Marxist literary criticism adopts a historical approach, says writer

B.R. Manjunath discusses Marxist literary criticism emphasizing class struggle, historical approach, and importance of content in literature.

Writer-journalist B.R. Manjunath has said as the Marxist method of literary criticism is based on the outlook of class struggle, it consequently adopts a historical approach while analysing literature.

He was delivering a talk during a discussion on “Marxist Literary Criticism” organised by the Department of English at Karnatak University in Dharwad on Monday.

Mr. Manjunath said that Marxist literary criticism emphasizes that literature in any given society is a super-structure on a given economic base and as a result, it reflects the incessant class struggle in society.

“Just as there is literature that reflects the interest of the ruling class hegemony, there is also dissenting and protesting literature of the oppressed people. While Marxist literary criticism agrees to the proposition that both content and form are important in literature, it, at the same time, asserts that the basic character of literature is determined by content,” he said.

Mr. Manjunath said that it, however, recognises the important role of form and concedes that literature will be successful only with higher aesthetic standards.

He said that literature should reflect realism but for that to happen, the writer will have to select the necessary and beautiful elements from real life.

“If it fails to do so and starts incorporating all unnecessary factual details that are not contributing towards social progress, it slips into naturalism. The language of literary criticism should become more people-friendly and get close to the heart rather than being dry and complicated,” he said.