The Romantic Period, which spanned from the late 18th to the early 19th century, emphasized a focus on emotion, imagination, and nature. Romantic writers sought to evoke powerful emotions in readers, often using vivid imagery and language. They also celebrated individualism, urging readers to follow their hearts and embrace the beauty of the natural world. Key figures of the Romantic movement include William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, and Mary Shelley. Their works often explored themes of love, loss, and the supernatural, challenging the conventional norms of society and art.
In contrast, the Victorian Age, which followed the Romantic Period and lasted from the mid-19th to early 20th century, emphasized realism, social issues, and progress. Victorian writers sought to reflect the rapidly changing society of their time, addressing themes such as industrialization, social class, and gender roles. Writers like Charles Dickens, the Bronte sisters, and Thomas Hardy often critiqued the injustices of society and advocated for social reform. Their works were marked by a sense of moral duty and a concern for the plight of the poor and disadvantaged.
Moving into the modern era, which began in the early 20th century, literature became more fragmented and experimental. Modernist writers like Virginia Woolf, James Joyce, and T.S. Eliot explored themes of alienation, disillusionment, and the breakdown of traditional values. They experimented with narrative techniques, form, and structure, pushing the boundaries of language and challenging readers to think differently about the world around them. The modernist movement was characterized by a sense of disillusionment with the past and a desire to break free from conventional literary conventions.
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