Walter Benjamin

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Understanding Benjamin is difficult, but worthwhile. I've read most of Illuminations, and went through parts of Arcades. Through Benjamin, I've come to love the poetry of Baudelaire.

>>By kiradominique   (Saturday, 18 Oct 2003 10:21)



i am supposed to prepare a paper on one of his articles, what do you think of his contribution to marxist criticism, thanks anyway

>>By papatya   (Saturday, 18 Oct 2003 10:49)



If you can find this book (in a college or university library) Walter Benjamin, Critical Constellations, by
Gilloch, he discusses Benjamin & Marxism. A professor told me Benjamin had some "Marxist tendencies". I think Benjamin criticized the culture of capitalism, of course, but certainly he didn't get into class conflict or the economics of the means of production. Also, he became dismayed of Marxism somewhat from a visit to Russia, with its Stalinism; "communism" seeming to be equated with Marxism (again, because of what the system did to arts & culture, e.g. through propoganda). He came to have a vision of art & culture as having revolutionary potential. There's lots of websites on Benjamin.

>>By kiradominique   (Saturday, 18 Oct 2003 21:28)



thanks it will help a lot. i have found the book you have mentioned in the library i will read it as soon as possible and then maybe i can write my comments on it

>>By papatya   (Thursday, 23 Oct 2003 09:52)



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