An Egyptian Cigarette Analysis

Trentmann explains that the theoretical debate revolving around consumption has been going on for many decades, but in the last two, a change, or a variation in lens, has occurred (373). Philosophical engagement has been a driving force in the recent consideration of consumerism, and how it relates to modernity and, arguably, its disappearance. Despite the possible disappearance of philosophical factors in consumer culture “the centrality of consumption to modern capitalism and contemporary culture”(Trentmann 373) is still very much thriving. He notes that many thinkers, such as Sombart, Durkheim, and Veblen thought that consumption was a strong force behind modern capitalism and its “dynamism and social structure” (Trentmann 373). As both …show more content…
Just like the conclusion above, the woman in the story does not say she is not smoking again, but simply that her current hand-made pack is not what she desires. When the woman smokes the cigarette, she sees a dark vision in her mind. The women in the vision of despair ultimately dies trying to chase her husband who has abandoned her, which could not only represent how far women have come but also how far consumerism and societies industrial needs have changed. A hand made Cigarette Company would not be able to meet the demand of the new fast paced consumer culture that emerged in the 19th century. The vision of despair, I would argue, represents an old way of production being left in the past, and even a warning for other societies to learn to …show more content…
This is reiterated through the vision of despair seen in Chopin’s “An Egyptian Cigarette” and in the numerous amounts of commodities and collectables seen in Cross’ “Theodora”. Theodora has a lot of agency, as does the speaker in “An Egyptian Cigarette”. These women not only represent the emergence of a new woman, but an emergence of a new way of life. As women’s roles are changing, so are the societies. Consumerism, collecting, commercialism, production, and economics are all seeing evolutions, whether large or small, these changes produce large waves. Through reading these works through a lens focused on consumerism and commoditization, it is possible to gain further insight into how far these sectors have come in the last century. Handmade products, although novel now, are not able to meet the demand of growing societies. Just as viewing women as products, although still prevalent, is no longer accepted in the manner that it once was. It is clear that societies have experienced notable growth and growing pains, but without learning to adapt, societies can be left in the