Style Analysis of The Communist Manifesto: Part One

     Just as Communism itself was created for the downtrodden, the oppressed, the common man, the proletariat, Marx crafted a deceptively simple description of his ideals to appeal to just these people. Marx's work has resonated with the working class since its inception because it is geared in ideology and in rhetoric towards the people most susceptible to change, those unsatisfied with their current environment.
    Another rhetorical strategy the author uses to sway others' opinions is dehumanizing the bourgeoisie.On page 53, he states that

"The bourgeoisie, wherever it has got the upper hand, has put an end to all feudal, patriarchal, idyllic relations. It has pitilessly torn asunder the motley feudal ties that bound man to his 'natural superiors' and has left no other nexus between man and man than naked self-interest, than callous 'cash payment.' It has drowned the most heavenly ecstasies of religious fervor of chivalrous enthusiasm, of philistine sentimentalism, in the icy water of egotistical calculation."

      Marx's desire is to motivate people who feel oppressed, so by creating an elusive and undefined, cold and calculating common enemy, he unites himself and his readers. He repeatedly connects capitalism to exploitation and brings up examples of situations where people have been exploited by the upper class. Each time he mentions patriarchal systems (e.g. feudalism), which are often looked upon as oppressive, he connects them to a family relationship based on trust and mutual affection. He relates capitalism to ice, nakedness, and selfishness, three of the basest tenets of human existence.
     The bourgeoisie is not the only group portrayed as faceless and nameless. Marx makes a point to describe the proletariat as being stripped of their individuality by the industrial age. Machinery, according to the author, ended the Middle Ages and the division of labor into specialized trades. As work became more and more monotonous, laborers were paid progressively less. This pattern has existed in all civilizations, and each ruling class has descended, first from supposedly divine ruler to monarch, then from monarch to feudal nobleman, then from feudalism to the bourgeois, and from bourgeois to the proletariat. On page 65, Marx uses the word "inevitable" to describe this path, to convince readers of his certainty. His diction reflects no uncertainty throughout the book.
    At the time this book was written, a large portion of the world practiced religion. Marx uses religious imagery to argue his point, saying that in capitalism, "all that is holy is profaned," (54). However, Marx and most communists are staunchly against religion. Just as Mark Twain characterized Jim as stupid before developing him as a caring, wise person, Marx creates a foundation in religion and then brings readers away from it, to avoid alienating his audience.
    The simple style and strong working-class slant fulfill their purpose. This book both shares Marx's ideas and sways the opinions of the masses; his rhetoric is very strong in this manner. One consequence of this is that it alienates anyone with a different viewpoint, successful business owners are characterized as the villains of society, so they would be unconvinced. In this manner, The Communist Manifesto is effective in motivating those who already partially agree but would not be persuasive to any dissenters.