July 14, 2006

The poet of dialectics Karl Marx's Das Kapital is a ground-breaking work of economic analysis. But, argues Francis Wheen, it is also an unfinished literary masterpiece which, with its multi-layered structure, can be read as a Gothic novel, a Victorian melodrama, a Greek tragedy or a Swiftian satire
posted by At Swim Two Birds 18 years ago
  • As early as 1846, when the book was already overdue, Marx wrote to his German publisher: "I shall not have it published without revising it yet again, both as regards matter and style. It goes without saying that a writer who works continuously cannot, at the end of six months, publish word for word what he wrote six months earlier." Twelve years later, still no nearer completion, he explained that "the thing is proceeding very slowly because no sooner does one set about finally disposing of subjects to which one has devoted years of study than they start revealing new aspects and demand to be thought out further". An obsessive perfectionist, he was forever seeking out new hues for his palette - studying mathematics, learning about the movement of celestial spheres, teaching himself Russian so he could read books on the country's land system. Probably got into the wodka.
  • That thieving prick Francis Wheen, I will never, ever talk to that man about my political-literary theories at a cocktail party again.
  • Yeah, he still owes me money, Ralph.
  • Didn't know he liked Tristam Shandy; just started re-reading that. Marx is one of those authors I feel I should read, try to, and give up on quickly. Only managed a few of his essays in full. never found the style very engaging, but might have been the translations.
  • Abiezer, have to agree Marx makes for leaden reading. Reminds me of this old piece -- As I was walking on the green A little book I chanced to seen; Carlyle's Essay on Burns was the edition: I left it lying in the same position. -- Anon
  • That's all bullshit. It's a Bazooka Joe comic.
  • /slaps knee
  • I read Wheen's biography of Marx five years ago or so. I enjoyed it.
  • I always tried to live my life by Marx's philosophy, "I would never want to belong to any club that would have me as a member.".
  • I knew I was a Marxist when I found a boiled egg in my purse.
  • Pray, Abiezer, have you not forgot to wind up the clock?
  • Great link. Thx.
  • "And the first question is for you, Karl Marx. The Hammers - The Hammers is the nickname of what English football team? 'The Hammers? "