Marxist Literary Criticism: WTF? An Introduction to Marxism and Culture

In this latest episode of What The Theory?, I hope to provide an introduction to Marxism, culture and Marxist Literary Criticism and Theory. We're going to begin with the economic theories of Marx and Engels, particularly their base and superstructure approach to analysing societal structures. We'll then continue by looking at how these have informed a Marxist approach to literary theory but also how we can transpose these ideas into a wider Marxist cultural theory.
Having looked heavily at some precise, fundamental ideas such as Semiotics and Phenomenology as well as some very large concepts such as Modernism and Postmodernism in recent videos, this is the first video in a number of What the Theory videos in which I'm keen to look in between these at approaches to culture, criticism and theory which are far more tangible and useable for the analysis of cultural texts.
Further Reading
Marxism and Literature by Raymond Williams
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Marxism and Literary Criticism by Terry Eagleton
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[The above are affiliate links. I receive a small kickback from anything you buy which, in turn, helps to support the channel.]
If you've enjoyed this video and would like to see more including my What The Theory? series in which I provide some snappy introductions to key theories in the humanities as well as PhD vlogs in which I talk about some of the challenges of being a PhD student then do consider subscribing.
Thanks for watching!
Twitter: @Tom_Nicholas
Website: www.tomnicholas.com

[@Tom_Nicholas]

Hey all, cheers for watching! Keen to look at a few different, slightly more practical approaches to analysing culture in my next bunch of What The Theory videos. Suggestions for what those might be very much welcome! PS Yes, before you ask, deconstruction is on that list already!!

[@luismarban6360]

Tom Nicholas Walter Benjamin and Pop Culture

[@Tom_Nicholas]

Ooh, good shout! This is exactly why I always ask for suggestions, I'm not sure I'd have thought of this myself but that would make for a really great video! Particularly Benjamin and Adorno's thoughts on the "Culture Industry" and reproduction. I'm adding it to the list right away!

[@ellyreads4886]

@@Tom_Nicholas Dear Mr. Nicholas, thank you very much for this informative video. I am doing some research on an Egyptian short story by Bahaa Taher, and I have an inquiry about taking a Marxist approach to analyzing it. My question is that can I apply this approach if that short story is about an overbearing regime takes oppressive policies towards its subjects? And that I am handling the theme of freedom of speech pre and post-revolution? I am asking because, in this short story, the starting point seems more political than economic. If this can be extended to a broader discussion with you, I will be pleased to have it with you. My e-mail is:[e-mail]. Thanks in advance.

[@Pugetwitch]

Did you consider branching into humanities at all? 😁 I would love to hear what you think about the futurist and dada movements... Of course when interpreting art, that's a whole other world of semiotics to get into! 😉🤣🤘 I was once on my way to being a phd candidate, but then I dated an abuser and my life changed wildly for more than a bit. Your channel is inspiring me to return back to school again, not for radiology as I have intended, but for my original goal of obtaining a master's in philosophy. I've gone through a lot, from being homeless to dealing with an abusive ex, and now I've been diagnosed with Asperger's a few years ago (which is probably why I always excel in any academic endeavor and have a difficult time with succinct speech!) thanks again, you've inspired me a lot and given me hope for not just my own future, but for the future of our world.

[@willisplummer]

would love a video about psychoanalytic literary/cultural theory (lacan in particular) but just generally very curious about the utility of this approach

[@kendomyers]

5:25 If you want to look further into Marxist literature, just tap a sickle and hammer together 3 times in a mirror painted red while shouting "workers of the world unite," and Marx will appear to guide you to a worker's utopia

[@vatyin7763]

Marxism IS NOT utopian? He specifically called out utopian socialists, and developed a theory based on sound science. That sound science is called dialectical materialism. It is utopian to believe we can achieve infinite growth on a finite planet

[@kendomyers]

@@vatyin7763 Thank you internet. I was joking. Im well aware that Marx was not a utopian. That you wrote that sentence with a question mark is confusing.

[@derfettejoel7429]

God I wish

[@abibas3050]

@@vatyin7763 r/whoosh

[@Kevenruf]

Damn you sarcasm, got me again!

[@yellowunlimited]

I'm taking a degree which is much more heavy on theory than I had fully anticipated and these videos are such a brilliant introduction to the subject, especially your use of clear (to me) examples! thank you so much

[@bhagwatjoshi3353]

Thomas, this has been an amazing experience. You're a great teacher.

