Literary criticism involves the reading, interpretation, and

commentary of a specific text or texts which have been

designated as literature.
Literary theory intends to explain or demystify some
of the assumptions or values implicit in literature and
literary criticism.
LITERARY CRITICISM
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explain the basic analyze how Marxist apply Marxist lens in

principles of Marxism theory reflect on the interpreting the song
and how they apply to Text “Les Miserable”. “Do You Hear the People
literature Sing”?

LITERARY CRITICISM
Unscramble the letters to form the correct word
suggested by the pictures
E P W O R
Hurry! The clock is ticking.
P O W E R
V E P T O R Y
Hurry! The clock is ticking.
P O V E R T Y
N E I S T U C I J
Hurry! The clock is ticking.
I N J U S T I C E
C R A B R I D A E
Hurry! The clock is ticking.
B A R R I C A D E
E V T L O R O U I N
Hurry! The clock is ticking.
R E V O L U T I O N
S I A L O C
C A S L S
S O C I A L
C L A S S
Q Y E U T A I L I N
Hurry! The clock is ticking.
I N E Q U A L I T Y
power barricade

poverty revolution
social inequality
injustice class
power - the ability to do something

not having enough money to

poverty - meet basic needs

injustice - lack of fairness or justice

 - an improvised barrier
barricade constructed across a street

- a forcible overthrow of a
revolution government or social order
- a group of people within a society
social who possess the same
class socioeconomic status
 - the unfair situation in society
when some people have more
inequality opportunities, money, etc. than
other people
 • Have you experienced injustice before?
How did you deal with it?
• Did you remain silent or did you protest?

LITERARY CRITICISM
 “an expression of contemporary
class struggle"

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 • It is based on the political and
economic theories of Karl Marx
(1818-1883).
• Some representatives of this
school are Christopher Caudwell,
George Lucas, Luciene
Goldmann, and Walter Benjamin
LITERARY CRITICISM
 • It is based on the political and
economic theories of Karl Marx
(1818-1883).
• Some representatives of this
school are Christopher Caudwell,
George Lucas, Luciene
Goldmann, and Walter Benjamin
LITERARY CRITICISM
 Born: May 5, 1818
Died: March 14, 1883

Philosopher, Social Theorist, and

Economist
• Economic structure is the main
driving force behind all social
conditions and historical
changes.
LITERARY CRITICISM
 Born: May 5, 1818
Died: March 14, 1883
Philosopher, Social Theorist, and Economist
• The oppressed workers would become
alienated and ultimately overthrow the
owners to take control of the means of
production themselves, ushering in a classless
society.
LITERARY CRITICISM
 • Marx considers human history as a
series of struggles between classes
-between the oppressed and the
oppressors.
• Literature is a reflection of culture,
and that culture can be influenced
by literature.

• Marxists believe literature can

instigate revolution.
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 • It is not the consciousness of men
that determines their existence, but
their social existence that determines
their consciousness

LITERARY CRITICISM
 • Marxist theory argues that the way
we think and the way we experience
the world around us are conditioned
by the way the economy is organized.

LITERARY CRITICISM
• CLASS STRUGGLE - Marx's theory
is based on conflict, specifically
conflict between the working class
and the middle class

LITERARY CRITICISM
• It focuses on power struggles of the
characters.
• This concerns class differences,
economic, as well as the
implications and complications of
the capitalist system.
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• Marxist critics are also interested in
how the lower or working classes
are oppressed in everyday life and
in literature.

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LITERARY CRITICISM
• BOURGEOISIE - the middle class,
those who hold the means of
production and so have power
• PROLETARIAT - the working
masses, those who do not hold
power
LITERARY CRITICISM
• CAPITALISM - an economic system
that benefits few
• IDEOLOGY - the norms and values
that justify the capitalist system

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Marxist Approach
Guide Questions

1. How do issues of social class and

economic status affect the characters and
events in the text?
2. Are characters aware of the economic and
political forces that are acting on them?
LITERARY CRITICISM
Marxist Approach
Guide Questions

3. What ideological assumptions about class

and economic status does this work make?
4. In what ways does this work either
challenge or support the class or political
structures it describes?
LITERARY CRITICISM
Marxist Approach
Guide Questions

5. What social classes do the characters

represent?
6. How do characters from different classes
interact on conflict?

