In the closing pages of the Communist Manifesto, Marx makes
a transition from a passive to an active call for change. He does this through
both a change in voice as well as a change in language. This abrupt transition adds
emphasis to the text, underscoring the need for immediate action.
Marx switches to a present day voice in the last pages,
thereby alerting the reader to the fact that what is being analyzed is no
longer not history nor future, but present. In the first section of the reading,
Marx tells us about “[t]he theoretical conclusions of the Communists [and its]
distinguishing feature.” (170) By doing so, he sets up the stage with the past
of Communism, giving a final summing up of its major points. Going on to what
he believes will happen, Marx then sets up the visible future. “The proletariat
will use its political supremacy to wrest [control] from the bourgeoisie”.
(175). The last pages of the Communist Manifesto, however, show a change of
pace. Marx tells us that the “Switzerland
[Communists] support the radicals, without losing sight of the fact that this
party consists of antagonistic elements,” (185) and goes on to list the current
activities of the other Communist factions scattered about Europe. These
insights into the current situation help to highlight that the revolution will
occur imminently. No longer a theoretical text, the switch to the present leaves
the reader ending on both the easiest time frame to comprehend and that which
is most immediate. This switch leaves the reader with a sense of urgency, lest
the moment is lost.
Marx’s emphasis on immediacy is further reiterated in his
language. The use of the word word “fight” (185) a total of four times in the
last two pages, as well as “insurrection”, “immediately,”, “eve”, and “prelude”
all seem to signal that the revolution is imminent. His use of these
attention-grabbing words contrasts markedly with the slower-paced,
philosophical language of the economic and cultural sections. Marx’s use of
present language helps to accentuate the just how current the situation he is
describing is. Marx further speaks of how the “Communists turn their
attention chiefly to Germany” and how “Communists
everywhere support every revolutionary movement.” (186) This unity of purpose
is in stark contrast to the fractured
other parties with their “antagonistic elements.” (185) This contrast
illustrates the strength of the Communists at this moment, and their unity.
Their unity allows for coordination, which gives them the upper hand over the
squabbling of other groups and makes the moment perfect for the proletariat to
strike.
Discussion Question(s):
What do you think of Marx’s points regarding the best moment
to act? Alternatively, analyze the relative militancy of Marx’s language.
Gabe, I think that the the change in tone and time at the end of Marx's manifesto is certainly interesting and important. I saw the change to present as to show what the Communists are currently doing plus that they are willing to compromise with other groups. Marx says how, "In France the the Communists ally themselves with the Social-Democrats..." (185). Then he goes on and on to list all of the parties the Communists have compromised with. I think that it is important to end with this sort of listing showing that Communism is not necessarily just Marx's radical thought and that people across the world had begun to take up the cause.
ReplyDeleteAs Gabe has indicated with the title of his blog post, I think this shift indicates that Marx is concluding his arguement with a call to action. The purpose of The Communist Manifesto is to explain the tenets of Communism in a way that would persuade the readers to believe that a transistion to the Communist system is not only immenient but it the best course of action. As both Marlee and Gabe have pointed out, this section refers to the present day activity of the Communist Party. This serves to connect the explanations of the preivous sections to the present day activities, serving as an effective conclusion to the previous arguments and a "call to arms".
ReplyDeleteAs Kyra points out the purpose of the Communist Manifest is to effectively lay out communism in away that readers will ultimately feel that a transition to communism is necessary and good. I do think there is a change as Gabe points out that influences and highlights the immediacy with which Marx feels the situation to contain, but I also think on some level he is just further explaining communism throughout time. The first section of the reading as pointed out tells of the past and, in Marx' opinion, hopeful future of communism, but the ending focuses on what present day communists in France, Switzerland, Poland, and Germany are doing. Marx is simply finishing off the story. I think that his call to arms rather comes from the language he uses. "Let the ruling classes tremble at the Communistic revolution" (186). His words suggest that when the working classes all unite they will be a force. He notes that they have yet to act as such when he exclaims at the end that all working men should unite.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the post and the previous comments and would like to add a possible motive for Marx's reference to the many communist parties around the world and his call to arms. Keep in mind the fact that the communist manifesto was a commissioned work that Marx wrote for the communist league. As an international umbrella organization for communist groups the league would naturally desire an international document for their manifesto. The call to action also makes sense in that the league would want to foment revolutionary feelings that would both expand local communist parties and encourage those groups to look to the league as a source of leadership in organizing the world wide revolution they now feel compelled to bring about.
ReplyDeleteAn somewhat interesting perhaps unintended result of Marx's shifting tone: The section in which he discusses the bourgeoisie opposition to communism is relatively dry, dismissive, and as Gabe points out, passive. His call to action has a very energetic, engaging tone. Readers might be swayed to think communism is the right option just by the tone of Marx's arguments because of the energy and excitement behind his support of communism contrast with the bourgeois opposition lacking in substantive arguments or energy (as portrayed by Marx).
ReplyDeleteMarx gives instructions on how to achieve communism by a means of certain steps. Going along with what Josh says about an energetic call to action, Marx says "The first step in the revolution by the working class, is to raise the proletariate to the position of ruling class" (175). This must be an exciting option for the proletariate, because it makes it seem like there is immediately lots to gain. In reality, the working class is not being pulled significantly up significantly by social standards, but in reality, the Bourgeoisie are being pulled down from their positions of privilege. This is just another example of Marx's persuasive use of language.
ReplyDelete