[@misandrist]

hi, thank you, this was really accessible and professional! Can't believe I've only just found your channel - you're criminally undersubbed!

[@nivedya4413]

You explained this way better than my professors ever could. The contemporary examples and the articulate explanation made this concept so much easier to comprehend. Thank you!

[@amyhernandez4407]

Thank you so much for these amazing videos!!! The production is amazing, the ideas are clear, and the explanations are concise. You are saving my academic life- Im a grad student and I’m often still confused after the reading. These clear everything up.

[@Marxism_Today]

This is absolutely excellent. Thank you very much for taking the time to post such helpful and mind-expanding content!

[@Tom_Nicholas]

Ah, cheers P.D. I uploaded it and, as always, instantly spotted a bunch of things I'd have done/said differently so it's always nice to get some supportive comments!

[@larab4999]

Very eloquently explained and insightful. Thanks for taking the time to make the video and share.

[@Tom_Nicholas]

Thanks for saying so Lara, I hope you found it helpful!

[@abdoullahbouhank904]

You're delightful Brother! That was well structure, clear, and informative. Keep up the exquisite work.

[@sunshinecervantes7113]

I like how simple you explain these theories! Been watching your vids regarding my readings in my Masters in Fine Arts. your vids have been really helpful!

[@norajohn6095]

I'm in tenth grade here in Australia, and I just wanted to say your videos have been a great help with my studies!

[@yaroslavdavletshin5675]

I liked that you offered a small reading list at the end! It would be nice if you could do that for all of your What the Theory videos.

[@mohamedlouchiri]

You have no idea how much this helped me! Thank you!

[@Pugetwitch]

DUDE. Thank you so much! this is saving me a lot of lip service when dealing with the centrist left here in the United States. I've already sent your video here to a couple of people, and I'm sure I'll be sending it to quite a few more as we get closer to our big Democratic primary on March 3rd.

[@danielalejandrovalcarce]

Thanks Thomas, I am using this for my students in Literature.

[@lexablack1997]

I watched this video and ended up subscribing right away. You have a great way of explaining the topics you present!

[@lex4943]

Awesome video thank you!! You have helped me so much with my literary theory course! Your videos are so engaging, clear, and informative!

[@danielbrissenden2555]

You are a very gifted speaker, and that presentation was both enlightening and subtle. Thank you! I look forward to seeing more...

[@miatillyard1520]

loved all of this series! Would be great to get some content on Deleuze and Guattari :)

[@claraianni]

Hi Tom! Thanks for the video. I am currently researching on the ideia os Gestus in brecht. Would ou have any recommendations of text about it? Thanks!

[@Tom_Nicholas]

Hi Clara, I'd say that Brecht's own writing (there's an English translation of much of it by John Willets collected in the book 'Brecht on Theatre' and I'd imagine its available in most languages) is actually highly accessible. There's an exercise he writes of which talks about having two actors smoking whilst trying to portray people from different social classes which is a good primer.

[@ruben.s.nunez.05]

Why aren't you more famous, great job, very clean and professional video

[@stultusdoesstuff8017]

you’re really helping with my ap literature class thanks!

[@kosttzan886]

I love that Nicolas is unbiased in his videos. This guy really cares about educating the masses and I love it.

[@dadikkedude]

He's not unbiased by any stretch of the imagination. He's very much left and doesn't even hide it. I'm not saying it's wrong, I like watching this perspective because I'm very interested in socialism and his broader perspective. The history from wich Marx and his ideas formed. He's very nuanced but don't fool yourself in thinking this is anything but a certain perspective.

[@kosttzan886]

@@dadikkedude I mean unbiased doesn't mean he doesn't have beliefs

[@nicoleolivia9897]

hi 👋 What does “superstructure legitimises economic base” mean? With emphasis on legitimises in this context and meaning?

[@LillianaNorthman]

So, I have been really struggling with this subject, (Lit Theory), which has been really frustrating for me, as typically anything to do with Lit comes easy, but your videos have been a huge help. I want to make sure I am understanding this right, I am going to be doing an Marxist analysis on "The Purloined Letter" and I am thinking of using the relationships between Dupin and the Inspector, the obligation of Dupin to help the inspector as he is of a higher class then Dupin, and the further obligation of Dupin to the Lady that had the letter stolen, as she is of the highest cast. Is that the right direction?

[@veronicaschuder5332]

Hey Tom! Your videos on literary theory are amazing. Could you explain New Historicism?

