Commodity Fetishism in "Money" by William Henry Davies

Commodity Fetishism in "Money" by William Henry Davies

Commodity fetishism , a concept rooted in Marxist theory, refers to the social process wherein commodities are ascribed qualities beyond their physical or functional attributes. Essentially, this phenomenon involves attributing human traits or social relationships to inanimate objects. This process leads to the perception that these objects hold intrinsic social value, influencing and distorting how individuals interact and perceive their surroundings. In William Henry Davies' poem "Money," while the term commodity fetishism is not explicitly used, the poem critiques societal tendencies to equate material wealth with personal worth and social status. The poem reflects how material possessions, particularly money, come to symbolize deeper social and personal values, thereby revealing the impact of commodity fetishism on human relationships and societal values. How the Poem Reflects Commodity Fetishism Money as a Social Determinant The poem illustrates how money serves as a det…