Which of the following statements best describes Terry Eagleton’s views on literature?

Correct option is A

Explanation:

Terry Eagleton, a Marxist literary critic, argues that literature is deeply embedded in the ideological apparatus of society. In his influential work Literary Theory: An Introduction, Eagleton suggests that literature often serves as a tool for reproducing and legitimizing the dominant social order and ideologies.

• Literature reflects the values and beliefs of the ruling class and works subtly to maintain societal hierarchies.
• However, Eagleton also acknowledges that literature can critique or subvert these ideologies, making it a complex cultural phenomenon.

Information Booster:

1. Literature is a cultural product shaped by power structures and ideology.
2. Eagleton critiques the notion of literature as autonomous or purely aesthetic, emphasizing its role in societal power dynamics.
3. His Marxist perspective highlights the intersection of literature, politics, and economics.

Additional Knowledge:

1. Reflecting social reality directly: While Eagleton acknowledges that literature can reflect reality, he argues that this reflection is mediated by ideology and cannot be purely direct.
2. Producing beauty and pleasure: Eagleton critiques the aestheticist view that literature's primary role is to provide pleasure or beauty, arguing instead that it is ideologically charged.
3. Allied to religion: While Eagleton discusses the historical alignment of literature and religion, this is not his primary characterization of literature's role in society.