MARXIST

Group 4
“From each according
to their ability, to
each according to
their needs"

- Karl Marx
DEFINITION OF MARXISM
Marxism is a socio-political theory
Marxism is a social, economic and political philosophy that analyses
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.
Marxist criticism focuses on the social and economic context within
the text
 ORIGIN AND KEY FIGURES
– Marxism originated in the 19th century and was developed by Karl Marx
and Friedrich Engels. Karl Marx, a German philosopher and economist, is
considered the main figure behind Marxism. Friedrich Engels, a German
philosopher and social scientist, collaborated with Marx and co-authored
several influential works on Marxism, including "The Communist Manifesto"
and "Das Kapital." These key figures laid the foundation for Marxist theory
and its principles of class struggle, historical materialism, and the critique of
capitalism.
II. CORE CONCEPTS
A. PHILOSOPHICAL ANTHROPOLOGY
• Marxism incorporates a philosophical anthropology that
examines the nature of human beings within a social and
economic context. It explores the relationship between
individuals and society, emphasizing the influence of social
structures and economic systems on human behavior and
development.
B. THEORY OF HISTORY
The theory of history in Marxism posits that historical development is
driven by class struggle and the conflict between different social
classes. According to Marx, society progresses through a series of
stages, each characterized by a dominant mode of production and
corresponding class relations. This theory emphasizes the role of
economic factors in shaping social relations and historical change.
C. ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL PROGRAM
The economic and political program of Marxism revolves around the
idea of achieving a classless society and addressing the inherent flaws
of capitalism. Marxism also emphasizes the importance of workers'
rights, equality, and social justice. The political aspect of Marxism aims
to establish a dictatorship of the proletariat, where the working class
holds political power and governs society.
 III. IMPACT OF MARXISM
A. INFLUENCE ON COUNTRIES
– Marxism had a significant influence on various countries around the
world. It has been a driving force behind socialist and communist
movements in different regions. Some countries, such as China, Cuba,
and Vietnam, have implemented Marxist-inspired economic and political
systems. The influence of Marxism can be seen in their social policies,
land reforms, and state-controlled economies.

B. RELEVANCE IN SOCIOLOGY
• provides a critical analysis of capitalist societies
• emphasizes the role of social structures and economic systems in
shaping individuals and society
• used to examine global society and the practices of transnational
corporations
IV. CONCLUSION
A. SUMMARY OF MARXISM
– Marxism, developed by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, aims to create a classless
society by eliminating private ownership and advocating for workers' rights. It
analyzes the relationship between individuals and society, emphasizes the role of
class struggle in history, and proposes a socialist economic and political program.
Marxism has influenced countries worldwide and remains relevant in sociology for
its analysis of capitalism and social structures. However, criticisms and debates exist
regarding its applicability in modern contexts.
 B. ITS RELEVANCE TODAY

Marxist continues to be relevant today in various ways.

Here are a few points to consider :
1. ECONOMIC INEQUALITY
2. SOCIAL JUSTICE MOVEMENTS
3. CRITIQUE OF CAPITALISM
4. GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE
5. ACADEMIC DISCOURSE
 Cinderella
Once upon a time, there was a beautiful and kind girl named Cinderella. She used to live with her cruel
step-mother and step-sisters. She was treated like a servant at home. She used to perform all the
household chores including cleaning the house, ironing clothes, etc.

One day, a letter came to their house. It was an invitation to the royal ball. The King and the Queen
wanted their son to choose his bride and that’s why everyone in the kingdom was invited. Girls of the
entire kingdom were excited about the ball. Cinderella’s step-mother instantly commanded new ball
gowns for herself and her daughters. Cinderella worked hard to finish the stitching of the gowns. With the
remains of the threads and beads from the gowns of her sisters, Cinderella prepared a gown for herself
as well.

On the day of the royal ball, when the step-mother and step-sisters were about to leave, they saw
Cinderella in the gown. The two sisters got jealous. They tore her gown, pulled off the beads and left for
the ball.

Cinderella began to cry but she was amazed to see a fairy in front of her eyes. The fairy said, “I am your
Fairy Godmother. I know you wish to join the ball. Don’t worry, I will help you.”
She then waved her magic wand and transformed Cinderella’s torn dress into a
mesmerizing ball gown. Then she turned a Pumpkin into a huge coach. Also, she turned
six mice into four horses and two coachmen. Everything was set.

