Sentimental novel

Definition

A sentimental novel is a literary genre that emphasizes emotion, moral sentiment, and the exploration of human feelings, particularly those of love and compassion. This genre seeks to evoke strong emotional responses from readers, often through character struggles and moral dilemmas, highlighting the importance of feelings in shaping human experience.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. William Hill Brown's 'The Power of Sympathy' is often cited as one of the first American sentimental novels, emphasizing the importance of feelings in human relationships.
2. The sentimental novel became popular during the late 18th century and early 19th century, mirroring societal shifts towards valuing emotional expression and individual experience.
3. 'The Power of Sympathy' explores themes of love, virtue, and tragedy, illustrating how emotions can lead to both personal fulfillment and devastating consequences.
4. Characters in sentimental novels typically undergo emotional transformations that resonate with readers, making their experiences relatable and impactful.
5. This genre played a crucial role in shaping American literature by promoting empathy and social awareness through its focus on emotional depth and moral considerations.

Review Questions

• How do the characteristics of sentimental novels manifest in 'The Power of Sympathy', particularly in terms of character development?
  • 'The Power of Sympathy' exemplifies the characteristics of sentimental novels through its deep focus on characters' emotional journeys. The protagonist's struggles with love, moral dilemmas, and personal choices reflect the genre's emphasis on human feelings. As characters face hardships and moral challenges, their emotional transformations allow readers to connect with their experiences, which is a hallmark of sentimental literature.
• Discuss how 'The Power of Sympathy' reflects the societal values of its time through its use of sentimental elements.
  • 'The Power of Sympathy' reflects the societal values of late 18th century America by prioritizing emotional expression and moral sentiment. During this period, there was a growing appreciation for individual feelings and experiences, which the novel captures through its portrayal of love and tragedy. The characters’ emotional struggles highlight social issues such as gender roles and personal virtue, demonstrating how sentimentality can serve as a critique of contemporary norms.
• Evaluate the impact of 'The Power of Sympathy' on subsequent American literature and its legacy within the sentimental novel genre.
  • 'The Power of Sympathy' significantly influenced subsequent American literature by establishing a framework for exploring emotional depth and moral complexity in storytelling. Its legacy within the sentimental novel genre can be seen in later works that continued to prioritize character emotions and ethical dilemmas. By paving the way for authors to engage with themes of love, loss, and virtue, Brown's novel contributed to a lasting tradition in American literature that values empathy and moral reflection.

Related terms

Romanticism: An artistic and intellectual movement that prioritized emotion, individualism, and the appreciation of nature, often reflected in literature and art.

Epistolary Novel: A novel written as a series of documents, such as letters or diary entries, allowing for an intimate exploration of characters' thoughts and emotions.

Moral Tale: A narrative that conveys a moral lesson or ethical message, often focusing on the consequences of characters' actions and decisions.