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Tough-O-Meter

We've got your back. With the Tough-O-Meter, you'll know whether to bring extra layers or Swiss army knives as you summit the literary mountain. (10 = Toughest)

(7) Snow Line

We're not gonna lie: the Manifesto ain't easy. For one thing, Marx comes up with some fairly abstract concepts, such as wage-labor and capital. Understanding all the concepts and how they relate takes some work, and that's before Section 3 gets you bogged down in all the nitpicky differences between socialists and communists who aren't named Karl Marx.

Still, the basic point of the Manifesto is pretty clear: the rich (bourgeoisie) are exploiting the workforce (proletariat), who should join together to overthrow their oppressors and establish a temporary government to transition capitalist society to communism. Just keep that in mind throughout, and check out our helpful wisdom, and you'll be able to make it through.