In 1940, Walter Benjamin published 'Theses on the Philosophy of History', a critical examination of historical progress that introduced the concept of the 'angel of history'. Benjamin critiques the traditional linear narrative of history, suggesting that it often overlooks the suffering and struggles of the oppressed. His reflections on the 'aura' in the age of mechanical reproduction highlight the transformative effects of technology on culture and art. This work has resonated with scholars and activists alike, prompting discussions on memory, history, and the role of the past in shaping the present.

Shaped Marxist literary theory and the modernist elegy, providing a vocabulary for mourning lost authenticity and critiquing the commodification of art. Poets like Adrienne Rich and Frank O'Hara engaged with Benjamin's ideas, reflecting on the role of art in a capitalist society.