The term ‘Cultural Materialism’ was coined by Raymond Williams, a Welsh novelist and socialist writer.
In a short essay published in the New Left Review in 1976, Raymond Williams mentions the term ‘Cultural Materialism’.
What is meant by cultural materialism?
Raymond Williams explores the relationship between culture and material conditions.
He argues that culture is deeply intertwined with economic and social structures. He explains that culture, as a dynamic process, is shaped by material realities.
In simple words, whatever literature or art is produced, it is directly related to the cultural, political, social, and economic conditions of society at that particular time.
Any work produced is influenced by the factors that are present at the time for the creator or the writer.
He emphasizes that culture is a productive process, as the study of the literature of any age or time period would reflect the prevalent values of that society.
How is it related to literature?
If any cultural text is influenced by all the values present in society, then the literature that emerges from these values would inherent the dominant values of the society, the influence of hegemonic forces of the time.
As culture exists in constant change, it impacts both the past and the future.
So, cultural materialism plays an important role in art, literature, and architecture.
Primarily, it helps to understand the effects of technology, economy, the political struggles of a society, and its systems of governance, along with social and political narratives.
It is a reflection of the structures of society.
I hope, this simple and short explanation was helpful to you.
Happy reading 🙂