Thorough, Repetitive
Count on Marx to write out every last drop of info about his theory—and then to repeat it all several times to make sure you've got it. He's changing the world, man, and he doesn't want you to get any of it wrong, lest the revolution not come off successfully (whoops).
We can think of no better example of Karl's clunky long-windedness—er, thorough precision—that section three of Chapter 1, where he goes on and on—and on—about how 20 yards of linen equals one coat, but if the linen is worth twice as much, then you only need 10 yards of linen to equal one coat, and then on the other hand, if the linen is worth half as much, in that case you'll be needing 40 yards of linen to get your coat.
Right. Arithmetic. Thanks.
It is pretty handy-dandy for Marx to be so repetitive, though. He sums up previous sections pretty quickly, rehearsing the whole story so far in case you've fallen asleep at any point.
Good thing, 'cause we totally did.