But with all of this, came a warning: As soon as the clock ticks midnight, the magic spell
would wear off.

The moment she entered the ballroom, everyone was struck by her charm. Even the
Prince fell for her at once. He came and asked her for a dance. Cinderella’s happiness
knew no bounds. They danced and talked for the entire evening until Cinderella realized
the time approaching midnight. She ran away from the ballroom.

As she was running, one of her glass slippers dropped on the stairs of the palace. At
midnight, everything from the coach to the coachmen transformed back to its original state
– pumpkin and mice. She was again in that torn dress.
Sometime later, her step-mother and step-sisters arrived home. They were still shocked by the
beautiful girl in the ballroom. The Prince had fallen in love with Cinderella the moment, he set his
eyes on her but was completely unaware of who she was! He wished to marry her. As soon as he
found the glass slipper, he went in search of the foot that fits that slipper.

The Prince and his servants looked for the girl in every house. Finally, they reached Cinderella’s
house. The step-sisters tried hard to fit their foot in the slipper but were unable to do so. The
Prince then asked Cinderella to try the slipper.

The step-mother made fun of Cinderella by saying that she’s a servant so she can’t be that
beautiful girl at the ball. But the Prince insisted that she should also give it a try. When she slid
her feet inside the slipper, it fit her perfectly.

The Prince finally found the girl he was looking for. They got married and lived happily ever after.
 Guide Questions:

1. What is the economic status of the character?

2. What happens to them as a result of this status?
3. How do they fare against economic and political odds?
4. What other conditions stemming from their class does the writer emphasize?
(e.g., poor education, poor nutrition poor healthcare, inadequate opportunity)
5. To what extent does the work fail by over looking the economic, social and
political implications of its material?
6. In what other ways does economic determinism affect the work? How should
readers consider the story in today's modern economic setting (nationally,
globally, etc.)?
7.What social classes do the characters represent?
8.How do characters from different classes interact or conflict?
1. Cinderella's economic status is impoverished. She lives with her cruel step-mother and
step-sisters, who treat her as a servant and exploit her for labor without providing her with
any financial support or opportunities.
2. As a result of her impoverished status, Cinderella is subjected to mistreatment and
exploitation by her step-family. She is denied access to basic necessities and
opportunities, such as proper clothing and the chance to attend the royal ball.
3. Cinderella faces significant economic and political odds, as her impoverished status
leaves her powerless and vulnerable to exploitation by her step-family. Despite these
challenges, she demonstrates resilience and courage, ultimately overcoming adversity to
pursue her dreams.
4. The writer emphasizes the harsh conditions stemming from Cinderella's lower-class
status, including her lack of access to education, proper nutrition, healthcare, and
opportunities for advancement. Cinderella's economic status also dictates her social
standing and limits her prospects for a better life.
5. The work does not overlook the economic, social, and political implications of its material.
Instead, it serves as a fairy tale allegory that highlights the injustices and hardships faced by
marginalized individuals in society, while also celebrating the triumph of kindness, resilience, and
inner strength.
6. Economic determinism is a central theme in the story, as Cinderella's economic status shapes
her experiences and influences her interactions with others. Readers can consider the story in
today's modern economic setting by reflecting on issues of social inequality, systemic injustice,
and the importance of empathy and compassion for those less fortunate.
7. The characters in "Cinderella" represent different social classes, with Cinderella herself
belonging to the lower class, while her step-mother and step-sisters represent a higher social
class. The Prince represents royalty and privilege.
8.Characters from different classes interact through power dynamics, exploitation, and the pursuit
of social advancement. Cinderella's step-family exploits her labor for their own benefit, while the
Prince seeks to transcend social barriers to find true love. Ultimately, the story highlights the
conflicts and tensions that arise from social inequality and the disparity of opportunity.
 The Necklace
Mathilde Loisel is a pretty woman who is married to a clerk who works in the Ministry of Education. They
do not have much money, and Mathilde spends her days fantasizing that her life is more glamorous and
upmarket than it actually is.