[@SuzieANDecho]

Hi Tom, in your Harry Potter example, could you say that this reading sees the text using a kind of cultural hegemony then? Or does hegemony need to be a conscious, intentional reinforcing of the economic base? Trying desperately to get my head around all of this! Thanks :)

[@Tom_Nicholas]

Cultural hegemony is a broader process to which a cultural text might contribute rather than something which an individual text "does". It certainly doesn't have to be intentional at all (and probably more often isn't than is), but we could perhaps say that the books/film contribute to that hegemony in some senses.

[@cdavis5859]

Question: could one view Romantic era literature (Blake, Wordsworth, etc) through a Marxist critical lense even though the content appears to criticize the economic base, not reinforce it? Or would we have to look at other content in those texts that actually conform to the superstructure influenced by the economic base?

[@kevinrung4178]

The answer to that is and-both. A thorough look at Romantic era text should be tested against each hypothetical criticism separately and together. Imo...

[@sabgerland5298]

Great video! Thank you so much for your very informative video on cultural studies!!

[@xiaodongwang7753]

I watch your videos and those of the Yale course on the same topics. Yours are 10 times better. You also outshine many other KZbinrs discussing classic and contemporary philosophies. May I also say that watching your videos has boosted my respect for Exeter and British English, an accent I had trouble with?😀

[@hannah1444]

really useful for my english coursework thank you!

[@Tom_Nicholas]

No worries Hannah, best of luck with the coursework!

[@anelmehinagic4121]

Beautiful explanation. Thank you very much.

[@Tom_Nicholas]

No worries, glad to be of service!

[@saltandiron3379]

Brilliant video! Thank you.

[@carolpadula3762]

I just started Literary and Cultural Analysis at the University of Amsterdam. Thank you for your videos!!! They are incredibly helpful. Have you done one on Postculturalism? Again, thank you!

[@natnolle5831]

Hi! Thank you very much for your videos! Finally, I have understood smth and managed my exams! You are cool!

[@Tom_Nicholas]

Thank you, hope the exams went well!

[@gsullivan3262]

very valuable and clear; thanks.

[@amiraaloui4913]

nice video! However I've been waiting for something on new historicism/cultural materialism 😅

[@Tom_Nicholas]

Ohhh, yes, great shout! I'm a big fan of the latter, not so much the former but should both make for great vids. I've got quite a long list of requests but will add both of these now!

[@brendab9043]

this made much sense very easy to understand and fun to listen to

[@shakespearaamina9117]

Thank you for your helpful educational videos

[@sgbh8874]

Hi .... Any chance of looking at Alan Sokal? Might be interesting.

[@MalchicaYan]

I have to write an essay about this topic for university. Thanks for the inspiration!

[@Tom_Nicholas]

Hope it's helped in some small way. Best of luck with the essay!

[@bundailsa2258]

Hey Tom, love your videos so much! I'm in a preparation for my PhD next year. I'm interest on absurdism, I currently studying many things from Nietszche, Beckett, Camus to postmodernism. My basic is theater. Do you have any thoughts about the relation between Marxism, culture text and theater? Hope to see your video about it. Cheers!

[@Tom_Nicholas]

Hey Firsty, glad you like the videos! I'd suggest that Marxist criticism subtly informs most contemporary theoretical approaches in some small way. Although I tend to approach theatre through a geographical lens, class and ideology are two concepts which come up in nearly everything I write. Best of luck with the PhD prep!

[@bundailsa2258]

Tom Nicholas Hi, Tom. Thank you for your reply, I really appreciate it. Yes, actually I'm also interested in those two concept you mentioned. Currently I'm studying about Brecht. What do you think about Brecht and Marxism? Do you have any writing about it?

[@Pugetwitch]

@@bundailsa2258 by the way, thanks. I had never heard of that gentleman before. 🤘

[@dikshabhatnagar93]

Hey Tom, it goes without saying that your videos are a great help. I love how you are able to articulate your videos and i really appreciate all teh effort you put in making them. Sidenote: You have beautiful eyes.

[@LogicGated]

Great video Tom!

[@seyiajibade9160]

Thank you for this beautiful video.

[@alpdesis805]

Could anybody help me on this question: What form of Marxism did cultural studies adopt?

[@effiegianitsos8926]

I’d love a video on Ecocriticism or Affect theory!

[@vijayrajkumawat9218]

Wonderful! But then what do you mean by 'casual viewers'? Thanks in advance!

