Marxism and Modernism

Marxism and Modernism: An Historical Study of Lukács, Brecht, Benjamin, and Adorno delves into the intricate and transformative interplay between two of the 20th century's most influential intellectual movements. The study situates itself in the historical confluence of Marxist theory and aesthetic modernism, exploring how the dialogue between these traditions shaped critical cultural analysis. Through a meticulous examination of Georg Lukács, Bertolt Brecht, Walter Benjamin, and Theodor Adorno, the book seeks to illuminate how each thinker grappled with modernist culture's challenges and potentials within the framework of Marxist theory. By tracing the intersections of their biographies, historical contexts, and philosophical engagements, the book sheds light on the broader intellectual currents that influenced their work.

The text focuses particularly on the period from 1920 to 1950, when these thinkers formulated their responses to the tumultuous social and political transformations of the time, including World War I, the Weimar Republic, and the rise of fascism and Stalinism. These contexts are not treated merely as a backdrop but as integral to the ideas and theories produced. The book underscores the ways in which these theorists critically redefined Marxist aesthetics, engaging deeply with the fragmented, alienated, and paradoxical experiences characteristic of modernist art. This comparative analysis not only highlights the diversity within Marxist-modernist engagements but also offers a lens to examine the enduring relevance of their ideas for contemporary cultural critique.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1982.