Williams & Cole Responses..

Raymond Williams
“The concept of ideology did not originate in Marxism and is still in no way confined to it. Yet it is evidently an important concept in almost all Marxist thinking about culture, and especially about literature and ideas.” Raymond William goes on to explain that although the concept of ideology is found in almost all Marxist readings, this concept of ideology can be found in any class society. Raymond Williams believes that the concept of ideology should not just be related to Marx, because it did not originate in Marxism, and this concept can be identified with other. “The damage can be realized if we compare it for a moment with Marx’s description of human labour…” Raymond Williams is trying to say that this idea of Marx beliefs create a one-sided vision of ho things may seem. Allowing no room for our on reason for why classes or salutations in society are the way they are now.
Russell Banks “Sarah Cole”
Russell Banks, “Sarah Cole” can connect to our class discussion in a way in which it demonstrates the concept of Hegemony. Which is when the Dominant group creates an ideology to subject the subordinate group. When Ron and Sarah continuously go places together, various people in the neighborhood would considered them “Funny looking”. Due to the ideologies that the Dominant group created, the subordinate groups have come to accept that socializing with someone from a different social status is not considered ideal. A “Marxist” reading of this story might entail the emphasis on social classes. From a Marxist point of view, the description of the men in Concord New Hampshire ,…”three piece suits and loosened neckties..” would categorize them as the “Dominant group” or lawyers as they mentioned in the story. These men were mostly “good looking.” From a Marxist point of view, Cole on the other hand would represent the subordinate group, because she was unattractive, had a “rapidi voice, and her dumpy off center wreck of a body.” The author goes on the describe the difference in neighborhoods. Cole’s south end of concord apartment was a second floor tenement building. Half stripped cars on cinder block in the driveways, cracked sidewalks. Ron’s, however representing the upper class, lives Downtown, where the streets are much cleaner, and the driveway is usable for his car, which is a Datsun fastback coupe. The kinds of things Banks would fixate on if it were a Marxist reading would also be on the society/community in which they both live. A Marxist would believe that because Ron and Sarah are afraid of making love for the first time is because they are so socially, physically, and mentally different. Ron at first has a problem with going out with Cole in public in the beginning. A Marxist would believe that he’s afraid of what society may think of him, because he’s dating a women who is not in his social group. Also from a Marxist reading, the characters sense of style would be taken into consideration. The dominant men in the story were “over-dressed”, yet the characters in Sarah’s community dresses different. EVERYONE was in jeans, and cowboy boots, and this was considered appropriate.