[@balashiva90]

interesting and engaging... cheers....

[@madeyelashes]

Question: can it be considered structuralism and post-structuralism to be Marxists theories? Thank you for the videos!

[@tulae101]

That's why I didn't care for Harry Potter, the wizards were all inherently jerkish. Its rejection of nobility based on money is quickly replaced with a nobility based on intellect

[@Redouan_El_Moussaoui]

i really appreciate that bro thank you

[@ayoubhamid6167]

I cant believe that this video was made in 2018 anyway thank you lad you saved my semestre this year i hope that my professor will put this in the exam

[@MrSoBitchy]

Great great video, you're amazing, Tom

[@Tom_Nicholas]

Thanks for saying so, hope you found it helpful!

[@cluskey666]

Love your videos! Was kinda disapointed when you were explaining divine right to rule via the medievil tales of King Arthur & didn't mention Monty Python. "Strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government." But then you swing in with Harry Potter! ❤👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@yaqoobattal]

Wooow nice one. Keep it up

[@tamsinarnold8233]

can you do one on neoliberalism please?

[@Tom_Nicholas]

This is definitely, definitely on my list for the future! Not sure when I'll get round to it but definitely a video I want to make!

[@nahshonroche5060]

Love this series, wish you were my professor HAHAH

[@medqenmedness229]

Two words: Excellent video

[@Tom_Nicholas]

Four words: Thank you very much.

[@mohammedgouriach454]

I appreciate your knowledge you are a great guy concerning culture can you do a video about orientatism

[@Tom_Nicholas]

Thanks! Yes, a few people have asked for postcolonialism which is high up on my list but I perhaps may do a seperate one on orientalism too as that perhaps deserves its own video!

[@avamclaughlin7071]

love your content! i’m writing my undergrad thesis and you’ve been helpful!!!!

[@777PFP]

I would be happy to do your sound mastering for your video series. Feel free to message me and we can work out details and times. I have good references.

[@user-mr9xn1eg5o]

I do like it much appreciated ❤

[@newtalking3]

Thank you

[@mariak7055]

I absolutly LOVE this videos!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Turalcar]

6:00 I don't think medieval story of King Arthur is particularly relevant as it was significantly reworked in Regency and Victorian era.

[@Snafuski]

I think this sort of thing is cool..... It opens us up to critical thinking, which is desperately needed in these days...

[@Jay-vl3rv]

I need some help with an essay

[@Pugetwitch]

Feed your mind!

[@samirmahjoubitun6653]

Hey,From Tunisia

[@juliediouck3394]

ur saving me in college❤️

[@cyclonasaurusrex1525]

Good stuff

[@loismay-miller8576]

Onsind T-Shirt! Yeahhhh :D

[@cameronhodgkinson502]

I love onsind - fantastic band!

[@allypoum]

More excellent work. You are a natural. Get out there and teach!

[@Tom_Nicholas]

Thanks again, really appreciate your support! Any thoughts about topics I could cover in the future then let me know!

[@allypoum]

@@Tom_Nicholas How about a retrospective look at Raoul Vaneigem's work - particularly (the sadly still poorly-translated afaik) 'The Revolution of Everyday Life'? Perhaps looking at how some of it has dated - being a product of a 60's New Left sensibility - and how people like Mark Fisher have arguably brought his perspective up to date - at least until that period up to Mark's tragic death. I loved his (Vaneigem's) concept of 'radical subjectivity'!

[@Aug-qm2lb]

Very helpful thanku

[@Tom_Nicholas]

No worries!

[@soulaimanben-sbih939]

Well done maaaaaan

[@irish_20]

How about the Tragedy of JULIUS CAESAR? Is it considered using a Marxist literary theory???

[@zevhaworth]

tbh this video saved my life

[@malcolmwatt4866]

Culture is always a control issue. The idea is to control behavior, to illustrate acceptable and unacceptable behavior that has very little to with Marxist Class issues. It provides the imaginative context for the struggle of the inner self in relationship with others. It is a social activity that reflects the fundamental human dilemma of Good and Evil.

[@Tom_Nicholas]

Thanks for taking the time to comment. The rest of your comment kinda contradicts the first sentence though. Yes, there is an element to which culture has often been utilised as a means of control therefore it has everything to do with class because, as with most things in our society, those from "higher" class backgrounds continue to have more control over what cultural works get created and which don't.

