Walter Benjamin analyzes the flâneur in 19th-century Paris as a figure who embodies the contradictions of the urban landscape. The flâneur, wandering through the city, observes and is observed, embodying both observer and observed. This character reveals the social and psychological dynamics of the city through several aspects:
Observer and Observed: The flâneur is both an observer and an observed, reflecting the duality of the city where individuals are both visible and invisible. This duality highlights the city's complex social fabric.
Boredom and Curiosity: The flâneur's leisurely strolls reflect the boredom and curiosity of the urban environment. This boredom is a response to the overwhelming stimuli of the city, while curiosity drives the flâneur to engage with the urban spectacle.
Commodity and Narcotic: The flâneur's immersion in the urban spectacle is akin to consuming a commodity, which provides a temporary escape from the harsh realities of the city. This reveals the city's role as a source of both alienation and relief.
Heroism and Tragedy: Benjamin suggests that the flâneur's role as an observer can be heroic, but it also leads to a tragic existence. The flâneur's constant observation can lead to a loss of self and a sense of emptiness.
Crowd and Individual: The flâneur's relationship with the crowd is complex. While the crowd provides a sense of belonging, it also leads to a loss of individuality. This reflects the tension between individuality and the collective in the urban environment.
Overall, Benjamin's analysis of the flâneur reveals the city as a place of contradictions, where individuals are both observers and observed, and where the urban landscape shapes both social interactions and individual psychology.