When her husband is invited to a ball hosted by the minister for whom he works, he is keen for them both
to attend, but Mathilde tells him she has nothing to wear to such a high-class social occasion. He tells
her he will buy her a nice dress, even though it will mean sacrificing his own pleasure.

Then, Mathilde becomes worried that she has no jewels to wear with the dress. Loisel, her husband,
suggests she ask her friend, Madame Forestier, if she has something she will lend to Mathilde for the
night. Madame Forestier is happy for her friend to borrow whatever she wants, and Mathilde chooses a
diamond necklace.

Mathilde enjoys the ball, and especially likes all of the attention she attracts from the men in attendance.
When they are due to leave, at four in the morning, they go outside and try to find a cab to take them
home. When they arrive home, however, Mathilde is horrified to discover she has lost the necklace!
Loisel retraces their steps but cannot find the lost necklace anywhere. They realise that they will have to replace
the necklace, whatever the cost. To buy them some time, they compose a letter to Madame Forestier, claiming
that they are having the necklace repaired. They then try to find out where the necklace was made, and have to
buy the clasp and the diamonds from separate jewellers.

Loisel racks up thousands of francs in debt, borrowing from friends and from professional moneylenders to raise
the cash. They finally have the necklace, which is returned to Madame Forestier, but now they have to pay back
the money to all of their creditors.

This takes them ten long years. They dismiss their servant girl and Mathilde has to perform all of the housework,
which ages her rapidly. Loisel, meanwhile, takes on a second job, working for a merchant in the evenings. Finally,
though, their debts are cleared.

One day, Mathilde bumps into Madame Forestier, who doesn’t recognise her at first because her friend looks so
poor and haggard. Now the debt is paid off, Mathilde feels she can tell her friend the truth, and confesses that she
lost her friend’s necklace and she and her husband had to buy a replacement.

In a twist, Madame Forestier tells her friend that the necklace she lent Mathilde was made of imitation diamonds,
and was virtually worthless. Mathilde and her husband had spent ten years toiling away for no reason.
 Guide Questions:

1. What is the economic status of the character?

2. What happens to them as a result of this status?
3. How do they fare against economic and political odds?
4. What other conditions stemming from their class does the writer emphasize?
(e.g., poor education, poor nutrition poor healthcare, inadequate opportunity)
5. To what extent does the work fail by over looking the economic, social and
political implications of its material?
6. In what other ways does economic determinism affect the work? How should
readers consider the story in today's modern economic setting (nationally,
globally, etc.)?
7.What social classes do the characters represent?
8.How do characters from different classes interact or conflict?
1. The economic status of Mathilde Loisel is lower-middle-class. She and her husband struggle
to make ends meet, living in a modest apartment and facing financial constraints.
2. As a result of their economic status, Mathilde and her husband experience significant
hardships. Mathilde's desire for a more glamorous lifestyle leads her to borrow a necklace
from her wealthy friend, setting off a chain of events that results in financial ruin and years
of struggle to repay debts.
3. Mathilde and her husband fare poorly against economic odds, as their efforts to improve
their social standing ultimately backfire, leading to increased financial burden and hardship.
4. The writer emphasizes the conditions stemming from their lower-class status, including
limited access to luxury items, the need to borrow for special occasions, and the subsequent
struggles to repay debts. Additionally, the story highlights the toll of their economic
situation on their physical and emotional well-being, such as Mathilde having to perform all
housework after dismissing their servant girl and her rapid aging as a result of the stress and
labor.
5.The work does not overlook the economic, social, and political implications of its material.
Instead, it serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of vanity, materialism, and dishonesty,
showcasing the devastating consequences of striving beyond one's means.
6.Economic determinism plays a significant role in the story, as Mathilde's desire for social
status drives her decisions and ultimately leads to her downfall. Readers can consider the story
in today's modern economic setting by reflecting on the dangers of consumerism, debt, and the
pursuit of status in a society driven by material wealth.
7.Mathilde and her husband represent the lower-middle-class, while Madame Forestier
represents the upper class. The stark contrast between their economic statuses drives the
central conflict of the story.
8.Characters from different classes interact through borrowing and lending, with Mathilde
relying on Madame Forestier's generosity. However, there is also a conflict born out of
deception, as Mathilde hides the loss of the borrowed necklace from Madame Forestier, leading
to strained relations between them.
THANKYOU
Any Question?