Class struggle

Definition

Class struggle refers to the conflict of interests between different social classes, particularly the struggle between the working class (proletariat) and the owning class (bourgeoisie). This concept emphasizes how economic disparities and social hierarchies lead to tensions and conflicts that shape society and influence cultural production, including literature. In literary contexts, class struggle serves as a lens through which texts can be analyzed for themes of power, inequality, and resistance, revealing deeper societal issues.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Class struggle is a central theme in Marxist literary theory, which posits that literature reflects the interests and conflicts of different social classes.
2. In many novels from the 19th and 20th centuries, class struggle manifests through character interactions that reveal economic disparities and social tensions.
3. Class struggle has been portrayed as both a driving force in narratives and a backdrop for character motivations, shaping plot developments.
4. Post-war literature often examines the aftermath of class struggles, highlighting issues like social justice, equity, and the consequences of economic policies.
5. In postcolonial literature, class struggle is intertwined with colonialism's legacy, showcasing how class dynamics evolve in newly independent nations.

Review Questions

• How does class struggle influence character development in literary works?
  • Class struggle deeply influences character development by creating conflicts that drive characters' motivations and choices. For example, characters from the working class may face obstacles imposed by wealthier characters, leading to themes of resistance or submission. This dynamic often reveals personal struggles that parallel broader societal issues related to economic disparity and power imbalance, enriching the narrative.
• Analyze how the theme of class struggle is represented in the rise of the novel as a genre.
  • The rise of the novel as a literary form coincided with significant social changes during the 18th and 19th centuries, including industrialization and urbanization. Novels began to depict the lives of everyday people and their struggles against oppressive systems, illustrating class disparities in detail. Through realistic portrayals of working-class experiences versus bourgeois lifestyles, authors highlighted the inherent tensions within society, making class struggle a pivotal theme that resonated with readers.
• Evaluate the impact of class struggle on post-war literature and its reflection on contemporary societal issues.
  • Post-war literature often reflects on class struggle by addressing themes like economic inequality, social justice movements, and the fallout from war-torn societies. Authors use narratives to critique existing power structures and highlight marginalized voices that challenge the status quo. This exploration offers insights into contemporary societal issues such as labor rights and systemic inequalities, making class struggle relevant to ongoing discussions about equity and justice in today's world.

Related terms

Proletariat: The working class in society who do not own the means of production and must sell their labor to survive.

Bourgeoisie: The capitalist class who own the means of production and exploit the labor of the proletariat for profit.

Dialectical Materialism: A philosophical approach that argues material conditions (economic and social factors) shape societal development and human consciousness, often used to analyze class struggle.