CRITICAL THEORY Flashcards
(4 cards)
What is Marxism?
What are its key ideas?
How is this interpreted in A Christmas Carol?
Marxism
= in a capitalist society, the proletariat (working class) are exploited by the bargeoise for profit, which leads to revolution & social unrest due to inequality.
- Marxism calls for a socialist society (where people are treated equally)
Example: A Marxist interpretation would suggest that Bob crachit reflects the exploitation of the proletariat.
What is New historicism?
How is this interpreted in A Christmas Carol?
New historicism
= literary texts are seen as documents (evidence) that should be read to understand particular historical moments and cultural contexts.
Example: New historicist literary critics highlight that A Christmas Carol reflects the real cycle of poverty in Victorian society.
What is Empirical theory?
What are its key ideas?
How is this interpreted in A Christmas Carol?
Empirical theory
= humans are born with an “empty mind” - Tabula Rosa
- Argued against the idea of people being born sinful or innately evil
- Belief that children’s upbringing has a powerful impact
Example: An empirical interpretation would suggest that Scrooge’s isolated and selfish character (prior to his redemption) reflects the negative experiences he had during his childhood and early adulthood.
What is Feminism?
What are its key ideas?
How is this interpreted in A Christmas Carol?
Feminism
= women are oppressed and restricted by only being valued for their looks or their role as a wife/mother.
- Gender is different from biological sex and is a social construct
- Women are the ‘second sex’, because they are seen as less important/powerful compared to men (in the patriarchal society)
Example: A feminist interpretation would identify how women in Victorian society are slowly beginning to have their own autonomy, reflected by the female character Belle in A Christmas Carol.
However, the majority of female characters (e.g. Mrs. Cratchit, and Mrs. Fezziwig) are still portrayed in a misogynistic lens, being submissive to their husbands and lacking their own identity.
