Critiquing a Literary

Selection: Moralist and

Marxist Approaches
Objectives:
At the end of the lesson, students can:
a)identify the principles of Moralist and
Marxist approaches and
b)critique literary texts applying
Moralist and Marxist approaches.
Directions: Identify each value inside the box as to
community values or personal values. Write your
answer on a separate sheet of paper.
Personal values- are those that influence the morality
of the individual e. g. loyalty to friends, the pursuit of
excellence, compassion etc.
Community values- are those that influence the moral
attitudes and conduct of communities such as religious
groups, families, societies e.g. the promotion of
education; the protection of a clean and safe
environment; care for the marginalized, equality etc.
PERSONAL COMMUNITY
VALUES VALUES
Moralistic literary approach focuses individuals,
couples, families, and professionals on a moralistic
definition of relationship, life, and family processes that
presumes a moral ascendancy of one value system over
others.
Moralist Criticism is a type of literary critique that
judges the value of the literature based on its moral lessons
or ethical teachings. It is also an approach used to judge
literary works according to moral rather than formal
principles.
What are the principles of a moralist literary
approach?
1. Morality can be a body of standards or principles
derived from a code of conduct from a particular
philosophy, religion or culture, or it can be derived
from a standard that a person believes should be
universal. Morality may also be specifically
synonymous with "goodness" or "rightness".
 2. Quality of human acts by which we call
them right or wrong, good or evil. ( Panizo,
1964)
3. Human action is right when it conforms
with the norm, rule or law of morality.
What are the considerations in writing a moralist
criticism?
1.This approach stresses the close reading of the text with
sensitivity to the words and their various meanings.
2.It searches for structures, patterns, imagery and motifs, and
figurative language along with the juxtaposition (the fact of two
things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effect)
of scenes, tone, and other literary techniques in order to come to
conclusions about the meaning of the work and insists that all
statements about the work be supported by references to the text.
3.Philosophical (or moral) criticism evaluates
the ethical content of literary works. However,
these critics evaluate the work in its totality, not
passages taken out of context.
 Directions: Give your brief reflection on the given
statements. Write your answer on separate paper.
1. “Don’t do unto others what you don’t want others do unto you”.
cious
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2. “For every action, there’s an opposite equal reaction.”- Isaac
n
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3.“He, who decides a case without hearing the other side,
though decides justly, cannot be considered just.”-Seneca the
Younger
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4. “Making the same mistakes over and over can be costly in
more ways than one.”-
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What is Marxist Literary Criticism?
Marxist literary criticism is a loose term
describing literary criticism based on socialist and
dialectic theories. It views literary works as
reflections of the social institutions.
Who is the proponent of Marxism Theory?
Marxism Theory originates from the works of 19th-
century German philosophers Karl Marx and
Friedrich Engels.
Theory of Marxism Marxism is a social, political,
and economic theory originated by Karl Marx,
which focuses on the struggle between capitalists
and the working class. He believed that this
conflict would ultimately lead to a revolution in
which the working class would overthrow the
capitalist class and seize control of the economy.
Goals of Marxist criticism The simplest goals
of Marxist literary criticism may include:
• an assessment of the political 'tendency' of a
literary work, determining whether its social
content or its literary form are 'progressive’.
• analyzing the class constructs demonstrated in
the literature.
Activity 1
Directions: Before you proceed to other parts of this module,
read and answer the following questions. Write the letter of
your answer on a separate paper.
1. What is an approach to literary criticism that focuses on its
morality?
A. Feminist B. Moralist C. Historical D. Marxist
2. Which of the following best describes moralist criticism?
A. It explains why a certain action is right or wrong.
B. It states the literary content.
C. It tells the lesson of the literary piece.
D. It teaches morality.
3. Which of the following is a body of standards or
principles derived from a code of conduct from a
particular philosophy, religion or culture?
A. morality B. idealism C. philosophy D. principle
4. Which of the following literary criticism
approaches views literary works as reflections of the
social institutions.?
A. Moralist B. Feminist C. Formalist D. Marxist
5. If you are going to critic a literary work based on moralist approach,
which one will you consider?
A. The work in its totality not the passages taken out from the
context.
B. The content showing struggle between the rich and the poor.
C. The opposite meaning of ideas presented.
D. The meaning of struggle.
6. Which of the following is NOT a principle of Marxist theory?
A. It opposes economic system based on inequality.
B. It explains rightness or goodness.
C. It argues on profit margins between labor and capital.
D. It believes on the idea that everything that exists as the potential to
7. Which of the following best describes moralist criticism?
A. It explains why a certain action is right or wrong.
B. It states the literary content.
C. It tells the lesson of the literary piece.
D. It teaches morality.
8. The following are principles of moralist criticism
EXCEPT__________________.
A. Morality is a body of standards derived from a code of conduct.
B. Morality is quality of human acts by which we call them right or
wrong.
C. Human beings have the potential to totally change the world.
D. Our action is right when it conforms with the norms, rule or law of
morality.
9. If you are going to critic a literary work based on moralist approach,
which one will you consider?
A. The work in its totality not the passages taken out from the context
B. The content showing struggle between the rich and the poor
C. The opposite meaning of ideas presented
D. The meaning of conclusions
10. Which is the main goal of Marxist criticism?
A. It determines whether the social content or its literary form are
progressive.
B. It judges the value of literature based on its moral lessons or ethical
teachings.
C. It interprets meaning of hard work and struggles.
D. It gives reason to survive every struggle.
Assignment
Make a reflection paper about critiquing a
literary selection based on Moralist and Marxist
Approaches.