Industrial Revolution

Definition

The Industrial Revolution was a period of significant technological, economic, and social change that began in the late 18th century and continued into the 19th century, characterized by the transition from agrarian economies to industrialized and urbanized societies. This transformation influenced literature by introducing themes of progress, social change, and human experience in rapidly evolving environments.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Industrial Revolution began in Great Britain around the late 1700s and involved significant advancements in manufacturing processes, such as the steam engine and mechanized textile production.
2. This period saw a massive shift in labor from agriculture to factory work, drastically changing societal structures and contributing to the growth of cities.
3. Literature from this era began addressing the effects of industrialization on people’s lives, focusing on themes like alienation, class struggle, and social injustice.
4. The rise of the novel as a popular form can be linked to the industrial age, as authors sought to reflect contemporary life and the complexities of modern society.
5. The Industrial Revolution laid the groundwork for various literary movements that followed, including Romanticism and Realism, both of which grappled with the implications of rapid change on human experience.

Review Questions

• How did the Industrial Revolution influence the development of the novel as a literary form?
  • The Industrial Revolution had a profound impact on the development of the novel by providing new contexts and subjects for storytelling. As society shifted from rural to urban life, novelists began to capture the complexities of industrial existence, including themes of social change, class conflict, and personal alienation. This rise in urbanization allowed for more diverse characters and plots that reflected contemporary issues, making novels an important medium for exploring the human condition during this transformative era.
• In what ways did Romantic poets respond to the challenges posed by the Industrial Revolution?
  • Romantic poets responded to the challenges posed by the Industrial Revolution by emphasizing nature, emotion, and individual experience in their work. They often viewed industrialization as a threat to natural beauty and human connection, leading them to champion themes that celebrated simplicity and a return to nature. The Romantic movement can be seen as a reaction against the dehumanizing aspects of industrial society, advocating for personal expression and emotional depth in opposition to mechanization.
• Evaluate how Realism emerged as a literary response to the societal changes brought about by the Industrial Revolution.
  • Realism emerged as a literary response to societal changes during the Industrial Revolution by focusing on portraying life as it truly was, particularly for ordinary people grappling with new realities. Authors sought to depict everyday struggles and social issues arising from industrialization, such as poverty and class disparities. This movement reflected a shift away from romantic idealization toward an unvarnished exploration of human experiences within an industrialized context, highlighting both the advancements and challenges faced by society.

Related terms

Urbanization: The process of population shift from rural areas to cities, often driven by the opportunities created during the Industrial Revolution.

Romanticism:

An artistic and intellectual movement that emerged in response to industrialization, emphasizing emotion, nature, and individualism over the rationalism associated with the Enlightenment.

Realism: A literary movement that aimed to represent everyday life and society as it was, often emerging as a reaction against the idealization of nature and emotion in Romantic literature.