Daniel Dafoe’s A Journal of the Plague Year: A Marxist analysis

Abstract

This research looks at Daniel Dafoe's A Journal of the Plague year through lens of Marxist theory. Class distinction and exploitation are significant concerns of Marxist thought. Defoe delineated the devastating situation of Londoners in 1664. This research highlights the other side of the picture and sheds light on the exploitation of the marginalized and poor class of London. During 1664 a great plague struck London, but class exploitation and capitalism proved more destructive for the lower class of London than the plague. During the year 1664 London was in the firm grip of imperialism and capitalism. Through the lens of Marxism, this research investigates the struggle between the two classes of London during 1664. The analysis technique of textual analysis is used in this qualitative work.