The Difference Engine, written by William Gibson and Bruce Sterling, imagines an alternative historical outcome during Europe's industrial era in the late 19th century. The book follows three characters with different stories that are intertwined with their relationship with Kinotrope cards, a technological innovation that grants social power to its owner. The first character we are introduced to, Sybil Gerard, acts as a prostitute and thief to avoid her connection with her father, a former leader of the Luddite revolt who met his demise. She accepts Mick Radley's request to become an apprentice adventurer due to her wealth and promises to erase her past. The first part of the book sets the political mood as Mick involves Sybil in her dealings with Houston while also introducing the importance of the Kinotrope cards that connect all three stories. We follow his plot until Swing, an antagonist in search of the cards, kills Mick. We then follow Edward "Leviathan" Mallory, a well-known scholar and paleontologist who discovered the brontosaurus in this time context. Although the authors affirm Mallory's humble and turbulent background, they immediately change his status from a common man to a rich and renowned one. He becomes the card holder after a violent encounter with Swing and then is targeted by Swing throughout his story. Swing ruins Mallory's life by accusing him of murder and destroying his esteemed position in research. In an effort to maintain her reputation and her life, Mallory befriends many high-ranking people including Fraser and Oliphant. Mallory's story ends when she teams up with her two brothers and Fraser to hunt down and kill Swing, which they succeed in doing. The last part of the book follows the papers in the hands of Oliphant, a high-class detective who gets stuck on Mick Radley's case. He meets Sybil near the end of the story and promises her safety in exchange for information. The book's ending reveals the narrator as a machine capable of consciousness, ultimately commenting on the innate power provided by technology, and reveals the authors' warning about the dangers of a technological age. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essayMarxism views society as an organized system of power that drives production and progress. Founded and based on the works and ideas of Karl Heinrich Marx and influencers including Friedrich Engels and GWF Hegel, the theory holds that the political, economic and social climate of a population depends on a class system and how, in literature, the characters and plot remain driven by economic pressure or a general quest for power (Habib 527). Marx's most important book, "The Communist Manifesto," describes: "The history of all hitherto existing societies is the history of class struggles" (Marx 40). This affirms an interpretation of dialectical materialism that history exists because of tensions between class hierarchies (Siegel). To examine the literature, the theory focuses on this class struggle between oppressors and oppressed and how an individual or community fits into this system. The emphasis exists on materialism as the reader sees the conspicuous consumption of a character or setting and the commodification, or implicit value of an object, that society encourages (Siegel). These points of emphasis come from Marx's critique of the distorted power system that exists between the bourgeoisie and the working class in capitalism and its imperialistic nature, thus advocating an “economic interpretation of history” (Morrow). Furthermore, these points of emphasis continue todemonstrate that individuals remain hindered from freedom and spirituality due to materialism and class restrictions projected through art and literature in society. Marxism has influenced many different branches of literary theory, including feminist theory and historicism, however it fails to recognize the human nature of greed as it assumes a population works voluntarily and over-exaggerates “the scope of capitalism” (Morrow). General Marxism outlines how literature is directly related to the material and social values ​​of an environment and how class and power drive history. Gibson and Sterling use the distribution of class and power in relation to nascent technology in "The Difference Engine" to highlight the progression of history as proposed by Marxist theory. As the book focuses on the Babbage engine to create a science fiction narrative, the new controllers of the technology and engines replace the bourgeoisie of Victorian England in this novel (Sussman). Technology begins to replace people, the former productive force. Therefore, the emphasis on Kinotrope cards arises as cards become the key to a new technological innovation, making them the key to power. The card holders can become the controllers of a new era of production and, as Marxism proposes, the top of the class pyramid. Through this setup, Gibson and Sterling create an environment with new aspects of class and class struggles in order to propose a new outcome through violence and a society dominated by its technological advances. Because of this new structural hierarchy, the old productive force of workers reacts by giving rise to Luddites described as industrial rioters and antagonists such as Captain Swing who wish to control the new technology and return power to ordinary workers. The Marxist idea of ​​material and production dictating history permeates throughout Gibson