Especially after reading 1984 by George Orwell I've suddenly fully recognised the importance of writing and literature, both fiction and not, but I don't think I fully understand the density of it yet. But will I ever? Will anybody ever fully understand?
There are two types of readers:
essentialists: These are what we learn to read as, at least the vast majority.
This way of reading lets us believe in the reality of the fictional world, we empathise with the characters and for all intensive purposes experience Catharsis, the release of the emotions of pity and fear, to provoke a sense of self love and confidence in the reader or giving them a better instruct on how to live their lives.
However.
Marxists believe there is another type of reader, Representational.
These readers understand the necessary points in literature, yet as most of the main Marxist theories suggest, the literature represents the true feelings of the persona or what society should demonstrate, if you get my drift. As complicated and confusing this all may sound, it also seems to make perfect sense.
The philosopher Plato had the idea of the cave, and that this materialistic world was illusory and that we must search for a better standard of living, again much to the belief of Marxists.
Personally, I believe Marxism to be a very interesting concept. I am not calling myself a communist, and I'm definitely not calling myself a capitalist but its hard to decided what the rightful path might be after having been indoctrinated for so long with one way of thinking. Maybe we have and maybe we haven't, who knows but this goes for any society really which ever one you've been bought up through. I don't think communism or Marxism has been rightfully portrayed in society, wherever you're bought up you're bound to believe one thing or another based on you're upbringing and culture. Take Chine for example, a communist dictatorship you could say, except without a well known (and hated) dictator. The education system is tailored to promote love for communism, and therefore to question it would be the alternative option, almost the opposite for someone growing up in a capitalist democracy.
Though, I do think that Marxism and communism show differences. In my opinion, Marxism is the belief and communism is the practise itself.
One thing that truly irritated me is feminism. Sure, historically it's had it's place, for which don't get me wrong I am extremely grateful, and I also think that it could be put to use in under developed countries especially those lacking in civil rights, however as a highly developed and rich country, with an intelligent and fair (kind of) government i really don't think feminism as an ideology has a place.
I'm not fully conforming to the stereotype that all feminists are lesbians who burn their bras and name sheep beauty queens, but what truly gets on my nerves is the pure ignorance of some of these people.
Women have stereotypes, yes some positive, some negative, but women are not the only ones with a stereotype. nor will we ever be. There are racial, cultural and even stereotypes relating to generations, not to mention harsh stereotypes directed at men (how often have to heard someone say all men are pigs hmm?)
Another interesting idea is that a lot of feminism claims are based on Marxist theories and ideas, and the the blame being held on industry as opposed to attraction from men.
Using ideas from Naomi Wolf's 'The Beauty Myth' it claims that it's not actually men's desires which pressure women into changing themselves and provoking self conciousness, its actually to do with economics and the economic world, 3 industries in particular: The cosmetic surgery industry, The cosmetics industry, and the dieting industry; each worth a massive amount of money.
By creating the feminine ideal, they create a sense of worry in women, who strive to fit the ideal, which is partly down to what they think men want (even though earlier established its not this at all, most men would actually chose a women who doesn't look like the 'barbie' stereotype) this fills women with a sense of false conciousness who rely of these companies to better them and conform to the role of the ideal woman.
This also relates back to Marxism and the view that capitalist society creates industry to confuse humanity so that people don't realise what's really important in life, instead believe that materialism is the way to succeed.
All these ideas co-exist to create one confusing, and if i may say so, fucked up world.
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