A Marxist Analyzation of Neil Gaimans A Dream of a Thousand Cats

by Frances Vazquez
As a Marxist theorist, one is constantly analyzing the social classes and the conflicts that result from their divisions. The ostensive powers of this theory are the capitalist and the proletariat. The capitalist are the produces or in Marxist terms the bourgeoise or the elite class. The proletariats are the labor workers or working class. The desire of the proletariate is to gain control over the social structure that has been blindly implemented by the Capitalist . Neil Gaimans A dream of a Thousand Cats, demonstrates a division of social classes between humans and cats. The hegemonic superstructure created by the human owners of their beloved Siamese cat defaults, thus creating an attempt to revolutionize society as whole through a dream of revelation. Marxism declares that the social conditions are in the hands of the Capitalist because of their control over political and business affiliations. The proletariat then begins to accept the beliefs of their leadership, under hegemonic condition the majority of citizens so effectively internalized what their rulers want them to believe that they genuinely believe they are voicing their own opinion (Hasanat Marxism). The Siamese cat becomes aware of her surroundings once her kittens, defenseless in their situation are shoved into a bag and thrown in a pond by her owner Paul, and I fooled myself --- As, perhaps, many of you fooled yourselves-- That I was in control of my own life (Gaiman 2-8). The mistress, believing her treatment was fair by Paul and Marion was deceptive in their part because they provided her with food and shelter for just a small amount of warmth in return. Not understanding this was their perverse way to gain control over her and society as a whole, they fed me, did they not? They gave me comfort and warmth (Gaiman 2-8). The hegemonic spell broke once the Siamese lost control of her beloved kittens. The true intentions of her owners over her life is to isolate her from other cats that are not of her pedigree, moreover to keep her away from the companionship and love. They want her for themselves, disregarding her own dreams of being a mother to her own creation. Her kittens are of no value to them, and during a dispute between Paul and Marion, Paul questions his wife, Cute? Shes a pure - bred blue point Siamese! These little bundles of fluff aren't worth diddly squat (Gaiman 2-9). Marxist theorist Fredric Jameson interprets the suggested behavior as political unconsciousness, the repressed conditions of exploitation and oppression... is to uncover the political unconsciousness present in a text (Bressler 175). The relationship between the owners and their cat reveals fragmentation. The owners attempt to oppress their cat results in a revolution, Most important through such an analysis, Marxist critics want to disclose to the working classes how they may terminate their suffering by the bourgeoisie through a commitment to socialism (Bressler 178). After having a dream of prophetic revelation, she discovers that humans were at one time under the oppression of very large cats. Humans were the hunted prey of the cats. In the dream a man with golden hair united with others and began to speak of taking over. They succeeded in this union by creating a revolution against the cats, by cohesively dreaming of a new world ruled by humans. The Siamese then makes a critical decision to run away from her owners, I left the humans that very day, to spread the good news (Gaiman 2).
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She preaches her desires to cats throughout her surrounding area in hopes of one day reverting back to her dream of cats ruling the world, I have spoken to one cat, and to many. And wherever I have gone, my message is the same... (Gaiman 2). The Siamese revolution begins through communication with other cats. She is aware, A societys worldview is craftily shaped by a complex network of messages sent to each individual through the elements contained in the superstructure...(Bressler 173). Her preaching has become very popular amongst home kittens and stray cats and all set out that evening to listen to her, particularly a small white kitten. the white kitten, unaware of the public speaker that evening is asked by a tom cat, Shes here. Are you coming? It should be amusing (Gaiman 2-2). He advises her to escape to hear the message of the Siamese. The young kitten replies with utter fear because it has no way of escaping from the house, which is an example of how the proletariate reacts when they become aware of a rebellion. They fear of going against the societal ways. The stray cat points out the hole it can escape from, the kitten bravely wiggles her way out. Once the vision of freedom becomes a reality, bravery consumes the proletariate and all guilt, punishment, fear of being singled out as weird or different or poor or dangerous... (Hasanat Marxism), is no loner the ruling factor. The kitten set herself free and courageously joins the other cats. It is a natural desire of a human to take over those that are weak and vulnerable in this fragmented world. The story shares a two sided coin of the bourgeoisie and the oppressed working class. In "A dream of a Thousand Cats," a dream becomes the motivation for change. Like many other rebellions that have been started by a dream, such as Martin Luther King Jrs I Have a Dream speech. It gives new hope for change and demonstrates the possibility of a new reality for those who are oppressed. Kings speech reached thousands of people from all different nations. The vision of the Siamese becomes her motivation for change, she is adamant in sharing the good new to others just like her. As King, she set out to spread her message to all that would listen. In the end the white kitten that so courageously sneaks out of the house to listen to her leaves with excitement. The Siamese speech reached the heart of this kitten immersing a rebellion within her.

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Work Cited Bressler, C. E. Literary criticism: An introduction to theory and practice. 5th. Upper Saddle River: Longman / Pearson, 2011. Book. Gaiman, Neil. "A Dream of a Thousand Cats." Gaiman, N. The Sandman: Dream country. Ed. K. Berger and T. Peyer. Vol. 3. New York: DC Comics, 2010. Comic.

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