Marxist Literary Theory - WTF? An Introduction to Marxism and Culture

The video explores Marxist literary theory, focusing on how cultural texts reflect societal power structures. It introduces Marx's concepts of economic base and superstructure, using examples like King Arthur and Captain America to illustrate how culture legitimizes economic bases. The video also discusses ideology's role in culture and applies Marxist criticism to Harry Potter, highlighting themes of neoliberalism and intellectual elitism. The video concludes with recommendations for further reading.

What ideology does the character of the Dursleys in Harry Potter represent?

What does the speaker suggest about the portrayal of muggles in Harry Potter?

In what ways does Harry Potter critique or support neoliberalism?

How can Marxist literary criticism help us understand the relationship between culture and society?