Class struggle

Definition

Class struggle refers to the ongoing conflict between different social classes, primarily between the working class and the ruling class, as they compete for resources, power, and control over society. This struggle is often depicted in literature as a reflection of societal inequalities and the impact of economic conditions on people's lives, highlighting themes of injustice and resistance.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Literature reflecting class struggle often showcases characters from marginalized backgrounds who confront social injustices, emphasizing the divide between wealth and poverty.
2. Authors like Upton Sinclair and John Steinbeck portrayed the harsh realities faced by workers in their narratives, illustrating how economic exploitation leads to societal unrest.
3. The concept of class struggle was significantly influenced by Karl Marx, whose ideas about capitalism highlighted the conflicts arising from economic inequality.
4. Class struggle is often portrayed through various literary genres, including social realism, where it serves to critique societal norms and injustices.
5. In urban literature, class struggle becomes even more pronounced, as the challenges of living in a rapidly industrializing city expose stark disparities among social classes.

Review Questions

• How does the theme of class struggle manifest in the narratives of Southern Gothic literature?
  • In Southern Gothic literature, class struggle often surfaces through characters who are trapped in a decaying social order. The genre highlights tensions between old money and new wealth, as well as racial inequalities that contribute to social stratification. The conflicts among these classes are depicted in the characters' interactions and the settings they inhabit, revealing a deep sense of alienation and despair that comes from societal decay.
• Discuss how urban realism uses the concept of class struggle to depict life in modern cities.
  • Urban realism effectively illustrates class struggle by portraying the stark contrasts between affluent neighborhoods and impoverished areas within cities. Authors depict characters navigating daily hardships caused by economic disparity, showcasing how systemic issues contribute to a cycle of poverty. This literature reveals how urban environments exacerbate class conflict through themes of exploitation, social isolation, and community resilience amid adversity.
• Evaluate the impact of class struggle on labor literature during the Industrial Revolution and its relevance to contemporary issues.
  • Class struggle during the Industrial Revolution was marked by the rise of labor movements seeking better working conditions and fair wages. Literature from this era not only documented the plight of workers but also inspired collective action against oppressive systems. Today, these themes remain relevant as modern movements continue to address income inequality, workers' rights, and economic justice, drawing parallels between past struggles and current societal challenges faced by marginalized communities.

Related terms

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

Bourgeoisie: The capitalist class that owns the means of production and is often seen as oppressing the working class.

Socialism: An economic and political system advocating for collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods.