The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction Lesson Plan

Do you think Walter Benjamin views the advent of the age of mechanical reproduction as something positive or negative for art? Why?

This is a fairly open question, meant to get students feeling more orientated with and comfortable speaking about Benjamin's essay. For a lot of students, Benjamin will probably come across as seeing a lot of mixed blessings. Some students may also see an edge of nostalgia or regret in what Benjamin has to say about the erstwhile "cult" function of art. But all will no doubt recognize that Benjamin sees challenges and dangers inherent in the age of mechanical reproduction.

At the beginning of the essay, Walter Benjamin mentions the theses...