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The Matrix and Critical Theory's Desertion of the Real

2006; Routledge; Volume: 3; Issue: 4 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1080/14791420600984243

1479-4233

Dana L. Cloud,

Critical Theory and Philosophy

This article uses the narratives of the popular films The Matrix, Matrix: Reloaded, and Matrix: Revolutions as a lens through which to discuss the problems of the real and human agency in contemporary critical theory. Alongside a reading of the films' invocations of social theory, the article describes parallel academic theories whose strongest structuralist and poststructuralist manifestations abandon conceptions of the real and willful human agency. In a field whose pessimistic narrative of Marxism often begins with anti-humanist structuralism, classical Marxist discourse theories offer a viable standpoint-based concept of reality upon which to found solidaristic human action.