Marx, Karl (in relation to literature)

Karl Marx, in relation to literature, is known for analyzing how social and economic forces shape cultural expressions. He believed that literature reflects and reinforces class structures and power dynamics within society. Marx argued that literary works often serve as tools for social critique or reinforcement of the status quo, influenced by material conditions and economic interests. His ideas encourage readers to view literature as a mirror of societal inequalities, prompting analysis of how class struggles and economic relations are embedded in texts. This perspective has significantly influenced critical approaches like Marxist literary criticism.