Comparing The Communist Manifesto And John Lennon's Song 'Imagine'
Mrs. P
1st Block
8 March 2011
Perfect Communism The likes and differences of Carl Marx’s The Communist Manifesto and John Lennon’s song “Imagine” are exceedingly significant. In a world with threatening circumstances from other countries with different philosophies, John Lennon dreams of world peace. Research was done to elucidate Carl Marx’s theory, analyze John Lennon’s song “Imagine” and show the contrast between the two beliefs. In Carl Marx’s book The Communist Manifesto, he writes about a theory of social organization which is based on the holding of all property in common and is available to all as needed (Mish 267). “In the ‘Preface to the English Edition of 1888,’ Engels noted that ‘The history of the Manifesto reflects the history of the modern working-class movement’ and identified it as the most international of all Socialist literature” (Karolides). It is evident because in a perfect world communism would thrive, but it is not a perfect world. People are addicted to power and money. It seems that the more communism is forced upon society the more people yearn for sovereignty. “Marx and Engels saw the Communist Party as …show more content…
the only one that had as its purpose the advancing of the true interests of the proletariat as a class” (Karolides). It is palpable that because communism is equal, everyone is working for the benefit of society. It is clear that the unifying force of communism is with everyone working as a whole for the betterment of the community. Karl Marx thinks communism works. John Lennon asks his listeners to “Imagine” what it would be like to live in a world of freedom and peace. “John Lennon’s works were about peace and the world coming together. Imagine was one of the most popular songs ever written and the sentiments are peace” (Bourchier). It is obvious that John Lennon imagines a perfect world. This illustrates that John Lennon dreams of a world of peace. “Imagine there’s no countries— It isn’t hard to do. Nothing to kill or die for, And no religion too. Imagine all the people Living life in peace” (Buckley).
These are lyrics from “Imagine”. They are magical words and full of metaphors. It is understandable how he must dream of a world of harmony. John Lennon feels that people should imagine a peaceful world. Carl Marx and John Lennon have two extremely different beliefs of how our world should function.
“In England Marx devoted himself to study and writing and to efforts to build an international communist movement” (“MARX”). Marx wants to change the world by developing a communist movement. Marx believes this is the best way for us to live. “Imagine is an incredibly radical song that ask people to stop holding on to religion, possessions and jingoist nationalism in favor of a brotherhood of man” (Calhoun). It is clear that John Lennon devoted himself to writing songs asking his listeners to imagine a perfect world of peace and tranquility. He was trying to convince others to have the same viewpoint as him. Differences are similar in some ways, as in Carl Marx’s beliefs of communism are similar to John
Lennon’s. Karl Marx and John Lennon have two very different viewpoints of how our world should be. Karl Marx believes that “We cannot exist without constantly revolutionizing the instruments of production, and thereby the relations of production, and with them the whole relations of society” (Marx 8). This statement shows how Karl Marx feels about the importance of work and its value in building a society. On the other hand, John Lennon has an opposite view. John Lennon wants freedom and world peace. These two beliefs are different, but they have one parallel, which is they both want a perfect world. In a world with different situations and different views, John Lennon imagines a perfect world, maybe a communist world that would be perfect with peace.
Works Cited
Buckley Jr., Wm. F. “Count Me Out.” National Review 42:22 (1990): 62. MAS Ultra – School Edition. EBSCO. Web. 30 Jan. 2011.
Bourchier, Daniel. "Imagine John Lennon in Darwin." Northern Territory News. Newspaper Source. EBSCO. Web. 30 Jan. 2011.
Calhoun, Brady S. "Say you want a revolution." News Herald, The (Panama City, FL) 07 May 2009: Newspaper Source. EBSCO. Web. 30 Jan. 2011.
Karolides, Nicholas J. "Manifesto of the Communist Party." Banned Books: Literature Suppressed on Political Grounds, Revised Edition. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2006. Bloom 's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc. Web. 29 Jan. 2011.
MARX, Karl and Friedrich Engels. The Communist Manifesto. Canada: Canadian Copyright Licensing Agency, 2004. Print.
"Marx, Karl." Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia. EBSCO. Web. 30 Jan. 2011.
Mish, Frederick C. Webster’s ninth New Collegiate Dictionary. MA: Merriam-Webster Inc., 1985. Print.
