Marxist Criticism theory and Novel The Trial by Franz Fafka (Essay Sample)

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Literary Fiction Essay
Scholars believe the Marxist criticism to be a term that describes the literary denunciation that derives its arguments from socialist and conflict theories (Zinik, 46). In simple terms, this form of criticism looks at literary artistry as being mere reflections of the strengths and weaknesses of institutions in society (Heath, 891). In addition, the theory views works of literature as a separate entity in terms of the various societal institutes (Heath, 892). More importantly, the theory also looks at literary presentations through the eyes of philosophical function determined by the author’s background and ideology (Winter, 225). It is also important to grasp Marxism criticism as an attempt to fully explain literature works by paying careful attention to the forms, styles, and symbols used in different works (Winter, 226). However, research indicates that top fully understand the workings of the Marxist theory it is vital to use a sample of literary works. Through the lens of Marxist criticism, this paper intends to use the novel 'the trial' by ‘franz kafka’ to illustrate the theory’s perspectives concerning society, political, and social institutions as derivable from literature.
Class and power struggle
According to the Marxist criticism theory, it is possible to look at works of literature and learn the class struggles painted by the author through out the various stories in the same work (Winter, 227). A closer look at the incidences in ‘the trial’ shows the arrest of Josef K. who after is arrested is released after interrogation and goes on with his business (Kafka, 8). Later at the courtroom, he has the audacity to argue and react as he wishes even with the magistrates warning and eventually walks out of the room (Zinik, 46). This is seemingly a struggle of powerful people in the society because under normal circumstances Josef K. would have been arrested and thrown into prison. In addition to this, it seems that he was a so powerful man that the court did not even dare to summon him after he left unceremoniously (Winter, 228). This is a real picture of class struggles that can only be seen through the eyes of the Marxist criticism theory owing to its ability to unearth social interactions in literary work (Heath, 894).
Literature as reflections of history
The proponents the Marxist criticism view hold that the theory is capable of analysing each work of literature to determine the social conditions within which such materials are constructed (Winter, 229). This usually involves delving deeper into understanding the setting within which collective characters in stories interact (Zinik, 48). A look at the trial shows one conspicuous setting within which the characters interact- the courtroom. This is where Josef K. appears for trial and is the same setting within which he gets to interact with court usher, Leni, and Huld (Kafka, 17). This particular setting shows that the novel was written during times when the institutions of law were fully established although lacking in effectiveness. In addition to this, analysis of the work of literature through the eyes of the Marxist criticism theory indicates that at the time in history when this work was written there was intensity of politics, moral degradation, and corruption (Heath, 895). This explains why the washer woman seduces Josef K., it explains why the court had surrendered its authority to the hands of political giants, and also served to explain why the magistrate harboured pornographic novels (Kafka, 20). These aspects of social life can only be seen through the eyes of the Marxist criticism (Zinik, 48).
Material life and society
Supporters of the Marxist criticism theory suggest that the theory has the ability to analyse works of literature and thereby reveal the underlying influence of materialism levels on intellectual, social, and political life processes (Zinik, 50). This kind of analysis is often performed via the careful consideration of the environments of interaction, characters, and their professions (Zinik, 51). It is easy to use the eyes of the theory and discover these aspects in ‘the trial’. Firstly, the key characters in this novel are mostly professionals like the guards, Josef K., court officials, magistrates, and even Huld the lawyer (Kafka, 31). This indicates that their levels of material acquisitions determine their social interactions in that the plot is built around these professionals. Through the eyes of Marxist criticism, we find that Josef K. is so powerful and wealthy that he finds his way into seating with magistrates and lawyers and the court is even afraid of dealing with him (Winter, 229). More importantly, the theory is also able to reveal that the intellectual interactions in the novel were dermined by the levels of material acquisition just like the nurse could afford the company of lawyers and magistrates simply because her profession associated her with the acquisition of material wealth (Heath, 898). It is thus clear that the Marxist criticism theory provides a platform upon which to analyse works of art and decipher nuggets of social interactions in relation to material wealth (Heath, 899).
The author and characters
As stated in the Marxist criticism theory, using the theory as a lens of investigating works of literature can provide researchers with the ability to determine the social situation of the author and its influence on the type of characters he/she chooses to develop (Winter, 230). More importantly, the same perspective can help uncover the author’s political ideas (Heath, 902). For example, looking carefully at the selection of the character Josef K. can be helpful in understanding the author’s social and political backgrounds as well as economic position (Heath, 900). Since Josef K. appears to be a powerful man in the society, it is thus logical to deduce that the author had not yet achieved this status but...