The Spleen and Ideal of Paradise: the True Modern Condition in Mid-Nineteenth Century Paris

The Spleen and Ideal of Paradise: the True Modern Condition in Mid-Nineteenth Century Paris

  • Submitted By: ehar65
  • Date Submitted: 04/28/2009 2:58 PM
  • Category: History Other
  • Words: 986
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The Spleen and Ideal of Paradise: The True Modern Condition in Mid-Nineteenth Century Paris In every modern city there are two opposite sides of character that battle against the other constantly leading the inhabitants of the metropolis. Charles Baudelaire has identified these dialectical qualities as the spleen and the ideal. Paris in the mid-1800’s was changing at a rapid pace due to the reconstruction of her streets and public spaces as well as the new innovations in commerce. Many thinkers witnessed this change; Baudelaire, Zola, and the impressionists among them, and sought to understand and convey this change in their works. Walter Benjamin maintained this assimilation to change as the true modernity of Paris. As the new became stronger and old traditional ways were pushed out of the city Paris’ citizens had to adapt to change whether it was welcome or not. This tension created between melancholic reality and the ideal future of change ushered in a time of true modernity that changed Paris and her residents forever. Before the rebuilding of Paris by Baron Haussmann in the mid-1800’s the streets were a mess of winding dead ends and cut-off quarters. This isolation of neighborhoods became a way of life and secluded people of similar class, thus forcing them to live in the same semi-remote place from birth to death. There were no maps or drawings of Paris simply because classes did not need to venture out into other sectors for any means. “Parisians of a century ago ordinarily lived, worked, and found their pleasure within the confines of a few blocks... knew nothing of the city beyond their own street… never went beyond the inner boulevards and only rarely crossed the river” (Pinkley17). It was commonplace life to never move and stay put in what was known. In the 1850’s modernity was introduced to the city of Paris in the form of Haussmann’s reconstruction. Before re-planning the routes of Paris it is commented that “the confused street pattern [of Paris]...

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