Marxism holds that economic factors underlie society's decisions and that class struggle drives historical change. The document discusses Marxism and economic determinism, analyzing how characters in Heart of Darkness pursue economic success through different strategies but are ultimately unsuccessful due to being driven solely by acquiring wealth.

1. By: Jared Goodman

2. What is Marxism?
 the economic and political theory and
practice originated by Karl Marx and
Friedrich Engels that holds that actions
and human institutions are economically
determined, that the class struggle is the
basic agency of historical change, and
that capitalism will ultimately be
superseded by communism

3. More moderate view: Economic
Determinism
 a doctrine that states that all
cultural, social, political, and
intellectual activities are a
product of the economic
organization of society.
 This means that economic
factors underlie all of
society’s decisions.

5. “Proletarian Literature”
 “emphasizes persons of the lower class-
the poor and oppressed who spend their
lives in endless drudgery and misery,
and whose attempts to rise above their
disadvantages usually result in renewed
suppression.

6. Heart of Darkness
 Kurtz and Marlow are
the two main characters
who have a low
economic status.
 The reader views two
different strategies at
receiving economic
success throughout the
novel. However, neither
plan works in the end.

7. Marlow
 Marlow tries to receive economic
success by playing “the system” and
trying to get the most out of his
opportunities.
 However, all his decisions are based on
money.

8. Kurtz
 Kurtz on the other
hand tries to receive
economic success
through force.
 His decisions, too,
are based on money
and changing his
social class to better
himself.

9. Economic Determinism
 Both of these characters represent the
idea of Economic Determinism.
Whereas neither character consciously
thinks of money, it is clear that the
acquisition of wealth drives every
decision for both of these characters.