Etudes Sur L'Economie Politique V2 (1838)

A Woman of Many Designs is a collection of poems written over a period of a decade. The themes are diverse, but many focus on existential themes related to the life choices of individuals. The book’s central poem, which is the title of the work, explores transcendental ideas and metaphors related to urban life. The woman, Suzanne, an allegorical figure, travels through the city, usually at night, exploring and defining the city as living community. The poems include character sketches, taxi driving and metaphorical journeys through the city and beyond. Ultimately, these poems are a study of the relationship between urban existence and the metaphysics of modern times.