Women on modernity's streets : one step between flânerie and social destruction

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to challenge the claim that women were physically and emotionally emancipated with the rise of modernity. Some male authors and critics claim that womens condition improved drastically when modern cities erupted which made their presence on the streets familiar and thus facilitated their flânerie practice. The thesis examines literary works written by some male authors and critics who overtly oppose women flâneurs presence on the streets and other male critics and authors who claim to support women flâneurs such as Andre Breton, Keith Tester, Walter Benjamin, Simon Sadler…. Analysis of these works shows that women are still regarded as inferior sexual objects to be consumed and enjoyed. The works tackled contradict the claim that women who lived in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries were free; on the contrary, women were intimidated and frowned upon when they attempted to practice flânerie. Being flâneurs endangered their reputation, social status and future.