TERRY EAGLETON

MARXISM AND LITERARY

CRITICISM
CHANDRASMITA BORGOHAIN
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH, DARRANG
COLLEGE
 ABOUT THE CRITIC

• Terence Francis Eagleton, (Terry) was an English Literary

theorist and critic of the 19th as well as 20th century literature.
• His works based on the specialties of literary and cultural
theory, and the English language literature and culture.
• Terry Eagleton is known for his books of literary criticism
including Literary Theory: An Introduction(1983) and After
Theory(2003).
• He was a Marxist thinker, a critic of his generation. His
contribution to Marxist cultural theory is broad.
Introduction to Marxism and Literary Criticism

• Marxism and Literary Criticism was published in

1976.

• Eagleton examines how Marxist philosophy

influence literature emphasizing the role of
ideology, class and power.

• The book consist of four chapters:

 Literature and history
• What is Marxist criticism?
Marxist criticism is an approach that looks at the social and
economic conditions that influence the creative processes
behind a text.
The central idea of Marxism is that society is structured
around the economic activity of a society.
• It is based on the teachings of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels.
• Social Realism
• External approach
• Eagleton examines the notion of ‘SOCIOLOGY OF
LITERATURE’ . Sociology of literature is one of the
important aspects of Marxist criticism. It deals with explaining
of a literary work more fully. This also includes the study of
form, style and meaning of literary works.
• Eagleton begins his discussion with the Marxist metaphor – “
Base and Superstructure” .
• Marx argues that productive force and social relation form the
economic structure of a society. This economic structure was
called “ BASE”. From this Base emerges Superstructure.
• It comprises certain forms of social consciousness like
religion, ethical value , aesthetic theory. The ruling class uses
this form of superstructure to legitimize its mode of economic
production .
 Literature and ideology
• Marx called this strategy of ruling class as
ideology. “Art and literature” are part of
Superstructure.
They are the product of complex relation
between base and superstructure.
Therefore if we want to understand
literature , we must understand it as part of
the total social process. This is where
 Form and Content
• Form-structure, technique, aspects
• Content-characters, themes, setting
• Eagleton accept orthodox Marxist approach,
which refers to the interlinking and
inseparation of form and content
• Karl Marx and Engel believed , “every specific
content determines that form which is
suitable for it”
• Marxism criticism oppose all kinds of literary
forms”
 Form and Ideology
“when societal ideas become change”
Theory of Genetic Structuralism by George Lukacs Goldman
Lukacs was concerned about literary text structure
• Where it belong to
Id
• Social class logical manner

ea
• Author belong to its text

Ar
Genetic Structuralism
w s,t t
or ho fo
k ug rm
ht
Pierre Machery “Decentred Form”

People value
ideas
Text

Silence &
gaps is called Literature never
Decentred
form
showcase
complete picture
of society which
results in gaps
Author portrays
and silences
 The writer and commitment
• Realism
W W
ar reality ar
literature

• Agreed to Russian Philosopher

• “Literature is not mirror of society”- Eagleton
 Author as Producer
Writer Labours

work for capitalist

Publishers

Art is not for selling , Art should be considered

as social work