Marxist, Ecocritical, Feminist and Queer Criticism
Hello Readers…!!!
This blog is a task given by Dilip Barad sir H.O.D. of English Department M.K.B.U. In this blog I am going to briefly discuss two theories Marxist, and Ecocritical theories, and another two theories Feminist and Queer criticism discussed in another blog. Click Here for a visit another blog.
Marxism
Introduction-
Marxism is one of the most significant theories and a philosophy that has contributed much to the modern world. German Philosopher Karl Marx helped the working class to question the injustice enforced upon them through their wages, lifestyle and oppression. Marxism, for many, is a beginning of progress and evolution. Marx believed that instilling his ideology in the minds of people like him, would one day make the world an ideal classless society.
What is Marxism?
Marxism is a social, economic and political philosophy that analyzes the impact of the ruling class on the laborers, leading to uneven distribution of wealth and privileges in the society. It stimulates the workers to protest the injustice. The theory was formulated by Karl Marx and Fredrich Engels in their work, ‘The Communist Manifesto’. it was a pamphlet they created during the age of Imperialism, rooting from their own struggles as members of the proletariat lot. According to Marx, History demonstrates the existence of class struggle centuries earlier. He explains the struggle through five stages.
-The Age of Slavery where there was class distinction between the aristocrats and the slaves.
-Capitalism, where the labor community (Proletariat) worked their lives off only for the ruling class (Bourgeoisie) to profit from them. This is the stage where Mark and Engels compile ‘Communist Manifesto’ from their plight as workers for the British Factory owners.
-Socialism is the phase that Marx believed the proletariats would revolt for their justice and eventually form a communist society, free of class distinctions and equal wealth.
Marx’s ideas were first presented in popular form in the “Manifesto of the Communist Party,” written jointly with Engels and published in 1848. It begins with the bold statement, “A specter is haunting Europe—the specter of communism”. This was more an expression of hope than a description of the actual situation as it then was. The “Manifesto of the Communist Party” was written for the Communist League, a tiny revolutionary group that had just been formed in the ferment leading up to the revolutions of 1848. Soon after it was published the uprisings that erupted across Europe in that year were defeated. The Communist League and other revolutionary groups were smashed. Marx and Engels were forced to flee from Germany and settled in England. Recriminations and in-fighting ensued among the exiled revolutionaries, consuming what little was left of their political energies. Marx retreated from direct political activity to devote himself mainly to his studies in the Library of the British Museum. The specter of communism had, it seemed, been extinguished and the bold vision of the “Manifesto of the Communist Party” refuted.
Gradually, however, radical activity revived and steadily grew. Socialist groups reformed and reorganized, and Marx’s ideas began to spread. When Marx died in 1883, their influence extended internationally and was growing rapidly. The specter had returned.
Key Principles of Marxism-
There are two obvious divisions in the Capitalist society – the Bourgeoisie and the Proletariats. The exploitation of the latter is the essence of Marxist ideology.
The Bourgeoisie enjoyed the power to control the toiling masses’ wages and work, leaving them vulnerable to even replacements in the future. The former had access to modern equipment and tools to make work easier and quicker, leaving the laborer with low wages and adding more profits to themselves.
The never-ending heavy labor left the workforce with a feeling of alienation from the task (Estranged Labor) and even humanity, focusing only on the yields.
Marxism after Marx
After Marx died, the international socialist movement was led by Engels until his death in 1895 and it continued to grow. World War I marked a turning point. Its outbreak precipitated the collapse of the international socialist movement as parties split from each other along national lines; its end saw the triumph of the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia. This revitalized Marxism and inspired the formation of communist parties committed to Marxism in many parts of the world.
Examples of Marxist Theory
Marxism as a theory focusing on societal classes, power structures, and economic systems has influenced various aspects of literature, movies, songs, and more. Here are some examples from Bollywood movies, books, songs, and poems:
Bollywood Movies:
"Mother India" (1957):
This classic Bollywood film often reflects Marxist themes through its depiction of the struggles of a rural woman against the exploitative class system and economic hardships.
Do Bigha Zamin" (1953):
This movie highlights the plight of a peasant in a feudal society, showcasing the unequal power dynamics and struggles of the working class.
Books:
"The God of Small Things" by Arundhati Roy:
This novel touches upon social and economic disparities in India, shedding light on the caste system, class struggles, and exploitation, reflecting some Marxist ideas.
"A Fine Balance" by Rohinton Mistry:
The book portrays the lives of marginalized people in India, emphasizing class struggles, labor exploitation, and the impact of socioeconomic hierarchies on individuals.
Songs:
"Mehngai Dayain" from the movie "Peepli Live":
This song addresses the issue of inflation and rising prices, pointing out the economic hardships faced by the common people due to systemic flaws, echoing some Marxist critiques of capitalism.
