He called him {it was always a man} a flâneur. The crowd is his habitat, as air is for the bird or water for the fish, he wrote. His passion and his profession is to wed the crowd. . . . To be away from home, but to feel oneself everywhere at home.
The term "flâneur" describes a man who navigates through the crowd, suggesting an intriguing relationship between the individual and urban life. The author highlights that the flâneur feels at one with the bustling city, much like a bird in the sky or a fish in the sea, indicating a deep connection with the environment. This figure takes delight in observing and interacting with the crowd, finding a sense of belonging in the anonymity of the urban landscape.
Moreover, the flâneur embodies a paradoxical essence of being away from home while simultaneously feeling at home everywhere. This notion reflects the experience of wanderers who thrive in diverse settings, deriving inspiration from the vibrancy of city life. In "The Only Street in Paris," Elaine Sciolino illustrates how this concept resonates with the spirit of Paris, illuminating the beauty of urban exploration and the intimacy one can find in shared societal spaces.
