Marxist Literary Theory and Historical Materialism

Historical Materialism and Infrastructure

Marxist literary criticism is created from ideas objectified by the likes of Karl Marx, which is currently less prevalent following the fall of socialism. Marxist materialism is based on Platonic concepts, which it analyzes from the standpoint of infrastructure. Every culture and every society has a specific way of producing and distributing goods; therefore, their perception of ideas—including morality, law, and art—will also be different. This perception depends on the infrastructure, which corresponds to the Platonic world of sense. This theory is known as historical materialism.

The Relationship Between Art and Society

The world of Platonic ideas is identified with the ideological superstructure of Marx, which reflects the sensible world, or the infrastructure. Marxist literary reading will give rise to realism.

Socialist Realism and Plekhanov

Georgi Plekhanov argues that art and society are compatible. It follows that the bourgeoisie is in decline and that socialist realism (a theory advocated by Plekhanov) calls for sympathy between the artist and the proletariat.

Georgi Lukács and Critical Realism

Another important theorist, Georgi Lukács, was a Hungarian defender of critical realism. This realism is based on the difference between the representation of reality and reality itself. This representation should reflect what would cause society to progress, a concept called the typical. According to the Hungarian theorist, one must cultivate a variety of genres and also create new ones as a means of advocacy, without contradicting the original expression.

Bertolt Brecht and the Epic Theater

Lukács criticized his fellow teacher Bertolt Brecht with formal charges that were reciprocal. In his work, Brecht engages the viewer through the technique of estrangement, consisting of representing things that come out of the ordinary to surprise the audience and get their attention.

The Technique of Estrangement

This technique is also used for revolutionary purposes; so, in this sense, the formal accusation is unfounded. His theater is called epic because of the effect produced by his works. This effect is intended to be modified by the history of art as art shows. However, the viewer is liable to fall into the mistake of believing that the work is life itself.

Modern Literary Paradigm

This framework establishes a modern literary paradigm for understanding the intersection of creative expression and socio-economic structures.