Commodification of Human Subjectivity in Jin's Under the Red Flag

Abstract

This research examines Ha Jin’s Under the Red Flag in the light of Marxism.Most of the characters of Under the Red Flag are denied access to social justice, equality and genuine treatment as human beings. Workers who are involved in different entrepreneurial sectors are deprived of equal pay, leisure and securities. In the working places, women are hardly guaranteed even a short period of time to look after their kids. They are always rebuked and intimidated to the extent of inhumanity. Workers are so bullied, exploited and dominated. Their subjectivities are robbed and then appear as the victims of ruthless system of capitalism. Li is introduced as being a wealthy man but very cheap and always haggling with sales folk. Because of this, all the townspeople hate him. He also never lets anyone borrow his things. Later on in the story Li is accused of mutiny for dropping their leader's button. Never giving Li a chance to explain himself the community yells at him and taunts him. This thesis has been divided into four chapters. In the first chapter, the researcher introduces the topic, elaborates the hypothesis, and quotes different critics’ views regarding to the text. In the same chapter, the researcher shows the departure also. In the second chapter, the researcher discusses about the theory of Marxism thoroughly. In the third chapter the researcher makes a thorough analysis of the text by applying the theory of Marxism. The last chapter contains the conclusive ending ofthe research.