Marxist Theory in Hard Times (Coketown) and Watercress Girl :: hard Coketown Watercress

bolshy Theory in Hard Times (Coketown) and chromatic daughter These two works may both be looked at from a Marxist point of view in finding news report for the authors purpose in putting pen to paper. When using a Marxist approach to analyzing literature we must bear in mind some(prenominal) key terms. As we look at these texts we must bear in mind what the bourgeoisie is this is the upper or ruling class of a society. They are in place to rule due to their control everywhere the base, or the economic means of production (Bressler 212). Because the have control over the base the bourgeoisie will, consciously and unconsciously force their ideology on the proletariat, or working class. The ideology referred to is the beliefs, values, and art of a society. When analyzing Coketown and Watercress Girl we can see definite influence on the ideologies of the proletariat by the bourgeoisie conveyed in the text. In Watercress Girl we have some(prenominal) excellent examples of the forced ideologies. When interviewing the young lady friend, Henry Mayhew, recorded statements like, although only octonary years of age, had entirely lost all childish ways, and was, indeed, in thoughts and manner, a woman (1838). In this case we have an eight-year-old girl forced into cleaning lady because of the economic conditions of the time. Even though this child lived with her mother who was a seamstress she was still forced to work as a street vendor of watercress (1339). Evidence of this life missing state of the young girl can be seen in the statement, We children never play down there, romaine lettuce because were thinking of our living(Mayhew 1389). Here we have a statement do by a young girl admitting that she cannot play because of the necessity or her working to live. One might ask what does that have to do with the bourgeoisie and its control over ideology? If we look at the young girls statements almost we may see underlying meanings. This young girl is miss ing come on on her childhood a time when she is supposed to be tuition values that only her parents can supply. These values that she should be learning at inhabitation from her parents are now being instilled by values knowing on the street attempting to make a living. When the girl says, we never goes go home to breakfast till weve sold out (Mayhew 1839).