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Ville Du Flaneur: La Transformation De Paris Selon Ses Propres Temoignages, Christopher J. Hanson

Senior Independent Study Theses

In my Independent Study, I analyze the flâneur, a nineteenth century literary figure known for wandering the streets of Paris. Born as a result of modernity, the flâneur sought refuge in the majestic arcades of Paris, absorbing every detail of this new modern life. By using Walter Benjamin's unfinished work, "Arcades Project," I attempt to define the flâneur in more precise terms. From here, I build a case to disprove Benjamin's assumption that the flâneur disappeared along with the advent of materialism. By discussing poetry, paintings, literature, and film from three distinct periods, I construct a more concrete image of …