Critical Analysis of Conceptual Metaphor: The Case of the "Labour-Process" in Marx's Capital

This article employs the framework of Conceptual Metaphor Theory (CMT), as developed by Lakoff and Johnson, to critically analyse the metaphorical conceptualisations underlying Karl Marx’s use of the phraseologism "labour-process" in Capital. By identifying and examining the recurring metaphors embedded in Marx’s text, the study reveals how the labour-process is constructed not merely as a neutral mode of production, but as a malleable concept shaped by figurative thought. The analysis identifies multiple source domains through which Marx conceptualises the labour-process as: a journey, a puzzle, a site of production, a site of confrontation, an act of ingestion, a mechanism of dehumanisation, a mode of exploitation and a torture chamber. These metaphors are not stylistic embellishments. Rather, they constitute strategic conceptual tools through which Marx foregrounds the experiential reality constructed by capitalism. It follows that Marx's figurative language underpins his critique, framing labour under capitalism as a process of alienation, coercion and suffering. This metaphor-based reading contributes to broader discussions on the role of metaphor in political economy and critical theory.

This article was originally published in International Journal of Research in Education Humanities and Commerce and is available at: https://ijrehc.com/uploads2025/ijrehc06_123.pdf