MARXISM and IDEOLOGIESClassism: is a belief that our value as human beings is directly related to our social status: the higherthe social class, the higher is our inborn superiority. In traditional classist societies, social class isdetermined by birth, “in the blood” and cannot be changed upon the accumulation or loss of wealth.Marxist theory is against classism considering it unjust and unwise as it privileges a small segmentof the population. * In US, classism exists despite the fact that social class can change uponaccumulation or loss of wealth; those who become the upper-class expect and are treated as if theywere superior to those bellow hem on socio-economic ladder.Capitalism: is a system where everything, every object, activity, person can be defined in terms of itsworth in money on a specific market.Capitalist Ideologies: a. Competition- Capitalism believes that competition among individuals, for jobs,for pay raises, for awards, in educational level, lifestyle, etc. is the best way to promote a strongsociety because it ensures that the most intelligent and capable will rise to the top. Marxist Theoryconsiders competition repressive as competition emphasizes the importance of the individual-“I, I, me,me, me” instead of the group.b. Commodification: encourages relating to things and people as commodities with a tag value orexchanging value. Ex. A girl commodifies a man she is dating if he treats her well and spends on her.Thus, she is dating him for his exchange value or commodifies him for impressing her friends.c. American dream: anyone who works hard and is persistent can rise from: “rags to riches” becauseAmerica is a land of equal opportunities for all. Marxist Theory claims that our belief in the AmericanDream blinds us to the reality that a vast number of people do not have equal opportunity ineducation, jobs, housing, etc. And worse, American Dream leads to a belief that poor people who areunable to improve must be shiftless and lazy.d. Rugged individualism/ the hero motif: born from the American Dream, this ideology holds up to ouradmiration the example of the individual who strikes out alone in pursuit of a goal not easily achievedor requiring high risk. Marxist Theory claims that it is romanticized in folklore, it is actually putting self-interest above the needs of the community.Religion as ideology: Marxist Theory suggests that religion too is to oppress the poor; “it is the opiateof the masses” keeping the poor quiet and calm from rebelling- they are satisfied with the knowledgethat they will get fair treatment and will be rewarded in heaven.Colonialist Ideology: is based on colonizer’s belief in their own superiority over the colonized. Onebecomes a colonial subjects by mimicry (imitation of the dress, speech, behavior, or lifestyle ofmembers of dominant culture) and/or by unhomeliness (feeling of having no cultural identity/uponrejecting their culture as inferior)Analysis of the short story “Two Kinds” using the terms of Marxism and Ideology-12pStudent:________________________________________1. Find textual evidence that shows how young Amy and her mother had adopted Capitalist Ideologies.Choose one type of Capitalist Ideology and state how they ( or one of them) had internalized. (3p)Theme: Power and Ideology22. Find evidence in the story that supports the existence of Commodification Ideology in their community (3p)3. Do you think Classism Ideology and/or Marxist’s Religion Ideology exists in the community/ societyAmy lives in? Identify at least one, and explain supporting your answer with the textual evidence. (3p)4. Do you think Amy or her mom is a Colonial Subject or not? Why? Explain referring to the story. (3p)
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