EXPLORING UNEQUAL DISTRIBUTION OF CULTURAL CAPITAL THEORY: THE ALIENATION OF WORKING-CLASS WOMEN IN “THE MOTHER” NOVEL

Abstract

This study offers a critical analysis of Maxim Gorky’s The Mother through the combined lenses of Pierre Bourdieu’s theory of cultural capital and Karl Marx’s concept of alienation, with a focus on the symbolic and cultural dimensions of working-class women’s oppression. By examining the character of Pelageya Nilovna, the research uncovers how cultural deprivation, symbolic violence, and gendered silencing shape her social marginalization and limit her agency. Through close reading and theoretical mapping, the study highlights how informal learning, ideological exposure, and the gradual acquisition of cultural capital enable Pelageya’s transformation from a passive, alienated figure to an empowered political agent. The findings suggest that resistance and social change require not only material redistribution but also access to symbolic tools, speech, and cultural participation. This research contributes to feminist-Marxist literary criticism by emphasizing the intersection of class, gender, and culture in revolutionary narratives and proposing actionable recommendations for educational and policy frameworks.