Survey of British Lit-2025-01-21T14_00_12.197Z

The Enlightenment and Industrial Revolution

• Time Periods:

  • The Enlightenment: Circa 1500-1700

  • The Industrial Revolution: Mid-1700s

• Key Themes:

  • Enlightenment's emphasis on reason, science, and progress.

  • Industrialization leads to urbanization, affecting social structures and lifestyles.

Romanticism (Late 1700s to Early 1800s)

• Response to Earlier Movements:

  • Reaction to Enlightenment rationalism and industrialization.

  • Desire for a return to rural simplicity and connection with nature.

  • Focus on individual experience and perception.

• Nature's Role in Romanticism:

  • Seen as restorative and a place for spiritual nurturing away from city life.

  • Celebration of natural settings, often used as a backdrop for personal experiences.

Definition and Evolution of 'Romance'

• Historical Context:

  • Originally referred to unrealistic adventures; linked to medieval tales of knights (e.g., King Arthur).

  • Modern interpretations include love and idealization of experiences (