Materialism in Literature & Literary Theory

Etymology of Materialism

The term “materialism” finds its origins in ancient Greece, with its etymology stemming from the Latin word “materialis,” signifying a connection to matter.

Materialism is a philosophical doctrine that upholds the primacy of physical matter, contending that all phenomena, including mental and spiritual aspects, could be comprehended through the lens of material substances and their interactions.

This concept gained currency during the Enlightenment period in the 17th and 18th centuries and has since undergone various philosophical and scientific adaptations.

And it still continues to shape discussions regarding the nature of reality, the consciousness, and the interplay between the physical and non-physical dimensions of existence.

Meanings of Materialism

Aspect	Meanings
Philosophical Materialism	A worldview that posits physical matter as the fundamental reality and seeks to explain all phenomena in material terms.
Historical Materialism	A Marxist concept linking societal structure, economics, and ideology, often used to analyze literary works.
Consumer Materialism	Preoccupation with material possessions and their perceived role in happiness and status, often explored in literary characters.
Materialistic Society	A culture valuing material wealth and possessions, influencing values and behaviors in literature.
Materialism vs. Idealism	A literary theme contrasting materialistic pursuits with idealistic values, serving as a central tension.
Materialistic Characters	Literary figures primarily driven by material gain, contrasting with characters emphasizing other values.
Cultural Materialism	A literary approach examining how societal factors and power structures shape texts within their cultural and historical context.
Environmental Materialism	Literary exploration of human-nature relationships, addressing ecological issues and consequences.
Critique of Materialism	Literary works that critique materialistic values and their societal impact.
Materialism as a Theme	Literature emphasizing materialistic values as a central theme, prompting reflection on priorities and values.

Definition of Materialism as a Theoretical Term

Materialism, as a theoretical term, is a philosophical stance asserting that the physical world, composed of material substances, constitutes the fundamental and sole reality, thereby rejecting the existence of immaterial or supernatural entities.

It emphasizes the reduction of all phenomena, including consciousness and thought, to physical processes and interactions, underlining the importance of empirical observation and scientific inquiry in understanding the universe.

Materialism has historically played a significant role in shaping various philosophical, scientific, and sociopolitical discourses, often influencing interpretations of human existence and the natural world.

Materialism: Theorists, Works, and Arguments

Theorists:

• Karl Marx developed the concept of historical materialism, which analyzes how economic structures influence society and culture, with significant implications for literary analysis.
• Friedrich Engels, a collaborator with Marx, contributed to the development of historical materialism and its application to understanding society and literature.
• Georg Lukács applied historical materialism to literature in his work The Theory of the Novel, exploring how economic and social conditions influence the novel as a literary form.
• Raymond Williams introduced the concept of cultural materialism, which emphasizes the reciprocal relationship between culture and literature, highlighting their influence on each other.

Works:

• In The Communist Manifesto (Marx and Engels), the authors outline key principles of historical materialism and discuss its profound implications for restructuring society.
• Capital by Karl Marx provides a comprehensive economic analysis of capitalism, offering insights that have significantly influenced Marxist literary criticism.
• The Theory of the Novel by Georg Lukács applies historical materialism to the analysis of the novel as a literary form, demonstrating how economic and social factors shape its development.
• In Marxism and Literature by Raymond Williams, the author delves into the intricate relationship between Marxism and literature, introducing the concept of cultural materialism.

Arguments:

• Historical materialism argues that economic and social structures are fundamental drivers of historical change, profoundly influencing the themes and representations found in literature.
• Materialist perspectives frequently critique capitalist systems, as portrayed in “Capital,” for perpetuating materialistic values and exacerbating class disparities.
• Materialism asserts that the material conditions of society, such as class struggle and economic factors, significantly shape literary works and their underlying themes.
• Cultural materialism, as discussed in Marxism and Literature, posits that culture and literature are shaped by material conditions and social factors, offering a comprehensive approach to literary analysis that considers their interconnectedness.

