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4.24 AVERAGE
4.24 AVERAGE
I was completely disappointed and underwhelmed by this book.
Some quotes to save:
Benjamin quotes
“The tradition of the oppressed teaches us that the "state of emergency" in which we live is not the exception but the rule. We must attain to a conception of history that is in keeping with this insight. Then we shall clearly realize that it is our task to bring about a real state of emergency, and this will improve our position in the struggle against Fascism. One reason why Fascism has a chance is that in the name of progress its opponents treat it as a historical norm. The current amazement that the things we are experiencing are "still" possible in the twentieth century is not philosophical. This amazement is not the beginning of knowledge-unless it is the knowledge that the view of history which gives rise to it is untenable.” (“Theses on the Philosophy of History”, VIII)
XVIII B: “The soothsayers who found out from time what it had in store certainly did not experience time as either homogeneous or empty. Anyone who keeps this in mind will perhaps get an idea of how past times were experienced in remembrance-namely, in just the same way. We know that the Jews were prohibited from investigating the future. The Torah and the prayers instruct them in remembrance, however. This stripped the future of its magic, to which all those succumb who turn to the soothsayers for en-lightenment. This does not imply, however, that for the Jews the future turned into homogeneous, empty time. For every second of time was the strait gate through which the Messiah might enter.”
Last paragraph of “The Work of Art in the Age of the Mechanical Reproduction”: “"Fiat ars-pereat mundus," says Fascism, and, as Marinetti ad-mits, expects war to supply the artistic gratification of a sense perception that has been changed by technology. This is evidently the consummation of "Part pour l'art." Mankind, which in Homer's time was an object of contemplation for the Olympian gods, now is one for itself. Its self-alienation has reached such a degree that it can experience its own destruction as an aesthetic pleasure of the first order. This is the situation of politics which Fascisn is rendering aesthetic. Communism responds by politicizing art.”
Benjamin quotes
“The tradition of the oppressed teaches us that the "state of emergency" in which we live is not the exception but the rule. We must attain to a conception of history that is in keeping with this insight. Then we shall clearly realize that it is our task to bring about a real state of emergency, and this will improve our position in the struggle against Fascism. One reason why Fascism has a chance is that in the name of progress its opponents treat it as a historical norm. The current amazement that the things we are experiencing are "still" possible in the twentieth century is not philosophical. This amazement is not the beginning of knowledge-unless it is the knowledge that the view of history which gives rise to it is untenable.” (“Theses on the Philosophy of History”, VIII)
XVIII B: “The soothsayers who found out from time what it had in store certainly did not experience time as either homogeneous or empty. Anyone who keeps this in mind will perhaps get an idea of how past times were experienced in remembrance-namely, in just the same way. We know that the Jews were prohibited from investigating the future. The Torah and the prayers instruct them in remembrance, however. This stripped the future of its magic, to which all those succumb who turn to the soothsayers for en-lightenment. This does not imply, however, that for the Jews the future turned into homogeneous, empty time. For every second of time was the strait gate through which the Messiah might enter.”
Last paragraph of “The Work of Art in the Age of the Mechanical Reproduction”: “"Fiat ars-pereat mundus," says Fascism, and, as Marinetti ad-mits, expects war to supply the artistic gratification of a sense perception that has been changed by technology. This is evidently the consummation of "Part pour l'art." Mankind, which in Homer's time was an object of contemplation for the Olympian gods, now is one for itself. Its self-alienation has reached such a degree that it can experience its own destruction as an aesthetic pleasure of the first order. This is the situation of politics which Fascisn is rendering aesthetic. Communism responds by politicizing art.”
"As flowers turn toward the sun, by dint of a secret heliotropism the past strives to turn toward that sun which is rising in the sky of history."
- Thesis on the Philosophy of History
- Thesis on the Philosophy of History
Benjamin's footnotes alone are more beautiful and brilliant than the vast majority of written texts. A critic, academic and master of prose, Illuminations is a collection on elegant and meticulous essays that discuss as varied topics as Proust, amassing a library, Kafka, the auratic effect of mechanical production of art and theses of materialist history. Arendt's introduction provides an introduction to Benjamin's lifetime oeuvre and tragic suicide. Highly recommended collection!
In terms of quality of writing and thought, this book definitely deserves more than 3*, but my own unfamiliarity with the literary greats of continental Europe mean my enjoyment of it was limited. It's a credit to Benjamin that I would now like to know more about Baudelaire, Proust and Kafka. I came to this book via Hannah Arendt, and it's his 'Theses on the Philosophy of History', the final essay in this collection, that really stands out. The image of the 'angel of history' is a particularly striking one.
'The tradition of the oppressed teaches us that the "state of emergency" in which we live is not the exception but the rule. We must attain to a conception of history that is in keeping with this insight. Then we shall clearly realize that it is our task to bring about a real state of emergency, and this will improve our position in the struggle against Fascism.' (p.200)
'The tradition of the oppressed teaches us that the "state of emergency" in which we live is not the exception but the rule. We must attain to a conception of history that is in keeping with this insight. Then we shall clearly realize that it is our task to bring about a real state of emergency, and this will improve our position in the struggle against Fascism.' (p.200)
challenging
informative
reflective
This series of essays chosen by Hannah Arendt is a great introduction to one of the most interesting critics of the modern era. Benjamin is such a subtle and fascinating thinker. Every one of them will make you think differently, even if you disagree with the premise. Known as the thinker who applied Marxist thought to cultural topics, this series shows a much broader range of interest. Several of these essays are among many favorites of any author and bear repeated reads. Indeed, I re-read the articles on Proust, Art in the Mechanical Age and the Angel of History already. Because this is essentially an anthology, it is hard to find any throughlines between the essays. Yet, Benjamin is such a subtle thinker and interesting writer that every essay is a gem by itself
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
I would marry this man even if it meant going crazy. Oh yes I know very well das bucklicht Männlein. The theses on the philosophy of history were very haunting, especially the idea of the angel of history. He has given me a lot to think on in terms of historical materialism and the role of art and how we interact with it. I’m still a little soft brained and I couldn’t swallow it all but many of the essays warrant a lifetime of rereads, especially once I actually read Kafka and Proust and Brecht and Baudelaire.
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
I read this dense essay collection over the past year, and I can't imagine having read it any other way. Each essay is packed with an entire world. It somehow felt like it was complemented well by simultaneously reading Ben Lerner's [b:The Hatred of Poetry|26114416|The Hatred of Poetry|Ben Lerner|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1450039589l/26114416._SX50_.jpg|46061288].
Walter Benjamin's intelligent, colorful prose is a great role model for today's deluge of cultural critics - so, too, is his left-wing perspective and consistent anti-fascist thought. Without sounding too hyperbolic, a cultural criticism that confronts fascism feels just as important now as it was when Benjamin was writing in the waning days of the Weimar Republic