1st Block
8 March 2011
Perfect Communism The likes and differences of Carl Marx’s The Communist Manifesto and John Lennon’s song “Imagine” are exceedingly significant. In a world with threatening circumstances from other countries with different philosophies, John Lennon dreams of world peace. Research was done to elucidate Carl Marx’s theory, analyze John Lennon’s song “Imagine” and show the contrast between the two beliefs. In Carl Marx’s book The Communist Manifesto, he writes about a theory of social organization which is based on the holding of all property in common and is available to all as needed (Mish 267). “In the ‘Preface to the English Edition of 1888,’ Engels noted that ‘The history of the Manifesto reflects the history of the modern working-class movement’ and identified it as the most international of all Socialist literature” (Karolides). It is evident because in a perfect world communism would thrive, but it is not a perfect world. People are addicted to power and money. It seems that the more communism is forced upon society the more people yearn for sovereignty. “Marx and Engels saw the Communist Party as …show more content…
the only one that had as its purpose the advancing of the true interests of the proletariat as a class” (Karolides). It is palpable that because communism is equal, everyone is working for the benefit of society. It is clear that the unifying force of communism is with everyone working as a whole for the betterment of the community. Karl Marx thinks communism works. John Lennon asks his listeners to “Imagine” what it would be like to live in a world of freedom and peace. “John Lennon’s works were about peace and the world coming together. Imagine was one of the most popular songs ever written and the sentiments are peace” (Bourchier). It is obvious that John Lennon imagines a perfect world. This illustrates that John Lennon dreams of a world of peace. “Imagine there’s no countries— It isn’t hard to do. Nothing to kill or die for, And no religion too. Imagine all the people Living life in peace” (Buckley).
These are lyrics from “Imagine”. They are magical words and full of metaphors. It is understandable how he must dream of a world of harmony. John Lennon feels that people should imagine a peaceful world. Carl Marx and John Lennon have two extremely different beliefs of how our world should function.
“In England Marx devoted himself to study and writing and to efforts to build an international communist movement” (“MARX”). Marx wants to change the world by developing a communist movement. Marx believes this is the best way for us to live. “Imagine is an incredibly radical song that ask people to stop holding on to religion, possessions and jingoist nationalism in favor of a brotherhood of man” (Calhoun). It is clear that John Lennon devoted himself to writing songs asking his listeners to imagine a perfect world of peace and tranquility. He was trying to convince others to have the same viewpoint as him. Differences are similar in some ways, as in Carl Marx’s beliefs of communism are similar to John
Lennon’s. Karl Marx and John Lennon have two very different viewpoints of how our world should be. Karl Marx believes that “We cannot exist without constantly revolutionizing the instruments of production, and thereby the relations of production, and with them the whole relations of society” (Marx 8). This statement shows how Karl Marx feels about the importance of work and its value in building a society. On the other hand, John Lennon has an opposite view. John Lennon wants freedom and world peace. These two beliefs are different, but they have one parallel, which is they both want a perfect world. In a world with different situations and different views, John Lennon imagines a perfect world, maybe a communist world that would be perfect with peace.
Works Cited
Buckley Jr., Wm. F. “Count Me Out.” National Review 42:22 (1990): 62. MAS Ultra – School Edition. EBSCO. Web. 30 Jan. 2011.
Bourchier, Daniel. "Imagine John Lennon in Darwin." Northern Territory News. Newspaper Source. EBSCO. Web. 30 Jan. 2011.
Calhoun, Brady S. "Say you want a revolution." News Herald, The (Panama City, FL) 07 May 2009: Newspaper Source. EBSCO. Web. 30 Jan. 2011.
Karolides, Nicholas J. "Manifesto of the Communist Party." Banned Books: Literature Suppressed on Political Grounds, Revised Edition. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2006. Bloom 's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc. Web. 29 Jan. 2011.
MARX, Karl and Friedrich Engels. The Communist Manifesto. Canada: Canadian Copyright Licensing Agency, 2004. Print.
"Marx, Karl." Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia. EBSCO. Web. 30 Jan. 2011.
Mish, Frederick C. Webster’s ninth New Collegiate Dictionary. MA: Merriam-Webster Inc., 1985. Print.