Terry Eagleton, a prominent Marxist literary critic, often emphasises the interconnectedness of literature and history in his works. He argues that literature should not be viewed in isolation, but rather as a reflection of the social, political, and historical contexts in which it was produced. Eagleton believes that literature can be used as a tool to better understand and critique these contexts.
One key concept in Eagleton’s Marxist literary theory is the idea of base and superstructure. The base refers to the economic and productive forces in a society, while the superstructure includes the cultural, political, and ideological institutions that arise from and support the base. Eagleton argues that literature is part of the superstructure and is therefore shaped by the material conditions of its time.
In examining the relationship between literature and history, Eagleton suggests that literary texts should be analysed in relation to their historical context and social conditions. This approach allows critics to uncover the ideological function of literature and examine the ways in which texts can both support and challenge dominant power structures.
Furthermore, Eagleton emphasises the importance of understanding the social construction of literary value. He contends that what is considered “good” or “valuable” literature is often determined by the dominant ideologies and power structures of a given time.
By analysing literature within its historical context, critics can better understand the factors that contribute to a work’s perceived value and question the universality of aesthetic judgments.
In Marxism and Literary Criticism (1976), Terry Eagleton explores the relationship between literature, history, and ideology from a Marxist perspective. The book serves as an introduction to Marxist literary theory and seeks to establish the relevance of Marxist approaches to the study of literature.
Eagleton argues that literature should not be seen as an isolated entity, separate from historical and social contexts. Rather, literary texts are products of their time and are shaped by the ideologies, social conditions, and power relations that prevail during their creation. He believes that literature is deeply embedded in the material circumstances of its production and consumption, and that it can serve as a reflection of the social and political ideologies of its time.
Throughout the book, Eagleton examines various aspects of Marxist literary criticism, such as the relationship between base and superstructure, the concept of ideology, and the role of literature in the reproduction of dominant social values. He emphasises the importance of studying literature within its historical context and with an awareness of the economic, political, and social conditions that shape it.
One of the main themes of the book is the role of ideology in shaping literature. Eagleton argues that literature can be used as a tool to reproduce and reinforce dominant ideologies, as well as to challenge and critique them. He asserts that literary texts can either support the status quo or promote social change, depending on the way they are interpreted and used by readers.
Eagleton also discusses the social construction of literary value, questioning the notion of objective aesthetic value or inherent literary merit. He contends that the evaluation of literature is shaped by the ideologies and power relations that influence the critics, readers, and institutions that engage with it. In this sense, the criteria used to judge literary works are not universal or neutral but are determined by the specific social and historical contexts in which they are produced and consumed.
Marxism and Literary Criticism presents a Marxist perspective on the study of literature, emphasising the importance of historical context, material conditions, and ideological influence in shaping literary texts and their reception. Eagleton argues for the need to analyse literature in relation to its social and political functions, as well as its potential to challenge and transform the dominant ideologies of its time.
Base and Superstructure
In Marxist theory, society is divided into two main components: the base and the superstructure. The base refers to the economic system, the mode of production, and the relations of production. This includes the means of production (e.g., land, factories, technology) and the social relationships between different classes that arise from the production process. The base determines the overall organisation and functioning of society.
The superstructure, on the other hand, refers to the various cultural, political, and ideological institutions and practices that emerge from the base. These include the legal system, education, art, literature, religion, and other forms of culture. According to Marxist theory, the superstructure is shaped by the base and serves to justify and reproduce the relations of production in the base. In other words, the superstructure helps to maintain the existing social order and the dominance of the ruling class.
In the first chapter of Marxism and Literary Criticism, Terry Eagleton introduces the Marxist concept of base and superstructure to explain the relationship between literature and society. According to this theory, the base refers to the economic system and the relations of production, while the superstructure consists of institutions, ideologies, and cultural products, including literature.
1. The influence of the base: Eagleton argues that the economic base of a society heavily influences the superstructure, which encompasses literature. The base shapes the social relations, institutions, and ideologies that inform literary works. However, the relationship between base and superstructure is not a simple, one-way causation; rather, it is dialectical, meaning that the superstructure can also influence and reflect changes in the base.
2. Literature as part of the superstructure: In the Marxist framework, literature is an element of the superstructure that both reflects and reinforces the dominant ideologies and social relations of a particular historical period. Literary texts, therefore, cannot be fully understood without considering the social, economic, and political context in which they were produced.
3. Ideology and literature: Eagleton emphasises the role of ideology in shaping literature. He argues that literary texts often embody the dominant ideology of their time, consciously or unconsciously. By examining the ideological underpinnings of a work, critics can gain a deeper understanding of its historical significance and the ways it interacts with the power structures of its time.
