This article examines how Frédéric Gros's A Philosophy of Walking (2014) manifests in Irvine Welsh's Trainspotting (1993). The concept of the urban flâneur is reimagined in Trainspotting through the disjointed, cyclical, and aimless wanderings of Renton and his peers. Instead of a leisurely exploration of the city, their movements through Edinburgh are driven by addiction and necessity, tracing a map of survival rather than discovery. This article explores how Welsh’s portrayal of Edinburgh challenges Gros' philosophical ideal of walking as a means of breaking free from societal constraints, showing instead how urban landscapes can become spaces of alienation, repetition, and decay. Additionally, this paper analyses the interplay between Gros’ philosophical insights and the material realities of urban walking as depicted in Trainspotting. Gros’ reflections on the flâneur offer a lens through which to view the characters’ engagement with their surroundings, yet Welsh’s Edinburgh presents a stark critique of Gros’ romanticized notions of walking. Through a comparative framework, this article contends that the fractured, oppressive urban environment of Trainspotting redefines walking as a fragmented existential act, mirroring the instability of the characters’ inner lives. By bridging philosophical inquiry with literary analysis, this article highlights the socio-cultural and existential dimensions of walking in urban modernity. It contributes to broader discussions of urban studies, existentialism, and the literary representation of movement and place.

Authors:
Patra Jumsai Na Ayudhya, Charles University, Czech Republic

About the Presenter(s)
Mr. Patra 'Pat' Jumsai Na Ayudhya is currently a PhD student at the Department of Anglophone Literatures and Cultures, Faculty of Arts, Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic.

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