Industrialization

Definition

Industrialization is the process of transforming economies from primarily agrarian-based systems to ones dominated by manufacturing and industry. This shift typically involves technological advancements, the establishment of factories, and the movement of labor from rural to urban areas, significantly impacting social structures and cultural norms.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The rise of industrialization in the 18th and 19th centuries marked a significant shift in society, leading to the growth of the bourgeoisie as a powerful economic class.
2. Industrialization influenced literature, prompting new themes and character types that reflected the lives and struggles of the working class, as seen in bourgeois tragedy.
3. Factory systems replaced traditional craft production, resulting in mass production and increased availability of goods but also harsh working conditions for laborers.
4. The effects of industrialization extended beyond economics; it transformed social relations, family structures, and even gender roles within society.
5. In 'The London Merchant,' industrialization serves as a backdrop that highlights the moral struggles of characters, reflecting the tension between emerging capitalist values and traditional morals.

Review Questions

• How did industrialization influence the themes and character development in bourgeois tragedy, particularly in works like 'The London Merchant'?
  • Industrialization profoundly influenced bourgeois tragedy by introducing themes related to social mobility, morality, and the struggles of the working class. In 'The London Merchant,' characters grapple with the pressures of an emerging capitalist society, which shapes their identities and choices. The narrative reflects the moral dilemmas faced by individuals as they navigate the challenges posed by industrialization, emphasizing the conflict between personal ambitions and societal expectations.
• Analyze how industrialization affected social structures during the period depicted in 'The London Merchant' and how these changes are reflected in the play.
  • Industrialization dramatically altered social structures by giving rise to a new middle class while simultaneously expanding the working class. This shift is evident in 'The London Merchant,' where characters represent different strata of society influenced by industrial values. The play captures the complexities of these changes, portraying how individuals adapt to new economic realities while facing moral questions about success, failure, and responsibility.
• Evaluate the broader implications of industrialization on literature during this period, particularly regarding its reflection of societal change as seen in bourgeois tragedy.
  • The broader implications of industrialization on literature are significant, especially regarding how writers began to reflect societal changes through their works. In bourgeois tragedy, including 'The London Merchant,' authors used their narratives to explore the tensions between emerging capitalist ideals and traditional moral values. This reflection not only highlighted individual struggles but also critiqued the dehumanizing aspects of factory life and economic ambition. As literature began to mirror these shifts, it provided insight into the evolving human experience amid rapid social transformation.

Related terms

Urbanization: The increasing population and movement of people into urban areas as a result of industrialization, leading to the growth of cities.

Capitalism: An economic system characterized by private ownership of production and operation for profit, often emerging alongside industrialization.

Proletariat: The working class who, during industrialization, became a key social group dependent on wage labor in factories and industries.