12.1 The Decline of Neoclassicism and the Rise of Sentimentalism

The 18th century saw a shift from Neoclassicism to Sentimentalism in English literature. This change reflected broader cultural trends, with writers moving away from reason and universal truths towards emotion and individual experience.

Sentimentalism emphasized feelings, intuition, and the inner lives of characters. It celebrated nature, rural life, and moral sensitivity. This movement paved the way for the novel's rise and influenced future literary developments, including Romanticism.

Neoclassicism's Decline

Challenges to Neoclassical Principles

Top images from around the web for Challenges to Neoclassical Principles

• 

  Neoclassicism and Romanticism | Boundless Art History View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Jean-Jacques Rousseau - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Neoclassicism and Romanticism | Boundless Art History View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Jean-Jacques Rousseau - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 2

Top images from around the web for Challenges to Neoclassical Principles

• 

  Neoclassicism and Romanticism | Boundless Art History View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Jean-Jacques Rousseau - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Neoclassicism and Romanticism | Boundless Art History View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Jean-Jacques Rousseau - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 2

• The rise of individualism and subjectivity challenged the Neoclassical emphasis on reason, order, and universal truths
• Individualism prioritized personal experience and emotion over abstract principles (Rousseau's "Confessions")
• Subjectivity emphasized the importance of individual perception and interpretation (Hume's "A Treatise of Human Nature")
• The growing interest in the natural world, human emotions, and the inner lives of characters led to a shift away from the formal and artificial style of Neoclassicism
• Writers explored the beauty and complexity of nature (Thomson's "The Seasons")
• Authors delved into the psychological depths of their characters (Richardson's "Pamela")

Changing Literary Landscape

• The increasing influence of the middle class and their preference for more accessible, emotionally engaging literature contributed to the decline of Neoclassicism
• The middle class sought works that reflected their values and experiences (Defoe's "Robinson Crusoe")
• The emergence of new literary forms, such as the novel and the periodical essay, provided alternatives to the Neoclassical genres of poetry and drama
• The novel allowed for a more expansive exploration of character and society (Fielding's "Tom Jones")
• Periodical essays addressed a wide range of topics and appealed to a broader audience (Addison and Steele's "The Spectator")
• The philosophical ideas of empiricism and sensibility, which emphasized the importance of personal experience and emotion, undermined the Neoclassical reliance on abstract reason and universal principles
• Empiricism stressed the role of sensory experience in acquiring knowledge (Locke's "An Essay Concerning Human Understanding")
• Sensibility celebrated the value of emotional responsiveness and empathy (Smith's "The Theory of Moral Sentiments")

Sentimentalism's Characteristics

Emphasis on Emotion and Intuition

• Sentimentalism emphasized the importance of feeling, emotion, and intuition over reason and intellect
• Writers sought to evoke strong emotional responses in their readers (Sterne's "A Sentimental Journey")
• Intuition and instinct were seen as valuable guides to understanding the world and oneself (Rousseau's "Emile")
• The movement promoted the idea of the "man of feeling," a sensitive, empathetic individual who was attuned to the emotions of others
• Characters embodied virtues such as benevolence, compassion, and moral sensitivity (Mackenzie's "The Man of Feeling")

Themes and Subjects

• Works of Sentimentalism often explored themes of love, friendship, family, and the inner lives of characters
• Authors examined the complexities of human relationships and the bonds of affection (Richardson's "Clarissa")
• The movement celebrated the natural world and the beauty of rural life, often contrasting it with the corruption and artificiality of urban society
• Nature was seen as a source of inspiration and moral guidance (Goldsmith's "The Deserted Village")
• Rural life was idealized as a haven of simplicity and virtue (Gray's "Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard")
• Sentimentalist literature frequently featured characters who embodied virtue, benevolence, and moral sensitivity
• Protagonists often served as models of ethical behavior and emotional authenticity (Burney's "Evelina")

Style and Technique

• Sentimentalist writers employed a more accessible, emotionally engaging style, using simple language and vivid imagery to evoke strong feelings in readers
• Authors used vivid descriptions and sensory details to immerse readers in the emotional experiences of characters (Radcliffe's "The Mysteries of Udolpho")
• Simple, direct language made works more accessible to a wider audience (Goldsmith's "The Vicar of Wakefield")

Literary Tastes' Shift

Changing Reader Preferences

• The mid-18th century saw a gradual move away from the formal, elevated style of Neoclassicism towards a more natural, emotionally expressive mode of writing
• Readers increasingly sought literature that spoke to their personal experiences and emotions, rather than works that adhered to strict classical rules and conventions
• The growing popularity of the novel, with its focus on character development and psychological realism, reflected the changing tastes of the reading public
• Novels allowed readers to identify with characters and explore their inner lives (Richardson's "Pamela")
• The emergence of the periodical essay, exemplified by the works of Joseph Addison and Richard Steele, demonstrated a new interest in exploring the everyday lives and concerns of ordinary people
• Periodical essays addressed topics relevant to the growing middle class (Addison and Steele's "The Tatler")

Cultural and Philosophical Influences

• The shift in literary sensibilities was influenced by broader cultural and philosophical changes, such as the rise of empiricism, the growth of the middle class, and the increasing emphasis on individual experience and sentiment
• Empiricism encouraged a focus on sensory experience and personal observation (Locke's "An Essay Concerning Human Understanding")
• The expanding middle class sought literature that reflected their values and aspirations (Defoe's "Moll Flanders")
• The emphasis on individual experience and sentiment prioritized personal feelings and perspectives (Sterne's "Tristram Shandy")

Sentimentalism's Impact on English Literature

Influence on the Novel

• The rise of Sentimentalism paved the way for the development of the novel as a major literary form, with its emphasis on character, emotion, and psychological depth
• Sentimentalist themes and techniques influenced the works of major 18th-century novelists, such as Samuel Richardson, Henry Fielding, and Laurence Sterne
• Richardson's novels explored the inner lives and moral dilemmas of his characters (Richardson's "Clarissa")
• Fielding's works blended Sentimentalist elements with social satire and humor (Fielding's "Joseph Andrews")
• Sterne's experimental novels pushed the boundaries of the genre and emphasized subjective experience (Sterne's "Tristram Shandy")

Anticipation of Romanticism

• The movement's celebration of feeling and intuition anticipated the Romantic emphasis on imagination, individuality, and the sublime
• Sentimentalism's focus on the inner lives of characters and the exploration of personal experience contributed to the development of psychological realism in literature
• The Romantic poets built upon Sentimentalist themes of nature, emotion, and introspection (Wordsworth's "Lyrical Ballads")

Democratization of Literature

• The popularity of Sentimentalist literature helped to democratize reading and writing, making literature more accessible to a wider range of people
• The emphasis on accessible language and relatable themes encouraged a broader readership (Goldsmith's "The Vicar of Wakefield")
• The growth of the publishing industry and the expansion of literacy rates supported the dissemination of Sentimentalist works (Richardson's "Pamela")

Social and Moral Impact

• The Sentimentalist emphasis on moral sensitivity and benevolence influenced the development of social reform movements and philanthropic efforts in the late 18th and early 19th centuries
• Sentimentalist literature promoted empathy and compassion for the less fortunate (Mackenzie's "The Man of Feeling")
• The movement's celebration of virtue and moral sentiment inspired efforts to improve social conditions and alleviate suffering (Hanway's "A Sentimental History of Chimney Sweepers")