LT202: CONTEMPORARY

LITERARY CRITICISM: KEY

TERMS AND TEXTS II
Assignment 1: Unveiling Socioeconomic Dynamics: A
Marxist Analysis of Bertolt Brecht's "If Sharks Were
Men”

SEINI MANU
S11215348
 Unveiling Socioeconomic Dynamics: A Marxist
Analysis of Bertolt Brecht's "If Sharks Were Men”

Marxism, a socio-economic and political theory, envisions a classless society with collective
ownership of production means, rooted in materialist philosophy emphasizing tangible
factors and scientific methods for explaining societal dynamics. Dialectical materialism, a
facet of Marxism, asserts that social realities are grounded in labour and production, aiming
for a comprehensive societal and historical analysis and production1. Bertolt Brecht's short
story "If Sharks were Men" offers a Marxist lens, exposing inequalities, exploitation, and
ideological manipulation. Reflecting Brecht's Marxist beliefs and societal critique, the story
unveils concealed socioeconomic power dynamics2. This essay explores "If Sharks Were
Men," dissecting key Marxist tenets like historical materialism, class struggle and social
relations, commodity fetishism and alienation, ideology and false consciousness, and
capitalism's logic of accumulation.

"Historical materialism" is a central concept explored in both Marxist theory and Brecht's "If
Sharks Were Men." This concept asserts that the development of societies is driven by
material conditions, particularly the mode of production and the resulting class struggles 3. In
the story, the transformation of sharks into beings with human attributes symbolizes historical
shifts caused by changes in the material base4. The sharks' evolution from survival-focused
creatures to individuals embodying human traits parallels how societies evolve due to
advancements in technology and changes in production methods. This transformation
emphasizes how behaviour and ideology are shaped by shifting material conditions.
Similarly, Marxist theory posits those changes in the material base, such as economic systems
and technological progress, lead to changes in social structures and cultural norms5. In both
the narrative and Marxist theory, historical materialism underscores the fundamental role of
economic forces and class dynamics in shaping the course of history. The story's depiction of

1
Gregory Castle, “Marxism,” in The Blackwell Guide to Literary Theory (Malden, MA: Blackwell Publishers,
2007), 108–114.
2
Gregory Castle, “Marxism,” in The Blackwell Guide to Literary Theory (Malden, MA: Blackwell Publishers,
2007), 108–114.
3
Gregory Castle, “Marxism,” 108.
4
Bertolt Brecht, “If Sharks were Men,” trans. Martin Chalmers, in Stories of Mr. Keuner, ed. James Brook (San
Francisco: City Lights, 2001), 45-47.
5
Gregory Castle, “Marxism,” 108.
the sharks' development and the Marxist focus on the impact of material conditions highlight
the interplay between economic factors and societal changes.

"Class Struggle and Social Relations" is a key theme evident in both Marxist theory and
Brecht's "If Sharks Were Men." In Marxist theory, class struggle refers to the conflict between
different social classes, particularly the capitalist class and the proletariat, over control of
resources, wealth, and power – this struggle shapes social relations and leads to shifts in
societal structures6. In the story, the transformation of the sharks from oppressed creatures to
individuals with human attributes mirrors class struggle; initially, the sharks are marginalized
by human dominance, but upon acquiring human traits, they replicate the exploitative
behaviours of the dominant class7. This illustrates how the oppressed can adopt the practices
of their oppressors when granted power. In Marxist theory, class struggle is a driving force
behind historical change, leading to the emergence of new social systems. Furthermore, the
story underscores the malleability of social relations as the sharks' behaviour shifts with their
newfound attributes8. This aligns with Marxist theory, which emphasizes that social relations
are determined by the economic base, including modes of production and ownership. The
sharks' transformation reflects the complex interplay between material conditions, power
dynamics, and behaviour. Both the narrative and Marxist theory emphasize the significant
role of class struggle in shaping social relationships, demonstrating how it can perpetuate
existing power structures or pave the way for societal transformation.

