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Marxism is an ideology that has been around since the year 1917. Created by Karl Marx himself, Marxism revolves around the idea of economics and how it relates to class. Terry Eagleton who wrote the article ‘Marxism and Literary Criticism’ defined Marxism as a scientific theory of human societies and of the practice of transforming them; and what that means, rather more concretely, is that the narrative Marxism has to deliver is the story of the struggles of men and women to free themselves from certain forms of exploitation and oppression. The Marxist theory can be applied to Toni Morrison’s short story ‘Recitatif”. The story ‘Recitatif’ is about two young girls Twyla and Roberta who were best friends, they both grew up in an orphanage where they were forced to live due to the economic status of both their parents. Additionally, they were both separate races and learned how to grow up in the Civil Rights-era America. Their journey stemmed from their young years in the orphanage to the adult years of becoming mothers with children. As time passes, by they both reunited with each other at different places and each time they met up they both had different economic standings. When analyzed using the lens of the Marxist criticism, Toni Morrison’s ‘Recitatif’ serves as a perfect example of the Marxist theory through the changing and different economic positions of both girls Twyla and Roberta. Social class is a hybrid topic throughout Marxist criticism. David Shirley who wrote ‘Critical Theory Today’ stated social class is described as the main outcome for happiness and struggle. David Shirley uses the terms ‘upper class’ and ‘lower class’ to define the struggles depicted in the text.
Firstly, at the beginning of the story ‘Recitatif’, the main characters Twyla and Roberta are in an orphanage. They live in semi-decent conditions, with “four to a room” and food such as “spam, Salisbury steak-even jello with fruit cocktail in it”. At this point in the story, the two would be classified as proletariats. According to the Marxist theory, both Twyla and Roberta would be labeled as a lower class because they do not live in the most suitable conditions and they are limited to what they can eat and do. However, another part in the story that can be a distinction between both girls’ social class is when Twyla liked the orphanage’s cooking while on the other hand Roberta did not, this can be an indication that maybe Twyla is from a poorer social status; so, therefore, people would think she is black and would eat anything while Roberta is depicted to be white because she is from a much higher class than Twyla.
Later in the story ‘Recitatif’, the two girl’s mothers visit and have lunch with them. Mary who is Twyla’s mom did not bring anything to the visit, because Twyla’s mom didn’t bring anything to this, the two girls “picked fur and cellophane grass off the mashed jelly beans and ate them”. It can be concluded that she did not bring anything because of her current economic status. Due to this, the Marxist theory would classify Twyla’s mom as being of the lower class, in which she “suffers the ills of economic privation”. In contrast, Roberta’s mother “brought chicken legs and ham sandwiches and oranges and a whole box of chocolate-covered Graham’s”. Even though Roberta’s mom brought food for her unlike Twyla’s mom, she would still be considered as lower class. According to the Marxist theory, she is limited to what she can bring, which means that she is “struggling to support her daughter”. This deems true when Roberta is originally sent to an orphanage, reinforcing the idea that her mother was living in substandard economic conditions.
As the story advances these girls were not in a situation where they were considered the high class. They spent the next few years at the orphanage and then went out into the world. Twyla found a new line of work – “working behind the counter at the Howard Johnson’s”. This proof has demonstrated Twyla’s monetary position has changed since she moved out of the orphanage. Utilizing the Marxist focal point Twyla would now be classified as being the working class, expressing that she has “more financial stability than the lower classes” because of her current economic conditions. Moreover, Roberta, on the other hand, has expanded her financial status also. She currently has “a powder-blue strap and shorts outfit and hoops the size of bracelets”. Much the same as Twyla, Roberta’s new financial position would classify her white-collar class also. Lois Tyson wrote in her journal, ‘Critical Theory Today: A User-Friendly Guide’, that Marxism “economics is the base on which the superstructure of social/political/ideological realities is built”, this relates to Roberta and her wealth since her appearance and actions reflected her economic status. Yet, as the story continues on Twyla gets married to a man in her neighborhood and now gets the title ‘Mrs. Benson’. However, regardless of Twyla getting married, her financial position remains the equivalent and doesn’t change. Unique to Twyla, Roberta’s financial position changed strikingly. She currently has “diamonds on her hand, a smart white summer dress” and a “dark blue limousine”. Due to a gigantic move in her financial status, the Marxist theory would classify her as the economically privileged upper class. The upper class is seen as the individuals who “appreciate lavish ways of life” and “have a lot of monetary security”. It is obvious in the story that Roberta has a superior financial position in comparison to Twyla’s economic position.
In summation, economic statuses are a controversial aspect of our society and are present in Toni Morrison’s ‘Recitatif’. Many believe your life depends on how much money a person makes and what is done with it. Marxism relates to this story greatly and is the main topic in ‘Recitatif’. The girls grew up together and thought nothing of social class or money. As they grew older though, these views were different. One girl thought of money as to how successful they were and the other believed money was just a material object. In ‘Recitatif’, Roberta and Twyla started as lower class. As they got older, Roberta moved to high class and Twyla rose to low-middle class throughout Toni Morrison’s short story ‘Recitatif’, the Marxist theory is present. Morrison uses her main characters both Twyla and Roberta as symbols to portray the different economic status of people in America. As the American Dream would claim, hard work and determination will lead to economic prosperity.
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