Marxist Realism: Kobayashi Takiji and the Politics of Representation

This paper explores the cross-cultural dynamics and contradictions that surface when attempting to apply universal claims of Marxist literary aesthetics particular case a non-Western national tradition. More specifically, key work 1930s proletarian writer, Kobayashi Takiji (“The Factory Ship”) his mentoring relationship critic, Kurahara Korehito, will be analyzed by examining tensions in trying remain faithful universal, international global Marxism, while also respecting Japanese historical cultural particulars conditions. Broadly speaking, issues Kobayashi/Kurahara reflect inherent difficulties maintaining metanarrative dimension orthodox Marxism belies its Western framework regarding world movements. The tension between poles Marxism’s vs context frames parallel literary/aesthetic realm art political content; remaining true former may bracket assumed-to-be applicable state latter. In short, question viability fiction’s realism (namely, literariness) fidelity orthodoxy, often articulated terms form versus content. Finally, this culture setting literature politics indicate within revolutionary ambitions idealist philosophy, namely Hegelianism. Stated differently, is philosophy itself art/fiction – utopic impulse classless society worldwide revolution at odds with realities specific conditions ‘on ground’?