In Between the Lines of Everyday Use
Posted by michellex3 , Tuesday, March 6, 2012 9:05 PM
The Marxist theory entails that in
order to stop exploitation of the working class through capitalism, the working
class needs to rebel and gain power through a social revolution. Basically, the
Marxist theory is the struggle between the social classes. In Alice Walker’s
Everyday Use, Dee, Mama and Maggie show how Marxism is portrayed.
It is shown in he short story how
there is a struggle between social classes within the family. Dee or Wangero,
believes that her mother and sisters lifestyle is poor because they choose to
not to ‘overcome’ their ‘circumstances’. This shows Rugged Individualism, “which holds up for our admiration the
example of the individual who strikes out alone in pursuit of a goal not easily
achieved….” (p.59, Using Concepts from Marxist Theory). Wangero wanted so badly
to overcome her old life and she know expects that from her mother and sister.
The American Dream is also showed her
because Dee, actually did achieve and overcome her goal to leave behind her
old, poor life for the kind of lifestyle she wanted and that she felt she
deserved. Mama and Maggie show to be the lower working class in the Marxist
Theory in Dee’s eyes. They have to struggle just to maintain the lives they
have which isn’t one of the best. Dee is very competitive as well. From what
Mama tells, Dee has always tried to be better then everyone even though no one
tries to compete with her. She shows to be eager to overcome who she was or is.
Even though she achieves her goals she still wants more.
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