LITERARY CRITICISM
How was Rizal’s novels
“Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo” mirror the
social conditions and
classes of the Filipino
people?
LITERARY CRITICISM
• The primary cause of the French Revolution was the
dissatisfaction of the common people with the absolute
monarchy of King Louis XVI. Other causes include
economic inequality and social injustice.

• The French Revolution began on July 14, 1789,

with the storming of the Bastille.

LITERARY CRITICISM
 Long Term:
• Expenses of the king and queen
• Cost of war (Louis decided to
join USA)
• Taxation was unfair
• Enlightenment
• Growing contempt in 2nd and
3rd estates
LITERARY CRITICSM
 Short Term:
• poor harvest and high bread
prices
• Financial crisis of the 1780s
• Spanish civil wars (influential)

LITERARY CRITICSM
Victor Hugo (born February 26,
1802, Besançon, France—died
May 22, 1885, Paris) poet,
novelist, and dramatist who was
the most important of the
French Romantic writers. Though
regarded in France as one of that
country’s greatest poets, he is
better known abroad for such
novels as Notre-Dame de
Paris (1831) and Les
Misérables (1862).
 Read the excerpt of the story “ Les
Miserables” by Victor Hugo. Answer the 15
items questions on ¼ sheet of paper. Then
ready to critique the text in the lens of
Marxist through the guide questions.

LITERARY CRITICISM
 1. How does Victor Hugo's "Les Misérables" reflect
the class struggle, a key concept in Marxist theory?
2. How does the economic status of Jean Valjean at
the beginning and end of the novel reflect the Marxist
theory of class struggle?
3. In what ways does the character of Fantine
embody the concept of alienation as described by
Marx?
LITERARY CRITICISM
 4. How does the novel portray the bourgeoisie and their
relationship with the proletariat, and how does this resonate
with Marx's theory of exploitation?
5. How do the themes of revolution and rebellion in Les
Miserables reflect Marx's belief in the necessity of a
proletarian revolution?
6. How does the transformation of Jean Valjean from a
criminal to a benefactor critique the capitalist system and its
effects on the individual, as viewed from a Marxist
perspective?
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LITERARY CRITICISM
 Do you hear the people sing?
Singing a song of angry men?
It is the music of a people
Who will not be slaves again!
When the beating of your heart
Echoes the beating of the drums
There is a life about to start
When tomorrow comes!

Will you join in our crusade?
Who will be strong and stand with me?
Beyond the barricade
Is there a world you long to see?
Then join the fight.
That will give you the right to be free?
Will you give all you can give
So that our banner may advance
Some will fall and some will live
Will you stand up and take your
chance?
The blood of the martyrs
Will water the meadows of France
 1. How does the song “Do you hear
the people sing?” reflect Marxist
ideas of class struggle and
revolution?

LITERARY CRITICISM
2. What role do the oppressed masses
play in the song and how does this
relate to Marxist concepts of the
proletariat?

LITERARY CRITICISM
3. How do the lyrics of the song illustrate
the Marxist belief that a revolution is
necessary to overthrow the ruling class
and establish a more just society?

LITERARY CRITICISM
4. What is the implication of the barricade
that is mentioned in the song?

5. Is revolution a necessary means of

achieving social and economic equality?
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6. What is the implication of the
barricade that is mentioned in the
song?

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7. In what ways does the song emphasize
the collective power of the people and the
importance of solidarity in achieving
revolutionary goals, as seen in Marxist
theory?

LITERARY CRITICISM
8. What is the implication of the
lines “ Will you stand up and take
your chance? The blood of the
martyrs will water the meadows of
France”?
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9. Is revolution a necessary means
of achieving social and economic
equality?

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10. Was the social gap between the
poor and the rich was solved
through revolution? Is the economic
problem and the social class
problem relevant in our time?
LITERARY CRITICISM
As you receive the copy of the quiz,
make sure to read each item
carefully before you write your
answer.

LITERARY CRITICISM