The Shining Houses- Marxist Literary Criticism

"The Shining Houses" by Alice Munro has many elements of Marxist Literary Criticism. The whole idea of class is very evident. The majority of the characters are from the same middle class. They have similar ideals, and opinions, and are so eager to conform that almost everything about their lives are the same. Difference, any kind at all, is not accepted. There neighbourhood is a good example of their need to conform. Every house looks the same, everything is kept well and neat. All the men work on weekends to make their landscaping look nice. The neighbourhood has a large sense of community, and yet this community only includes those who share their ideas. Any one who is an outsider, such as Mrs. Fullerton, is not included. This is a neighbourhood made up of, with the exception of Mrs. Fullerton, one socio-economic class. They are very concerned with what people think of them and how society will view them. They all hope to one day be even further up in class, and when that day comes, I doubt they will have anything to do with their old neighbours. Mrs. Fullerton is certainely an outsider. I'm not sure it bothers her though. She seems lonely, but somewhat content. Well the community came up with several reasons why it is in their best interests to get her house knocked over, I don't think the house is their real problem. Mrs. Fullerton is not one to immediately conform, and I think the community would really like to get rid of her, not just the house. Mary, by the end of the story has managed to isolate herself from any type of group. She is not concidered to be in the same group as Mrs. Fuller, but she is also seen as different from the rest of the community. Her differing oppinion forces the group to make fun of her, so taht their own wisdom is not jeprodized. No idea opposing the ideals of the society is okay, or even to be considered. The community is almost being persuaded by mob mantality. They all egg each other on and justify it because, everyone else agrees, so it must be right. I think Mary is the real victim. She didn't stand up strong enough to make any kind of change. She didn't present her idea as a good one, but very passively agressively with no real thought. She almost seemed passive. I would also suggest that the community is a victim. They are so consumed with the ideals they think are their own that they have stopped even thinking for themselves. I feel the author present s Mrs. Fuller as the victim, as she portrayes her as being an inicent women, who has bad things happen to her.