Marx for Beginners- Sophia Liu

I have studied Karl Marx philosophies in the past when I took a course in Sociology, but this reading assignment allowed me to gain a deeper understanding toward Marx’s theory. Like Freud for Beginners, this book aimed to clarify the complex ideas of Marx through the incorporation of illustrations. However, unlike the previous book where Freud’s philosophies were made easy to grasp and the dry content more absorbable and humorous, this book’s illustration failed to achieve the same intended effect.

Aside from learning more in-depth of Marx’s theory, it was quite shocking to read about Marx’s lifelong financial struggle. In his pursuit of the truth and the solution, he goes to a point where his family and his own health/life were neglected and even sacrificed. What also interests me is Marx’s view toward the ‘creative act’ of man, which he believed has been transformed into a possession with mere monetary value. And while we know how to perform with the tools of our trade, do we necessarily own them? And while we believe art is a free expression, is art truly free from the tyranny of commercialization?