Materialism and Literary Theories

Theory	Relevance of Materialism
Marxist Literary Theory	– Materialism is foundational in Marxist theory, emphasizing socioeconomic and material conditions as the driving force behind literature. – Literature reflects class struggle, economic disparities, and historical material realities. – It provides a lens for analyzing class conflict, exploitation, and the impact of economic systems in literary works.
Cultural Materialism	– Cultural materialism extends materialist analysis to culture and language, considering culture and literature as products of material and historical circumstances. – Relevant for examining how literature reflects and shapes cultural values, norms, and ideologies within specific historical contexts. – Investigates how material conditions influence language and discourse in literary texts.
Historical Materialism	– Historical materialism applies Marxist principles to literary analysis, viewing literature as a product of material and historical conditions. – Literature reflects societal changes and struggles related to class, economic structures, and power dynamics.
Eco-Criticism	– Eco-criticism examines literature in the context of environmental concerns, intersecting with materialism by considering the physical impact of human actions on the natural world. – In eco-criticism, it allows analysis of how literature addresses ecological issues, resource exploitation, and the consequences of human material consumption.
Feminist Literary Theory	– Materialism is relevant in feminist theory discussions of gender, economics, and power. – Examines how material conditions affect the lives of women and marginalized groups in literature. – Explores the intersections of gender and class within literary works.
Postcolonial Theory	– Postcolonial theory explores the impact of colonialism, imperialism, and globalization on societies and literature. – In postcolonial theory, it is used for analyzing how literature reflects the material consequences of colonization, including economic exploitation and cultural transformation.

Materialism in Literary Criticism

1. Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller: In this classic American drama, the character of Willy Loman epitomizes aspirations of the American Dream. Willy believes that success and happiness are directly tied to material wealth and professional success. However, his relentless pursuit of material success ultimately leads to his downfall, illustrating how a materialistic mindset can result in personal tragedy and disillusionment.
2. Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert: Flaubert’s novel follows the life of Emma Bovary, a woman who is dissatisfied with her provincial life and becomes obsessed with the pursuit of materialistic pleasures and social status. Emma’s materialistic desires lead her into financial ruin and a tragic end, serving as a critique of the emptiness of a life centered around material consumption.
3. American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis: Ellis’s novel delves into the extreme materialism and consumerism of the 1980s Wall Street culture. The protagonist, Patrick Bateman, is a wealthy investment banker who obsessively indulges in material possessions, but he is also a psychopathic murderer. The novel explores the moral bankruptcy that can result from a society overly focused on material gain.
4. The Road by Cormac McCarthy: In this post-apocalyptic novel, materialism is juxtaposed with survival. The story follows a father and son as they navigate a harsh, desolate world where basic needs like food, shelter, and safety take precedence over material possessions. The novel underscores the fragility of materialism in the face of existential challenges.
5. The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton: Wharton’s novel examines the materialistic society of early 20th-century New York. The protagonist, Lily Bart, is a socialite whose life revolves around her quest for wealth and social status. Her relentless pursuit of material success ultimately leads to her downfall, highlighting the superficiality and cruelty of a materialistic society.

In these works, materialism is portrayed as a complex and often destructive force that can lead to moral decay, personal tragedy, and the erosion of human values. Each author critiques the materialistic values of their respective societies, emphasizing the need for a more meaningful and balanced approach to life beyond the pursuit of material wealth and possessions.

Suggested Readings

1. Eagleton, Terry. Marxism and Literary Criticism. Routledge, 2002.
2. Foster, Hal. The Art-Architecture Complex. Verso, 2013.
3. Jameson, Fredric. Postmodernism, or, The Cultural Logic of Late Capitalism. Duke University Press, 1991.
4. Leavis, F.R. The Great Tradition. New York University Press, 1960.
5. Marx, Karl, and Friedrich Engels. The Communist Manifesto. Penguin Classics, 2002.
6. Moretti, Franco. Distant Reading. Verso, 2013.
7. Orwell, George. 1984. Signet Classics, 1961.
8. Williams, Raymond. The Country and the City. Oxford University Press, 1975.
9. Wood, Ellen Meiksins. The Origin of Capitalism: A Longer View. Verso, 2002.
10. Zola, Émile. The Ladies’ Paradise (Au Bonheur des Dames). Penguin Classics, 2015.