[@malcolmwatt4866]

@@Tom_Nicholas It does kinda contradict. Yes in the present context Cultural expression is very much controlled simply because it is a business model that has to be satisfied. The goals of culture are all based on the discussion of our fundamental knowledge of Good and Evil to allow people to see it in all the social strata. Even that is a very modern or recent definition. Mind you culture also has it's just for the fun of it element.

[@charleschong7362]

I guess the question today is what happens to a culture that denies the existence of "good" or "evil".

[@samirmahjoubitun6653]

hey,from tunisia

[@nicolemerill7421]

Hi Tom, can you do Feminism

[@spicymayo777]

i don't ever comment on youtube videos, but this deserves one! this was so well done and really helped me understand Marxist literary criticism better than when my English prof explained it. many thanks!!!

[@Sam-or5vn]

we're passing our english classes today boys

[@nancywysemen7196]

lovely. i'm still waiting for my owl and my eletist future.....oh well.

[@eno_one4106]

3:19

[@paddyodoor3090]

George Bush the elder is the funniest way to say snr

[@DC-wg1cr]

Tom you're a g

[@defaultlogos2976]

While I never really cared for Marx beyond my considerations for his Theory of Value, nevertheless good video. I'm not a big fan of the literary arts(I hated english).

[@yesway]

Harry Potter was a secret billionaire, and being a billionaire in our world is the same as having magic in Harry Potter's world

[@stevenbosch429]

Arthur Miller had a unique view of the delineation between the structure and the economic base. While still an adolescent Arthur got into a serious discussion of Marxism. Miller told his father that essentially his dad was a worker. Even though he found the capital to run his coat business and his later enterprises he was a worker in that he assembled the materials and employed the workers and organized the whole mishagas to produce the product. His father didn't have the capital. he borrowed it from the banks at the rates that his credit allowed. It should be noted that the Daily Worker's drama critic condemned "Death of a Salesman" as capitalist theatre. In the play Willy is forced to go to his boss and pleads to be allowed to work in the company's show room in New York. Howard, the son of the founder who at least Willy remembers as naming the boy Howard at Willy's suggestion, is about the last man Willy should have asked for help. Howard has no idea how Willy and his family live on his salary and has even less interest. He condescends to his oldest employee and explains the business to him as he would have to a rank beginner. What troubles me is that at least the Daily Worker critic doesn't allow the audience, much less Miller, the freedom to empathize or hold any but the orthodox Marxist view. At least the American Communist Party had a lot of trouble holding on to artists. The only exception I've found is the novelist Howard Fast who joined after the government had begun prosecuting the party leadership in federal court.

[@katy9928]

Are you pyrocynical?

[@asisiphoguga195]

You are so cute.🥰🥰🥰

[@vrixphillips]

Harry Potter: more coins than Scrooge McDuck Ron Weasley: Poor as Dirt Harry: Wow that sucks, mind if I mooch off ur fam for a while? then again I never finished the series. someone plz tell me he bought them a house or gave them money or something like wtf

[@Tom_Nicholas]

Yeah, how Harry's parents got so much money is never really explained and neither is where it goes (he can't have much to spend it on as Hogwarts seems to provide all the students' meals and accommodation for free)... Actually, Harry doe buy Ron a bunch of sweets in the first book/film while on the Hogwarts Express so, you know, at least that's something...

[@vrixphillips]

@@Tom_Nicholas I'm actually surprised that he didn't flaunt his wealth to get a horde of friends after having spent years in a cupboard. I mean suddenly he's popular? Why wouldn't he want to make sure these people don't suddenly reject him and use his fortune to keep them interested in him? And that would be an interesting plot as well, finding out that people might be his friends /only/ for his money, not because he's a good person. Or that he doesn't need to do all that to keep people near and that his aunt and uncle are not, in fact, the norm. But no. lol

[@vrixphillips]

@@Tom_Nicholas Oh! btw, thanks for all the hard work on this channel! I found it thanks to my professor who sent me your video on Semiotics :)

[@robertlopez4325]

I]s it that hard to explain what Eagleton's up to? The prolificness, the self-plagiarism, the snappy, highly consumable prose and, of course, the sales figures: Eagleton wishes for capitalism's demise, but as long as it's here, he plans to do as well as he can out of it. Someone who owns three homes shouldn't be preaching self-sacrifice, and someone whose careerism at Oxbridge was legendary shouldn't be telling interviewers of his longstanding regret at having turned down a job at the Open University

[@leekimjinyoon4473]

Vomits*