The angel moves facing backwards, Benjamin sees this image as an expression of history and it’s progression. (Benjamin, 1969) p.256.”īenjamin later uses an image from artist Paul Klee in his exploration of the nature of history. (Benjamin, 1969) p.256.” To Benjamin this “triumphal procession” negates much of the validity of historical sources and it’s progress is inherently distasteful, saying these texts are, “not free of barbarism. He suggests that we do not hear from those at society’s lower classes, that the historical narrative has become in unreliable march of powerful, “Whoever has emerged victorious participates to this day in the triumphal procession in which the present rulers step over those who are lying prostrate. Identifying that what survives from the past is carried forward by the victors, those at the top of society. In my research on theory of historical study and understanding I had read a chapter of Walter Benjamin’s book Illuminations called “Theses on the Philosophy of History.” In this chapter Benjamin reflects on the position of the historical materialist and history, how it should be approached and the problems that are thrown up by it.īenjamin calls for a detachment in approaching historical information.
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