A Response to Christopher Craig

I especially enjoyed Craig's comments on the American trend to wear Che Guevara logos, and how those products are made in America - a capitialist country, selling clothing and other merchandise, which honors a radical socialist. He is an image of what America fears and despises most: a radical activist and revolutionary fighting for socialist values. America wants to execute or dispose of anyone who acts out against capitialism or any threat against corporate America. And then people wear his face on t-shirts that were made by American corporations.

His blog also somewhat confused me at the end when he was talking about Shakespeare. Or, it wasn't so much what he wrote that confused me, it just sounded somewhat contradictory to what we learned in class. I am still struggling with understanding Marxist criticism. I understand what Marxism is, but when it discussed from a critical theory perspective - I get lost.

In class I thought we were told that it isn't about analyzing social class through one individual text, that it was more about the production of texts as a whole. But, I most likely didn't grasp what was being said because now that I am reading what I'm writing, it really doesn't make any sense not to analyze an individual text from a Marxist perspective.

"Through this critical process, they can show how the values and interests of the dominant class are not universal but repressive, intended to keep the power relations between the ruling and working classes one-sided." I love this comment for many reasons. First, I just excited when literature emphasizes how authoritative and repressive the dominant class is. Also, it really helped me understand the point of Marxist criticism because I've read Shakespeare, so I can take the text, then take what he wrote about it (especially this quote), and see what exactly a Marxist analysis looks like.

On a different note, I'm excited we are moving away from Marxism and into Structuralism. What I have read so far in the Barry book, it seems much easier to understand and I think I already have a strong grasp on analyzing literature from a structuralist perspective.

But then this all seems so trivial at some points, when I really think about it - because, why can't critics and readers simply critique and analyze texts from all different perspectives, or a variety of perspectives, then all compile what has been learned for a more broad and interesting perspective? At times I feel as though literary criticism is a race, or a contest, and becomes more about analyzing the text "correctly" then it is about actually appreciating the text. But then again maybe they don't want the text to be appreciated! I don't know. The semester is young. I hope I get a better grasp on these concepts, because, like I have said before - they are very interesting, but sometimes just take on a life of their own.

Exploring Marxism

What I got from the reading on Marxism was one’s social class inevitably affects the lens through which the individual perceives the world. Therefore, any creation designed by an individual will reflect their class status. This differs from what was learned concerning liberal humanism because when one does a close reading of a text as a liberal humanist, they are focusing on the form and technique of the text and that is it. They do not analyze a text by ways of social status influence like the Marxist thinker does.

What I thought was most interesting was Marx’s biography at the beginning of the reading, and that he had a poor upbringing in terms of social class. His personal experience most likely played an important role in the development of his philosophies. I wish to investigate this further.

What was also interesting was the material on Leninist Marxism. I read that section as yet another example of how a government oppresses its people – taking Marxism and limiting its potential and value. Creativity and expression is a right of every individual in my opinion, and Leninist Marxism is a tainted development of Marxism.

This week’s reading has influenced the way in which I have been reading material for my other classes. For example, in my Modern American Writers class, we recently finished the book, The Rise of Silas Lapham. To briefly summarize this novel, it is about the Lapham family who makes a fortune from selling mineral paint and moves from a small town in Vermont to Beacon Street in Boston.

This story is set in the late 1800’s, a time period when there was a struggle and hostility between the “old rich” and the “new rich.” The Laphams would be an example of new rich because they started off poor, yet made millions selling paint and now can live in high class Boston. They desperately want to fit in, especially the father, who slowly realizes throughout the book that money does not immediately able one to fit in. Even though he is as rich as his neighbors, he does not have the social mannerisms and experience of the old rich, therefore acts like a fool when trying to be accepted by his peers. The book is an analysis of social class through the development of Mr. Silas Lapham’s character throughout the story – so a Marxist would say.

Although at times it can give me a slight headache, I am truly enjoying the reading material for this class. There is something very appealing about learning how one chooses to analyze a text. Although at times I feel as though I am critiquing the criticism of critics, which seems pointless, I am beginning to see why critical theory is important and useful. I am excited to see what the future brings.

An Introduction For What Is Ahead

There is a spider web that spreads over 200 yards in a Northern Texas park.
Specators who saw it's beauty in its beginning stages commented on how white it was - like a massive blanket of snow covering this Texan park. As time goes on, it has taken on a brownish tint from all the mosquitoes who have come to their death because of this web. A million empty corpses. A million victims who are left waiting for death.
A local claims there are times when the screams of the millions of mosquitoes caught in this web can be heard.
I can only imagine what it must be like to gaze upon this phenomenon.

I have never used a blog before. I hardly use a computer besides for writing papers, so to be honest, at first I was a little frustrated this would be part of the course I am taking. I do however keep a journal, and I am an English: Literature/Writing major, so I changed my attitude and hope to use this blog to my advantage for myself and my writing.

I can not tell you what to expect from this blog, because I don't even know what to expect - and I am the writer who will manipulate and control this blog. I enjoy creative writing, so I imagine a good portion of my posts will have creative twists to them. As I said before, this blog is for a course I am taking: Critical Theory and the Academy, so the majority of my posts will also be reflections from my class and readings.

I am enjoying the reading so far for this class. It is interesting to learn about how individuals criticize and interpret texts through theory. However, my initial thought is: what's the point? Why not just read a text and then reflect from there without labeling it as Marxist or Feminist, etc... I'm sure as the course progresses, I will understand why, find my own reasons as to why.

Until then...we shall see what happens. Enjoy reading.