MARXIAN CONCEPTS OF POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE HERMENEUTICS

Abstract

The aim of the paper is to draw attention to the question of ultimate meanings in literary studies and its utilization for the sake of betterment of society. It starts with a view on how societies interpret their cultural products through Marxism, but not only pure Marxism but its combination with psychoanalysis, especially that of Lacan. Then, the paper delves into the question of subjectivity, or more precisely, the question of “subject.” Subject as a source of knowledge is reshaped in our digital era, and that is part of this second investigation. The third step is artistic rendering of a deeply political topic—historicity. “Positive hermeneutics” is viewed as approaching utopia in the chosen work of art. However, in our conclusion, the positive hermeneutic traits of historical perspectives do not necessarily provide good political solutions. On the other side, “negative hermeneutics” has been integrated into our academic spaces for a long time, but the paper does not delve into that path as a separate issue. The whole idea is to present how successful the combination of intellectual activity, political space and artistic or utopian endeavor can be. None of these items should be viewed as separate, and that is also the point of the paper.