Marxism and LiteratureThis book extends the theme of Raymond Williams's earlier work in literary and cultural analysis. He analyses previous contributions to a Marxist theory of literature from Marx himself to Lukacs, Althusser, and Goldmann, and develops his own approach by outlining a theory of `cultural materialism' which integrates Marxist theories of language with Marxist theories of literature. Williams moves from a review of the growth of the concepts of literature and idealogy to a redefinition of `determinism' and `hegemony'. His incisive discussion of the 'social material process' of cultural activity culminates in a re-examination of the problems of alignment and commitment and of the creative practice in individual authors and wider social groups. |
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abstract active actual aesthetic alternative analysis Antonio Gramsci argument articulation basic bourgeois capitalist complex concept constitutive conventions creative crucial defined definition determination difficult distinction dominant duction economic effect elements emergent emphasis empiricism Engels especially evident example experience expression fact formal forms Frankfurt School genre hegemony homology human ideas ideo ideology important individual institutions kind language literary literary theory literature London Marx Marxism material production material social process meanings and values mediation metaphysical mode mode of production natural necessarily necessary notations objective objectivist orthodox Marxism particular political position practical consciousness problem productive forces radical range reality recognition reduced reflection rela relations relations of production relationships relatively residual seen selective sense separated significant signs situation social and historical society sociology sociology of culture specialized specific superstructure tendency theoretical theory thought tion tive tradition tural variable variations VoloĊinov whole writing