Literature

Literature

Step 1: Understand Marxism and Choose a Focus
Experience the drama with a Marxist lens. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-dtwPkRDio

Students should consider the following concepts while watching the film adaptation:
•    Aristocracy
•    Blackmail
•    Capital
•    Class Levels (Upper, Middle, Lower)
•    Commodities
•    Ethics
•    Gender Roles
•    Gossip
•    Marriage
•    Materialism
•    Morality
•    Politics
•    Power
•    Propaganda
•    Reputation
•    Society
Students should choose three or four of these or similar ideas and construct a 10-page research paper about these areas in the Victorian Era. The paper should argue whether or not Wilde’s An Ideal Husband accurately represents the roles of these concepts in 19th Century England. Keep in mind that while all these ideas do not always resemble a role in the “workplace,” Marxist criticism looks at them from a work/production view. These items are meant to supplement the prompts on the original Writing Assignments Worksheet passed out in mid-May.
Homework:
There will not be a participation quiz in class on Tuesday, June 9. Instead, students will complete an online quiz on Marxist Criticism. Students will read two sections on Marxism and complete the quiz on Moodle. The quiz includes questions on the reading, and it also requires students to submit their thesis statement for this paper.