48 ROMANTICISM

Romantic period

A literary and artistic movement from 1798 to 1832 characterized by a celebration of nature, individualism, and emotional expression.

Industrial Revolution

A period of significant economic change that transformed England from an agricultural society to an industrial powerhouse, influencing social and economic structures.

Literature of Sensibility

A genre that emphasizes emotions, empathy, and feelings as a reaction against the harsh rationalism of 18th-century life.

Gothic novel

A genre known for its exploration of terror, guilt, and horror, often set in medieval settings with supernatural elements.

Byronic hero

A complex character type defined by pride, moodiness, cynicism, and a mix of defiance and vulnerability, often seen in Lord Byron's works.

Total artist

A term used to describe William Blake for his ability to combine poetry, painting, engraving, and other forms of artistic expression.

Spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings

A concept articulated by Wordsworth that describes poetry as an expression of intense feeling derived from experiences in nature.

Ode

A lyrical poem that expresses strong feelings or thoughts on a subject, often characterized by exalted language and themes of praise.

Feminism in Romanticism

A movement claiming equal rights for women, significantly embodied in the works of writers like Mary Wollstonecraft during the Romantic period.

Imagination

A central theme of Romanticism, viewed as a way to connect with deeper spiritual and emotional truths beyond rational thought.