The Desire for Economic Power Enkindling Human Lives: A Marxist Reading of H. R. Haggard’s Novel ‘Beatrice’

Abstract

Abstract

For Marxism the sole motive behind all human activities is acquiring and retaining economic power and in doing so an individual’shistorical circumstances play a pivotal task. The present research takes into account Sir Henry Rider Haggard’s novel ‘Beatrice’ to reinforce the aforementioned Marxist postulate. This study sets to validate theMarxist claim that money is greatest virtue, far greater than ethics and morality. It accentuates the role played by economic conditions in contouring an individual’s character and shaping his personal relationships. It also intends to establishthe Marxist stance that religion is an oppressive ideology.