The Social
Class/Marxist Lens
Things to Think
About…
• Who holds the power/money? Who doesn’t?
• What role does power/ money play in the text?
• Consider author and time period when looking at the
power/money struggles in a text.
Who holds the
power/money? Who
doesn’t?
• http://www.fashionadexplorer.com/lXxyEzQFTcLmUqdJ0.jpg
• http://www.footluxe.com/gallery/2011/11/TommyHilfiger-Eau-de-Prep-Fragrance-2011-Ad-01.jpg
• http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2244/2282186668_a15d
cc36c8_z.jpg?zz=1
Applying the social
class lens…
• After viewing these two trailers, write down what a
social class critic might say about each one.
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NTsOfjqJqo
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_L52eExAHU
*Remember to be mature about the content of the clips!
Applying the social
class lens to poetry
• In small groups you will read one of two poems.
• Analyze this poem as a social class critic would:
• Who holds the power?
• What role does power/money play in the poem?
• What is the poem saying about our economy and the
people in America?
• After a close reading, you will pair up with someone who
has a different poem and discuss your findings.
Applying the social class lens
to texts we have read this
year…
• How can we apply the social class lens to the following
texts:
•
•
•
•
Catcher
Of Mice and Men
The Crucible
The Glass Menagerie