Marxist literary criticism is a method that examines texts through a Marxist lens by focusing on issues of social class, power, and economic relationships. A Marxist critic analyzes how a work portrays class relations and social conflicts, as well as whether oppressed groups are able to overcome their oppression. Key concepts in Marxist criticism include the proletariat and bourgeoisie, with the proletariat representing the working class who are exploited under capitalism for the benefit of the bourgeoisie, or middle/upper classes.