and Sterling's history as a vehicle for progress. Gibson and Sterling reimagine history using the structural foundations of class and production provided by Marxism and suggest rapid change in society resulting from the dichotomy between the role of the common man and the influence of the rich. Famous for his political, economic and philosophical ideas, Karl Marx proposed a new perspective on history and economics that remains admired today. Born in 1818 in Prussia, Marx grew up influenced by the ideas of the Enlightenment, including those of Voltaire, which later shaped his interest in philosophy. His Jewish family lived in wealth while he studied law at the University of Bonn and, later, in Berlin. During his early life Marx participated in radical groups including the Young Hegelians and was passionate about fighting for reform. He became a journalist immediately after graduation and wrote for radical newspapers in Paris until exile, after which he moved to London. Ultimately, Marx abandoned this path of law and journalism when he became intrigued by the philosophy and ideas of GFW Hegel. Inspired, he began to develop his own theory of work and capitalism and coined the term “materialist conception of history” as his philosophy (Berner). Together with his friend and collaborator Friedrich Engels, Marx published his theories in his most influential book, "The Communist Manifesto". Marx explored the dangers of capitalism and how the class tensions of capital and labor perpetuate history in his works and wrote many other novels, including “Das Kapital,” expanding on his ideas. Marx's legacy lives on through his influential works as they inspire a new perspective on work and reform. Marx built his central thesis around the idea of ​​amaterialist conception of history in which class and work tensions perpetuate a society. In his model, the basis of society depends on the modes of production: machines, land and workers (Morrow). This dependence leads to a separation of power which establishes a class system, an integral part of the conception of history. The upper class, defined by Marx as the bourgeoisie, holds control over the modes of production and, inevitably, over the workers who make up the proletarian class. The bourgeoisie and the proletariat are divided by nature into upper classes and lower classes, even if each depends on the other. This natural hierarchy causes tension, raising conflicts and solutions that move society forward (Berner). Marx describes this cycle as a materialist conception of history, stating that a society organizes and develops on the basis of conflicts of inequality. He explains: “Into these certain social and political relations enter certain individuals who are productive and active in a certain way” (Marx). This describes how the people who control production form a base and a superstructure, i.e. an influence on society, and with this form an economic basis. They hold power through their influence as they control the availability of material and the flow of ideas, described as “The production of ideas. . . first it is directly intertwined with the material activity and material relations of men” (Marx). The productive force, made up of workers, due to an imbalance of power comes into conflict with the base and soon starts a social revolution, intending to destroy the current system and establish a new one (Berner). However, if successful, a new hierarchy replaces the old superstructure and the story continues. New generations thrive on the work and products left behind by the older generation, and by building on each latest generation and exploiting new material, the cycle of conflict and resolution endures. Thus, Marx's proposal of a materialist conception of history outlines why social classes remain in most societies and how this hierarchical system initiates development and structure. Gibson and Watson explore an alternative history of the industrial era in Europe where they place emphasis on how Babbage's work arose to transform the means of production and their impact on class hierarchies in context. While acknowledging the Victorian aspects of this era, the authors introduce the effect of technology as an impetus for change in the classic Victorian hierarchical model (Sussman). The revolutionary machine described as: "Babbage's very first Engine, now an honored relic, was still less than thirty years old, but the rapid progression of the Machine had dragged an entire generation in its wake, like a mighty locomotive of the mind" , acts as a catalyst to shift power (Gibson & Watson 150). As a new source of production, technology triumphs as a key mode of production in a growing society, making it the main source of power. These new modes of production replace the old underclass workers, which allows for tensions and conflicts to arise, embodied by industrial radicals who fought to maintain relevance in society. Sybil embodied the failure of this conflict as her father, the leader of the industrial radicals, went bankrupt and left her unable to seek valuable production methods to survive. Although she could not produce material value for society, through social relationships, Sybil gained access to cards, thus giving her power in society. His key role at the end of the novel, revealing the truth about Mick and the papers to Oliphant, demonstrates that his value and power came fromconnection with the new production force, the cards. In