For Class on 9/24

For Monday's class, read Antonio Gramsci's essay 'The Intellectuals' in the links to the right, paying particular attention to his particular and influential concept of Hegemony. Consider the following: What does Gramsci mean by this , and what might it have to do with the critical question of why, if capitalism was clearly doomed to imminent failure in 1846, it seems to continue? How does a Marxist explain this problem with Marxism?

Also read over the 'Marxist Readings' on the list, paying particular attention to Jamaica Kincaid's 'Girl' (the text is available there as well). The link to the actual Marxist reading of the story is at the bottom of the 'Marxist Literary Readings: Jamaica Kincaid's "Girl"' page, though the background is useful as well.

Then, in a 250-400 word response, respond generally to Williams (which you should have read for last Wednesday) and the Gramsci, and also think about the 'Marxist readings' specifically: what is most useful in these literary readings and what is least? That is, what does this all have to do with literature?

Also, several of the responses for 9/19 were far too brief. Remember that this is a 'w' course: if your response is less than 250 words, it will not count for credit.