Engels

Definition

Friedrich Engels was a German philosopher, social scientist, and co-founder of Marxist theory alongside Karl Marx. His work laid the foundation for many concepts within Marxist criticism, particularly in analyzing the effects of capitalism on society and advocating for socialist ideas. Engels provided essential insights into class struggle and the importance of material conditions in shaping human experience, which remain central to understanding Marxist critique in literature and culture.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Engels was born on November 28, 1820, in Prussia and later became closely associated with Karl Marx, both intellectually and personally.
2. His work 'The Condition of the Working Class in England' (1845) detailed the harsh realities faced by workers during the Industrial Revolution, highlighting social injustice and economic inequality.
3. Engels contributed to various socialist publications and maintained an extensive correspondence with Marx, providing crucial financial support for Marx's work.
4. He played a key role in developing Marx's ideas about historical materialism, which argues that history is driven by material conditions rather than ideals.
5. After Marx's death in 1883, Engels continued to promote their shared theories and worked to solidify their legacy within socialist movements across Europe.

Review Questions

• How did Engels' writings contribute to our understanding of class struggle within society?
  • Engels' writings were pivotal in articulating the concept of class struggle as a driving force in history and societal development. He emphasized that the conflicts between different social classes, particularly between the bourgeoisie and proletariat, shaped economic systems and societal structures. His analysis provided a framework for understanding how these tensions manifest not only in economics but also in culture and literature.
• In what ways did Engels support Marx's theories on capitalism and socialism through his own works?
  • Engels supported Marx's theories by providing empirical evidence and social analysis that reinforced their shared views on capitalism's detrimental effects on society. His seminal work 'The Condition of the Working Class in England' illustrated the dire living conditions caused by industrial capitalism. This not only validated Marxist critiques but also helped to disseminate their ideas among broader audiences, making their arguments more accessible to workers and activists.
• Evaluate the impact of Engels' concepts on contemporary literary criticism and how they relate to current societal issues.
  • Engels' concepts have had a lasting impact on contemporary literary criticism, particularly through the lens of Marxist criticism that focuses on class dynamics and material conditions. Today, his ideas resonate in discussions about economic inequality, labor rights, and social justice in literature. By examining texts through a Marxist lens, critics can reveal how literature reflects or challenges prevailing social norms and power structures, making Engels' contributions vital for analyzing current societal issues within various forms of media.

Related terms

Dialectical Materialism: A philosophical approach that emphasizes the material conditions of life as the primary influence on societal development, stressing the dynamic and contradictory nature of reality.

Class Struggle: The conflict between different classes in society, particularly between the bourgeoisie (owners of production) and the proletariat (working class), which is a fundamental aspect of Marxist theory.

The Communist Manifesto:

A political pamphlet co-authored by Engels and Marx in 1848 that outlines the principles of communism and calls for revolutionary action by the working class.