contrast, Oliphant embodied the upper class that did not explicitly produce material in society, but held control over those who did. Her character exemplified a major influence on the other two characters as Mallory acted in accordance with the higher power and Sybil capitulated to her investigations, showing her disembodied impact on society. Ultimately, the authors use Mallory as an in-between character, portraying him as a humble scholar who worked on his research, digging and living in the harsh environment of Wyoming, and who came back still a middle-class man with little influence and power . However, Mallory immediately gains wealth through a bet and suddenly becomes the holder of the cards, giving him power of wealth and control. This sudden change shows the imbalance of the hierarchy as one can move up through chance, showing the flaws of the capitalist model described by Marx. However, despite her humble origins, Mallory grows accustomed to wealth, purchasing antiques for her sister and a new home for herself, while seeking saver status through her research. This newly acquired power allowed him to establish ties with Oliphant and Fraser, slowly integrating him into the upper class. However, Mallory's rude and humble personality triumphs when Swing begins sending men to kill him and ruin his reputation as a scholar to obtain the Kinotrope papers. Swing shows a new form of lower class that seeks social revolution to gain value in society, value that machines have replaced in this alternative context. Mallory, as part of a bourgeois class, reacts using the proletarian method of protest and physical battle, and manages to hinder the strength of the revolution. Through his success he shifts society in favor of a higher class system as new savants take power and control over society and technology triumphs over workers. The progression of power holds to Marx's theory as society continues to progress by those who control production, symbolized by the Kinotrope card holder throughout the novel. A friend of Marx and co-author of the "Communist Manifesto", Friedrich Engels "played a key role" in shaping and defining the ideas of Marxist theory. Born on November 28, 1820 in Barmen, Prussia, a city focused on industry and manufacturing, Engels grew up around industry and manufacturing (Hammen). His father, a textile manufacturer, influenced Engels to go into commerce, and in turn, Engels had no formal education. However, Engels proved intelligent and formed radical ideas during his compulsory military service in Berlin, where he met some Young Hegelians (Hammen). Dissatisfied with his career in business, he began writing as a journalist and observed the structure of capitalism in Manchester while working with his father. When he later went to Paris and discussed his ideas with Marx, they realized the similarities in their philosophies and decided to write down their ideas together. His works exploring labor include "The Condition of the Working Class in England", a work inspired by his time in Manchester (Hammen). However, unable to support himself and Marx with his writing career alone, Engels eventually returned to business but eventually sold his shares when he became financially stable. He spent the end of his life expanding his ideas with Marx in London until his death in 1895. As Marx's co-author, Engels shared the same ideas as Marx, but found ways to apply the framework to science and history as an explanation of a news storyof the company. His theory, called Dialectical Materialism, expanded the materialist conception of history by proposing that the value placed on objects and a society's need and desire for these objects cause the cycle of conflict and resolution. Engels writes: "The state is nothing but an instrument of oppression of one class by another, no less in a democratic republic than in a monarchy" (Engels). This states that people in power purposely limit other classes from obtaining material value in order to control power. This “oppression of one class by another” reinforces Marx's explanation that the state becomes the vehicle of conflict in a society. However, unlike Marx, Engels suggests: “The men who founded the modern rule of the bourgeoisie had anything but bourgeois limitations” (Engels). It implies that the material world comes from the common man since the bourgeoisie was once composed of common men who came to power according to Marx's revolutionary cycle. Therefore, dialectical materialism involves the common man establishing a system of material power, working his way up to the upper classes, eventually becoming the bourgeoisie, and being replaced by previously common men in the continuation of the cycle. While Marx claims that the bourgeoisie causes the materialist cycle, Engels proposes a new perspective in which the common man perpetuates history. The lower classes' perception of the upper class leads them to fight and replace the bourgeoisie, ultimately making the common man the perpetuator of the cycle of conflict and resolution. Gibson and Sterling criticize the framework proposed by Dialectical Materialism by using an ordinary man and giving him power and status. Edward Mallory displays the cliché of the common man and the authors highlight his rough and tough exterior which was shaped by his hardships growing up in a lower class with a large family and pursuing archeology under illegal pretenses. Mallory worked hard and took every available