4. The role of literary criticism: Eagleton contends that Marxist literary criticism aims to uncover the complex interplay between literature and its historical context. By examining the relationship between base and superstructure, Marxist critics can reveal the socio-political dimensions of literary texts and better understand their significance within a given historical period.
Terry Eagleton, as a Marxist literary critic, applies the base and superstructure concept to the study of literature. He argues that literary texts are part of the superstructure and are deeply influenced by the economic and social conditions of the base. Literature is not an isolated or autonomous entity but is connected to the material circumstances of its production and consumption. Eagleton suggests that literature reflects the ideologies and power relations that prevail in society. It can serve as a tool to reproduce and reinforce the dominant ideologies and social values or challenge and critique them. By analysing literary texts within their historical context and in relation to the base, Eagleton aims to uncover the ideological function of literature and its role in the reproduction of social relations and power structures.
In general, the base and superstructure concept in Marxist theory can be applied to the study of literature to explore its connection to the economic and social conditions of its time. Eagleton argues that literary texts are part of the superstructure and serve to either reproduce or challenge the dominant ideologies and social relations determined by the base.
In “Literature and History”, Terry Eagleton, emphasises the importance of examining literature in relation to its historical context, social conditions, and ideological function. Eagleton’s Marxist literary theory encourages critics to consider how literature both reflects and challenges the material conditions of its time, as well as the ways in which it can be used as a tool for social change.
Terry Eagleton, as a Marxist literary critic, is particularly interested in the role of ideology in shaping literature and its reception. He believes that literature is not an isolated or autonomous entity but is deeply influenced by the economic, political, and social conditions that prevail during its creation and consumption.
Eagleton emphasises that literary texts often contain ideological content, reflecting the prevailing beliefs, values, and assumptions of their time. These ideologies can be explicit or implicit, and they can be conveyed through various narrative elements, such as character development, plot structure, and themes. By analysing these elements within their historical context and in relation to the broader social and political conditions, Eagleton aims to expose the ideological underpinnings of literature and their implications for the reproduction or transformation of social relations.
Furthermore, Eagleton contends that the evaluation of literature is also shaped by ideology. He questions the notion of objective aesthetic value or inherent literary merit, arguing that the criteria used to judge literary works are determined by the specific social and historical contexts in which they are produced and consumed. The ideologies and power relations that influence critics, readers, and institutions that engage with literature play a significant role in the construction of literary value.
Terry Eagleton’s essay “Literature and History” is a thought-provoking exploration of the relationship between literature and historical context, as well as the role of literary criticism. Eagleton, a prominent Marxist critic, emphasises the importance of understanding literature as a product of its historical and social circumstances, arguing that literary texts cannot be separated from the context in which they were produced.
1. Literature as a reflection of historical context: Eagleton argues that literature is intrinsically tied to the historical conditions of its creation. He asserts that literary works are not merely artistic expressions but also reflect the social, economic, and political realities of the time. To understand a text fully, one must consider the material conditions under which it was produced and how these conditions influenced its content and form.
2. Ideology and literature: One of Eagleton’s central arguments is that literature is deeply intertwined with ideology. He contends that literary texts often convey the dominant ideology of their time, either by reinforcing or challenging it. By examining the ideological underpinnings of a work, critics can gain a deeper understanding of its historical significance and the ways in which it engages with the power structures of its time.
3. The role of literary criticism: Eagleton emphasises the importance of literary criticism in uncovering the historical and ideological dimensions of literature. He believes that critics should not merely focus on the aesthetic qualities of a text but also explore its socio-political implications. This approach, which is heavily influenced by Marxist literary theory, calls for a more historically informed and socially engaged mode of criticism.
4. The limitations of formalism and New Criticism: In “Literature and History,’ Eagleton critiques formalist and New Critic approaches to literature for their tendency to isolate texts from their historical context. He argues that these methods, which prioritise the analysis of a text’s formal properties and internal coherence, often neglect the ways in which literature is shaped by and responds to its historical circumstances.
5. The importance of historical materialism: Eagleton advocates for a historical materialist approach to literary criticism, which emphasises the role of material conditions in shaping literature and its reception. This method, rooted in Marxist theory, seeks to reveal the complex interplay between literature and history, providing a more comprehensive understanding of a text’s significance.In summary, Terry Eagleton’s essay “Literature and History” explores the inextricable link between literature and its historical context, arguing that literary texts are both shaped by and reflective of the social, economic, and political conditions of their time. Eagleton calls for a more historically informed and ideologically aware mode of literary criticism, emphasising the importance of understanding literature as a product of its historical circumstances.
