**Assignment: Exploring Marxism in "The Garden Party" by Katherine Mansfield**
**Objective:**
In this assignment, you will demonstrate your understanding of Marxism and its key features, as well as analyze how these features are reflected in Katherine Mansfield's short story, "The Garden Party".
**Instructions:**
1. **Definition and Features of Marxism:** Provide a concise definition of Marxism and its key features, including:
* Historical materialism
* Dialectical materialism
* Class struggle and class consciousness
* Alienation and exploitation
* The role of ideology and false consciousness
* The concept of revolution and the proletariat
2. **Marxist Analysis of "The Garden Party":** Analyze the short story "The Garden Party" by Katherine Mansfield through a Marxist lens. Identify and discuss how the following Marxist features are reflected in the story:
* Social class and class consciousness: How do the characters' social classes influence their actions, motivations, and relationships?
* Alienation and exploitation: Which characters are alienated from their labor, and how does this affect their lives?
* Ideology and false consciousness: How do the characters' beliefs and values perpetuate social inequality and mask the true nature of their relationships?
* Class struggle: Are there any instances of class struggle or conflict in the story, and if so, how are they resolved?
3. **Critical Argument:** Develop a critical argument that explores the significance of Marxist themes in "The Garden Party". For example, you might argue that:
* The story critiques the bourgeoisie's exploitation of the working class through the character of Laura Sheridan.
* The garden party itself serves as a symbol of the bourgeoisie's attempts to maintain social control andmask the realities of class struggle.
* The character of Mrs. Sheridan embodies the ideology of the bourgeoisie, perpetuating false consciousness and social inequality.
**Requirements:**
* Your assignment should be 3-5 pages in length, double-spaced.
* Use a clear and concise writing style, avoiding plagiarism and adhering to a formal tone.
* Include a clear thesis statement that outlines your argument.
* Provide textual evidence from "The Garden Party" to support your analysis.
* Use proper citation and referencing (e.g., MLA or Chicago style).
**Grading Criteria:**
* Definition and features of Marxism (20 points)
* Marxist analysis of "The Garden Party" (30 points)
* Critical argument and thesis statement (20 points)
* Writing quality, organization, and citation (30 points)
**Submission:**
Please submit your assignment as a Microsoft Word document or Google Doc to [insert submission platform or instructor's email].
**Deadline:**
[Insert deadline]