"Commodity Fetishism and Alienation" explores the concepts of commodity fetishism and
alienation, as present in both Marxist theory and Brecht's "If Sharks Were Men." Commodity
fetishism refers to the phenomenon where commodities in a capitalist society are perceived to
possess inherent value, obscuring the labour and social relations that produce them9. This is
reflected in Brecht's story when the sharks attribute value to human attributes such as clothes
and education, treating them as commodities10. Similarly, in Marxist theory, this distortion of
value arises from the capitalist mode of production. Alienation, on the other hand, refers to
the estrangement that workers experience under capitalism, feeling disconnected from the
products of their own labour11. In the story, the sharks' adoption of human practices mirrors
6
Gregory Castle, “Marxism,” 108.
7
Bertolt Brecht, “If Sharks were Men,” 45.
8
Bertolt Brecht, “If Sharks were Men,” 45.
9
Gregory Castle, “Marxism,” 109
10
Bertolt Brecht, “If Sharks were Men,” 45.
11
Gregory Castle, “Marxism,” 109.
this sense of alienation, as they prioritize accumulating wealth and power after acquiring
human attributes12. Both the narrative and Marxist theory illustrate how capitalist systems can
lead to the objectification of labour and the detachment of individuals from the true source of
value, resulting in the commodification of human attributes and a sense of disconnection
from one's own actions.

"Ideology and False Consciousness" is a pivotal concept present in both Marxist theory and
Brecht's "If Sharks Were Men." In Marxist theory, ideology refers to the dominant set of
beliefs, values, and ideas that are shaped by and serve the interests of the ruling class – these
ideologies are disseminated through cultural institutions and shape individuals' perceptions of
reality; whereas false consciousness, is a state where individuals adopt the ideology of the
ruling class, believing it to be their own, despite it being against their own interests13. This is
a result of the way in which dominant ideologies are presented as universal truths. In the
story, the sharks' adoption of human practices and values reflects the concept of false
consciousness; initially oppressed by humans, the sharks aspire to be like them, attributing
value to human traits such as clothes and education14. This mirrors the way in which
individuals within a society may internalize the values of the ruling class, perpetuating their
own subjugation. The sharks' embrace of human ideology highlights how the ruling class
maintains control by shaping the perception of reality. The sharks' false consciousness leads
them to perpetuate their own oppression even after gaining human attributes. Marxist theory
contends that overcoming false consciousness is essential for social change, as the working
class needs to recognize their exploitation and challenge the dominant ideology 15. The
narrative and Marxist theory together illustrate how ideology can shape perceptions and
behaviour, reinforcing existing power dynamics, and how false consciousness can impede
efforts for social transformation.

"Capitalism's Logic of Accumulation" refers to the inherent drive of capitalist systems to

accumulate wealth and capital. This concept is rooted in Marxist theory, which asserts that
capitalism's primary goal is the constant expansion of profits through the accumulation of

12
Bertolt Brecht, “If Sharks were Men,” 46.
13
Gregory Castle, “Marxism,” 110.
14
Bertolt Brecht, “If Sharks were Men,” 45.
15
Gregory Castle, “Marxism,” 110.
surplus value- this drive for accumulation leads to the exploitation of labour and the pursuit
of profit above all else, shaping economic, social, and cultural aspects of society16.
In Brecht's "If Sharks Were Men," this logic is reflected in the sharks' transformation from
oppressed beings to oppressors, once the sharks acquire human attributes and practices, they
prioritize their own accumulation of wealth and power, mirroring capitalism's unrelenting
pursuit of profit17. The sharks' shift from survival-focused behaviour to a profit-driven
mindset underscores how material conditions can shape behaviour and motivations. Both the
narrative and Marxist theory highlight the systemic nature of accumulation in capitalist
societies and its impact on shaping human behaviour and social structures.

Marxism's socio-economic vision, rooted in materialist philosophy, seeks a classless society

with collective production ownership. Brecht's "If Sharks Were Men" aligns with Marxist
principles by unveiling hidden power dynamics, inequalities, and manipulation. Through key
Marxist concepts like historical materialism, class struggle, commodity fetishism, alienation,
ideology, false consciousness, and capitalism's accumulation logic, the essay explores how
the story mirrors and elucidates these notions. The story's portrayal of sharks' transformation,
their struggle for power, the commodification of human attributes, ideological adoption, and
accumulation tendencies, mirror the fundamental tenets of Marxism, reinforcing the intricate
interplay between material conditions, behaviour, and societal constructs.
1220 words

16
Gregory Castle, “Marxism,” 109.
17
Bertolt Brecht, “If Sharks were Men,” 46.
Bibliography
Brecht, Bertolt. “If Sharks were Men.” Translated by Martin Chalmers. In Stories of Mr.
Keuner, edited by James Brook, 45-47. San Francisco: City Lights, 2001.
Castle, Gregory. “Marxism.” in The Blackwell Guide to Literary Theory, 108-114. Malden,
MA: Blackwell Publishers, 2007.
Squiers, Anthony. “Brecht and Marxism.” In The Cambridge Companion to Brecht, edited by
Stephen Brockmann, 123-130. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2021.
https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108608800.017