Critical Theory and the Marxist Paradigm

Abstract

Like the apparent departure from history in poststructuralism, the return to history in recent literary and cultural criticism has been effected within the parameters of the classical marxist problematique. As a result, the most various modes of modern historical and theoretical writing - marxist, ‘marxisant’ and nonmarxist - represent differences within the perimeters of a single complex field of discourse rather than disparate and unrelated camps. Current ‘post-marxist’ and post-poststructuralist work is making the perimeters of this field more visible while attempting, with varying degrees of success, to move beyond the frame of reference defined by the founding fathers.

‘The acts of the fathers are a sign to the sons.’