Ecocriticism
Eco-criticism in literature
Eco-criticism is a critical study in literature that investigates humanity's relationship to the environment. This can be found in many forms, including literature, film, or the arts. Ecocriticism aims to evaluate how humans interact with the natural world with the goal of improving how we treat the environment.
In recent years, eco-criticism has become linked to activism as the global ecological crisis becomes more prevalent and mainstream. Many eco-critical texts either critique how humanity treats the natural world or provide more compassionate and productive ways to coexist with nature.
Eco-critical texts can show humanity's relationship to nature in both positive and negative terms. Many modern eco-critical texts criticize Western society's approach to the environment and the ways in which humanity's duty as caretakers of the Earth has been neglected. The theory also operates in close collaboration with climate scientists and their findings.
Eco-criticism can be widely encompassing, with few characteristics in common between works, aside from a concerted interest in environmentalism. A key aim of the critical study is to contribute to the efforts to drastically improve humanity's relationship with the natural world.
History of ecocriticism
While scientific investigations into humanity's impact on the environment began in the 1930s, eco-criticism's history as a critical and literary theory began later. Rachel Carson's (1907-1964) Silent Spring (1962) is thought to have begun the literary eco-critical movement. Silent Spring investigated and criticized the use of pesticides in farming and the ways in which they can fundamentally damage the environment.
Pesticides had been found to be deeply destructive to the natural world, yet many people continued to use them regardless, as they served a purpose. Carson's novel sheds light on the dangers of pesticides and the human impact on the environment more broadly. It was the first literary text of its kind.
The term 'eco-criticism' was first coined by author William Rueckert (1926-2006) in his essay 'Literature and Ecology: An Experiment in Ecocriticism' (1978). The ecocriticism movement of the late twentieth century was marked by an appreciation of nature and all its beauty. The movement made a relatively strict distinction between the human world and the natural world, though it did attempt to eliminate this distinction. It promoted fighting for better environmental policy that would benefit the planet. Eco-criticism at this time was sometimes accused of lacking nuance.
In 2005, the prominent professor and critic Michael P. Cohen called for ecocriticism to become more wide-ranging and aware as a critical field. The changes that were called for have come to define the ways in which modern eco-criticism operates today. Recently, eco-criticism has become a much more critical discipline, particularly as the worldwide ecological crisis worsens.
It has drawn in elements of both feminism and postcolonialism, recognising that the climate crisis most often impacts the most marginalized groups. Earlier ecocriticism typically focused more on the Western world, which restricted the study's scope. Many experts think that those outside of the West, for example in Africa and Asia, will be the first ones impacted by climate change. Eco-criticism believes that this should be recognised and investigated in eco-critical texts.
Types of eco-criticism
As the field has expanded, various types of eco-criticism have surfaced and developed. Below are some key examples of these variations.
Pastoral ecocriticism
Pastoral ecocriticism mostly deals with texts based in the Western world. Pastoral literature usually has a rural setting which is heavily idealized.
Feminist ecocriticism
Feminist ecocriticism is one of the more common types of eco-criticism. Texts that fit under this genre tend to link the patriarchal subjugation of women to the subjugation of the natural world by humans.
Postcolonial ecocriticism
Postcolonial ecocriticism has become one of the most important types of eco-criticism in the last few decades. Environmental activists have begun to recognise that it is often postcolonial countries, like India, that will first feel the more devastating impacts of climate change. This is despite the fact that these countries are frequently the lowest contributors to pollution.
Examples of Ecocriticism
Ecocriticism explores the relationship between literature, films, or other artistic works and the environment. Here are examples across different mediums:
Movies:
1. "Avatar" (2009):
This film directed by James Cameron is often analyzed from an ecocritical perspective. It portrays the clash between industrialization and the environment, highlighting the exploitation of nature for corporate interests.
2. WALL-E" (2008):
An animated film that offers a futuristic depiction of environmental degradation caused by excessive consumerism and waste, promoting themes of conservation and responsibility towards the planet.
Poems:
1. "The Waste Land" by T.S. Eliot:
This influential modernist poem explores themes of environmental decay, societal breakdown, and the loss of connection to the natural world, reflecting on the impact of human actions on the environment.
2. "The Wild Swans at Coole" by W.B. Yeats:
Although not primarily an ecocritical poem, it reflects on themes of aging, change, and the cycles of nature, highlighting the beauty and impermanence of the natural world.
Novels:
1. "The Grapes of Wrath" by John Steinbeck:
This classic novel delves into the Dust Bowl era and the environmental devastation caused by drought and poor agricultural practices. It portrays the struggles of farmers and migrants during the Great Depression.
2. "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson:
A pioneering work in environmental literature, this non-fiction book serves as a catalyst for the modern environmental movement. Carson highlights the harmful effects of pesticides, advocating for environmental conservation and raising awareness about the impact of human activity on ecosystems.
These examples showcase how movies, poems, and novels can engage with ecological themes, raise environmental awareness, and prompt discussions about humanity's relationship with nature and its impact on the planet.
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