ended the relationship the second he found out that her kids were fully aware of him. This would be the fear of a Marxist, while they hope all members of the bourgeoisie would be like Levon and merge seamlessly into the proletariat, most would be like Ron, who would tip-toe inside and then leave things more damaged than they were before they came.