Spleen, Paralysis and the implications of Modernity: a comparative study on Baudelaire and Joyce.

Abstract

The concept of Baudelaire's Spleen and Joyce's Paralysis is similar under many respects. Their analysis of modernity is indeed not only focused on the exploration of the failure of progress, but aslo and most importantly, on the definition of a specific human condition arising from it. Spleen and Paralysis come to be identified with modernity. My dissertation will focus of their meaning, implications and possible solutions in Baudelaire and Joyce's works.