opportunity for her pursuits or wealth. At his lowest point he implores, “Let us go away from the fashionable palace, to a house where they don't mind letting a man in with nothing but the coat on his shoulders” (Gibson & Sterling 238). He rejects the “Palace” that symbolizes security and wealth for a place where he would be accepted as a beggar, even after experiencing the privilege of wealth and power. Likewise, the antagonist, Captain Swing, presents an ordinary man fighting for the cause of the ordinary man. Swing believes, “The country is in the hands of erudite fools with too much money and hearts of stone” (Gibson & Watson 228). It symbolizes the lower class rising up to destroy the established bourgeoisie which reflects Marx's perspective. However, Gibson and Sterling use Mallory, a common man who has risen to the upper class, to defeat the revolt started by Swing. During the confrontation between the characters, Mallory loses the rich composure he has adapted and becomes the humble but tough Wyoming man he was first introduced to. Thus, a common man, Mallory, defeated the common man's revolution. The authors convey Engels' perspective with this plot as the common man causes the perpetuation of society, not a bourgeoisie. Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, an important philosopher of the late 18th century, laid the foundations of Marxism through his ideas and works. Born in Stuttgart on August 27, 1770 to a revenue officer and a high-ranking mother in society, Hegel lived a privileged life for his time (Froeb). His mother died during his childhood, but his father ensured that Hegel received a formal education. He attended a Latin school until the age of 18 and discovered an interest in the ideas of the EnlightenmentGerman and continued his philosophy studies at the University of Tbingena, a Protestant seminary (Froeb). He took up the occupation of private tutor to continue his independent study of Greek and Roman philosophy and classics. In this period he wrote essays and various texts until problems with the family he worked for forced him to look for another job. Shortly thereafter he became a professor at Privatdozent and published his first work, "The Phenomenology of Mind". Hegel emphasized the idea of ​​contradiction and how negation shapes a society. Financial pressures pushed Hegel to continue writing as teaching did not pay (Froeb). Unable to make a living from his career, he moved to Bamberg and became editor (Froeb). Although he had many careers throughout his life, he continued to write down his theories throughout his life. Hegel's legacy lived on in his works and in the students who followed his ideas who called themselves the Young Hegelians. At the end of his life he went to teach at the University of Berlin and died in Berlin in 1831. Unlike Marx and Engels, Hegel looked towards the broader perspective of Totality which emphasizes the result rather than the method while analyzing the intrinsic contradictions that they derive from it. influenced the result. According to his vision of Totality, “Only the whole is true. Every stage or phase or moment is partial, and therefore partially false." (Spencer). This makes the method of achieving the goal irrelevant, whether it is the bourgeoisie or the common man who causes the change. In particular, Hegel inspired Marxist theory, so his perspective remains a broader idea than those of Marx and Engels. Within Hegel's theory we notice the negations, that is, the contradiction inherent in the course of history. For example, the violence of a revolution and uprising ultimately leads to a new order and a structural basis for society. This paradox of violence bringing order describes the course of history from Hegel's perspective. In his theory of Negation three main types of contradiction are found: Being, Essence and Notion. The contradiction of Being describes a juxtaposition in which seemingly contradictory aspects actually relate upon closer examination. The essence defines: “opposite pairs immediately implicate each other” (Spencer). Finally, Notion refers to Totality as it emphasizes “concepts. . . whose component parts. . . they are conceptually interconnected” (Spencer). Hegel considers history as a sum of results ignoring the impulse towards the result while recognizing the relationships and contradiction between the causes. Overall, Hegel calls for a focus on the current outcome and expected outcome to define our place as a society. Gibson and Sterling use Hegel's view of Totality and negation to reimagine the course of history. The result of a society dominated by technology, still organized in a class hierarchy, evidently describes the success of industry with respect to work in the setting of this novel. The events that led to this outcome, the Luddite revolution, become irrelevant and forgotten as the quest for the Kinotrope cards, the main innovation, wins over the characters. The authors write, “Succession of power is everything,” emphasizing that only successors matter in the current context (Gibson and Sterling 385). Gaining power establishes control, and the challenges faced in gaining power do not matter once you dictate power. For example, the Swing revolution initiated class conflict and the reclamation of power. Mallory, as a rich man, returned to his humble origins and defeated Swing, causing the company to continue as before, except Mallory gained higher status and power... 2016.