Multiple Choice Questions:
1. Terry Eagleton’s approach to literary theory is largely influenced by which philosophical movement?
a. Existentialism
b. Marxism
c. Structuralism
d. Postmodernism
Answer: b. Marxism
2. What is the primary aim of Marxist literary criticism, which Eagleton employs in his works?
a. To study the aesthetic qualities of literature
b. To uncover the ideological function of literature
c. To explore psychological aspects of literary characters
d. To compare and contrast different literary genres
Answer: b. To uncover the ideological function of literature
3. Which of the following works by Terry Eagleton is a widely-read introduction to literary theory?
a. Literature and Society
b. Literary Theory: An Introduction
c. After Theory
d. The Event of Literature
Answer: b. Literary Theory: An Introduction
4. Terry Eagleton argues that literature can be used as a tool for:
a. Escapism
b. Social change
c. Personal entertainment
d. Learning grammar and syntax
Answer: b. Social change
5. Eagleton suggests that literary texts should be analyzed in relation to:
a. The author’s personal life
b. The historical context and social conditions
c. The reader’s subjective experience
d. The inherent qualities of the text alone
Answer: b. The historical context and social conditions
6. Which of the following is NOT a major theme in Eagleton’s literary theory?
a. The relationship between literature and politics
b. The social construction of literary value
c. The importance of the author’s intention
d. The role of ideology in shaping literature
Answer: c. The importance of the author’s intention
7. Eagleton’s works often emphasize the importance of:
a. Formalism
b. New Criticism
c. Deconstruction
d. Materialist criticism
Answer: d. Materialist criticism
8. Terry Eagleton’s work has been critiqued for:
a. Overemphasising the role of the reader
b. Neglecting the aesthetic value of literature
c. Focusing solely on canonical texts
d. Ignoring the historical context of literature
Answer: b. Neglecting the aesthetic value of literature
9. According to Eagleton, literature can serve as a reflection of:
a. Pure human emotion
b. The inner psyche of the author
c. Social and political ideologies
d. Universal human experiences
Answer: c. Social and political ideologies
10. Which of the following is a key concept in Eagleton’s Marxist literary theory?
a. The autonomy of art
b. The death of the author
c. Base and superstructure
d. The signifier and the signified
Answer: c. Base and superstructure
11. In Marxist theory, the economic system and relations of production are part of which component of society?
a. Superstructure
b. Base
c. Ideology
d. Literary merit
Answer: b. Base
12. According to Eagleton, which aspect of literature is influenced by ideologies and power relations?
a. Aesthetic value
b. Narrative structure
c. Both aesthetic value and narrative structure
d. Neither aesthetic value nor narrative structure
Answer: c. Both aesthetic value and narrative structure
13. Terry Eagleton’s analysis of literature focuses primarily on:
a. The author’s intention
b. The reader’s subjective experience
c. The text’s aesthetic qualities
d. The historical context and social conditions
Answer: d. The historical context and social conditions
14. In Eagleton’s Marxist literary criticism, literature can serve as a tool for:
a. Escapism
b. Reinforcing and challenging dominant ideologies
c. Personal entertainment
d. Learning grammar and syntax
Answer: b. Reinforcing and challenging dominant ideologies
15. Eagleton argues that the evaluation of literary works is:
a. Universal and neutral
b. Determined solely by the author’s intention
c. Shaped by the reader’s personal preferences
d. Influenced by ideologies and power relations
Answer: d. Influenced by ideologies and power relations
16. Which concept from Marxist theory does Eagleton use to analyze the relationship between literature and society?
a. Base and superstructure
b. Surplus value
c. Class struggle
d. Historical materialism
Answer: a. Base and superstructure
17. According to Eagleton, which narrative elements can convey ideological content in literary texts?
a. Character development
b. Plot structure
c. Themes
d. All of the above
Answer: d. All of the above
18. Eagleton’s approach to literature challenges the notion of:
a. Objective aesthetic value
b. The death of the author
c. The autonomy of art
d. Reader-response criticism
Answer: a. Objective aesthetic value
19. In Marxist literary criticism, the primary aim is to:
a. Uncover the ideological function of literature
b. Analyse the psychological aspects of literary characters
c. Study the aesthetic qualities of literature
d. Compare and contrast different literary genres
Answer: a. Uncover the ideological function of literature
20. Eagleton’s Marxist literary criticism emphasises the role of literature in:
a. Reflecting pure human emotion
b. Serving as a form of escapism
c. Reproducing or transforming social relations
d. Providing entertainment for readers Answer: c. Reproducing or transforming social relations
Literary Latitude 