Marxist theory can be described as a way to understand a piece based on the power structures of a given culture.  Marxism is used to analyze a piece based on whether it supports or negates a given power structure.  One of the ideologies discussed is the idea of oppression of a weaker, suffering group that cannot rise above the class in which the system keeps them.  Class and status are determined by individual circumstance, almost as if to say that someone is in a situation because they did not want to do better, or did not try their best, instead of being determined by outside invisible forces like faith or fate.

This theory also focuses on the material items and who possesses them in a literary work.  For example, in Langston Hughes’s “Theme for English B,” the narrator is unable to afford to live on campus, and instead has to walk a seemingly long distance to and from classes.  This can be argued that because he does not posses a residence on campus, he is left out of the college experience that would allow him to be more involved.  Because of this, the narrator is unable to relate to his wealthier, Caucasian classmates.  In addition to being the only African American student his economic status keeps him oppressed and below the white male students he is surrounded by, despite having the same opportunity to attend college.

One of the contributors to Marxist theory is Louis Althusser.  He argues that Marxist theory is based on a false consciousness in which the majority agree upon a “natural” way of life because it is beneficial to most people.  He also explains that power structures are based on ideologies, which he describes as representations of made up relationships between individuals and the way in which they exist.  “The American Dream” is a great example of Althusser’s argument.  This ideology that everyone wants the same white picket fence and to be married with two or three children only benefits certain people.  Likewise, it excludes and oppresses individuals who do not share that dream.