Sentimentalism

Definition

Sentimentalism is a literary and cultural movement that emphasizes emotion, morality, and the value of personal experience over reason. It often portrays characters who exhibit deep feelings and moral integrity, appealing to the reader's emotions in order to inspire compassion and empathy. This movement significantly influenced both domestic roles and narratives related to the South, reflecting societal values and ideals during its time.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Sentimentalism was closely linked to the Cult of Domesticity, which idealized women as caretakers and moral centers within the home.
2. Sentimental fiction often featured female protagonists whose emotional journeys highlighted themes of love, sacrifice, and virtue.
3. In plantation novels, sentimentalism was used to create a nostalgic and idealized portrayal of the Old South, minimizing the harsh realities of slavery.
4. The emotional appeals in sentimental literature aimed to provoke sympathy from readers, influencing public opinion on social issues such as slavery and women's rights.
5. Authors like Harriet Beecher Stowe utilized sentimentalism in their works to engage readers' emotions and promote social change.

Review Questions

• How does sentimentalism in literature reflect the ideals of the Cult of Domesticity?
  • Sentimentalism in literature aligns closely with the ideals of the Cult of Domesticity by emphasizing women's roles as moral guides within the home. Works from this period often feature female characters who embody virtues such as purity, piety, and self-sacrifice. These portrayals reinforce societal expectations for women while also using emotional narratives to connect with readers and highlight moral lessons.
• In what ways does plantation literature utilize sentimentalism to shape perceptions of the Old South?
  • Plantation literature employs sentimentalism to create an emotionally charged narrative that romanticizes life on Southern plantations. By depicting happy slaves and benevolent masters, these works aim to evoke nostalgia for a pre-Civil War era. This emotional manipulation obscures the brutal realities of slavery and reinforces stereotypes about race and class in the South, shaping readers' perceptions and attitudes toward this historical context.
• Evaluate the impact of sentimentalism on American society's views towards social issues like slavery and women's rights during this period.
  • Sentimentalism played a crucial role in shaping American society's views on social issues like slavery and women's rights by invoking strong emotional responses from readers. Through narratives filled with compassion and moral dilemmas, authors were able to influence public opinion and mobilize support for causes such as abolition and women's suffrage. The emotional depth provided by sentimental literature allowed for a greater understanding of human suffering and injustice, fostering movements that sought to address these societal problems.

Related terms

Cult of Domesticity: A set of beliefs that defined women's roles in the 19th century, emphasizing virtue, piety, and submission within the home.

Plantation Literature: A genre of writing that romanticizes life on plantations, often depicting an idyllic view of slavery and the Southern way of life.

Moral Reform: Movements aimed at improving society through moral education and personal responsibility, often linked to sentimental literature's goals.