Marxist Theory in Hard Times (Coketown) and Watercress Girl :: hard Coketown Watercress

Marxist guess in Hard Times (Coketown) and Watercress Girl These two kit and boodle may both be researched at from a Marxist rank of view in finding explanation for the authors purpose in put pen to paper. When using a Marxist approach to analyzing literature we essential bear in mind several key terms. As we look at these texts we must bear in mind what the bourgeoisie is this is the upper or ruling class of a society. They are in lieu to rule due to their control over the base, or the economic authority of production (Bressler 212). Because the have control over the base the bourgeoisie will, consciously and unconsciously force their political orientation on the proletariat, or fermenting class. The ideology referred to is the beliefs, values, and art of a society. When analyzing Coketown and Watercress Girl we female genitalia see certain(prenominal) influence on the ideologies of the proletariat by the bourgeoisie conveyed in the text. In Watercress Girl we have s everal excellent examples of the forced ideologies. When interviewing the unsalted girl, Henry Mayhew, recorded statements like, although only eight years of age, had entirely broken all childish ways, and was, indeed, in thoughts and manner, a woman (1838). In this chemise we have an eight-year-old girl forced into womanhood because of the economic conditions of the time. Even though this child lived with her mother who was a seamstress she was still forced to work as a street vendor of watercress (1339). Evidence of this manner missing state of the new-fangled girl can be seen in the statement, We children never play down there, cos because were thinking of our living(Mayhew 1389). hither we have a statement made by a young girl admitting that she cannot play because of the necessity or her working to live. One dexterity ask what does that have to do with the bourgeoisie and its control over ideology? If we look at the young girls statements closely we may see underlie mea nings. This young girl is missing out on her childhood a time when she is supposed to be learning values that only her parents can supply. These values that she should be learning at home from her parents are at a time being instilled by values learned on the street attempting to require a living. When the girl says, we never goes go home to breakfast till weve change out (Mayhew 1839).