On Eagleton's Western Marxist Cultural Theory

Terry Eagleton, a unique British theorist, is known for his study on Western Marxism and culture theory. Witty minds, abundant writings, firm Marxism standpoint and polemical style brought him glorious reputation universally. This thesis concentrates on Eagleton's Marxism culture theory and after reading his theory works in detail, of course faithful to his works, I tried to comprehensively, systematically and thoroughly analyze and expound on Eagleton's culture ideology and theory. In addition, this provides a point-cut, with which we can conduct a further study on Eagleton's case and grasp Western Marxism in a macro view.Based on the theory of Terry Eagleton's text and being faithful to his theory, this thesis strives to trace out his Marxism culture theory's original appearance. This thesis is comprised of three parts, introduction, body part, and conclusion. The body consists of three parts. The first section is about Eagleton's idea concerning culture's conception, definition and situation that culture is facing, based on Marxism theory, besides, constructive ideas for "common culture". The second section, by criticizing postmodernism, Eagleton showed his attitude toward it and he wanted to preserve the status of Marxism which postmodernism is utmost to overthrow. The third section talked about Eagleton's dream that Marxism would take the place of postmodernism and he hoped that kinds of Marxism conception defamed by postmodernism .Using theory of Marxism to do theory construction after postmodernism, in fact, is not only an extension of Marxism, but also a reconstruction after postmodernism. The final part illuminates the Terry Eagleton's Marxism culture theory's reference and deficiencies.Eagleton, one of the younger generation of Western Marxist literary theory, was introduced to China very early just after Reform and Opening up. As early as 1980, his Marxism and Literary Criticism was introduced to Chinese readers. And then, Literary Theory: An Introduction, Aesthetic Ideology, The Illusions of Postmodernism, After Theory, Sweet Violence: the Idea of tragic, The Idea of Culture has also been translated into Chinese and published. Although he has visited China twice to give lectures, generally speaking, the Chinese readers still know a little about him. This thesis analyses Terry Eagleton's culture theory from an aerial perspective. Since study of Eagleton's culture theory in China is still at the beginning and culture study pays less attention to Eagleton's theoretical contributions and special position, this thesis is a supplement. Meanwhile, Eagleton's militant style and strong political tendency is also an inspiration to study Marxism in contemporary China. Especially in the current context of postmodernism filled with culture study and culture hot, it's very important to do study on Eagleton's culture criticism in China. And this is the significance and innovation of this thesis.