Sentimental novel

Definition

A sentimental novel is a genre of literature that emphasizes emotion, morality, and the portrayal of strong feelings, particularly in relation to love, suffering, and personal connections. This type of novel often aims to evoke sympathy and compassion from readers while highlighting the inner lives of characters, making it a powerful tool for social commentary and critique.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Jorge Isaacs's 'María' is one of the most significant examples of the sentimental novel in Latin American literature, highlighting themes of love and loss.
2. Sentimental novels often depict idealized romantic relationships that challenge societal norms, reflecting the values and aspirations of their time.
3. The genre typically features protagonists who experience deep emotional turmoil, which serves to generate empathy from readers and underscore moral lessons.
4. 'María' is characterized by lush descriptions of nature and strong emotional appeals, which are hallmarks of the sentimental novel style.
5. The sentimental novel genre played a critical role in shaping social attitudes towards love, class, and morality in 19th-century Latin America.

Review Questions

• How does 'María' exemplify the characteristics of a sentimental novel through its portrayal of love and emotional conflict?
  • 'María' exemplifies the sentimental novel through its intense exploration of love between its main characters, emphasizing deep emotional conflict and societal pressures. The narrative centers around María and her struggles with forbidden love, evoking strong feelings of sympathy from readers. The lush descriptions of nature and the characters' emotional turmoil further enhance this genre's focus on sentimentality and moral lessons.
• In what ways does the sentimental novel genre reflect the social values and norms of 19th-century Latin America as seen in Jorge Isaacs's work?
  • The sentimental novel genre reflects 19th-century Latin American social values by emphasizing themes like romantic idealism and moral integrity within relationships. In 'María', Isaacs explores issues like class distinction and societal expectations through the protagonists' love story. The emotional depth portrayed in such narratives encourages readers to reconsider contemporary notions of love, duty, and sacrifice while reinforcing traditional moral values.
• Evaluate the impact of sentimental novels on literary trends in Latin America during the 19th century, focusing on their role in shaping reader perceptions.
  • Sentimental novels significantly influenced literary trends in 19th-century Latin America by promoting emotional engagement and moral reflection among readers. Works like 'María' helped to establish a narrative style that prioritized personal feelings over rational thought, fostering a deeper connection between the reader and characters. This shift not only shaped literary tastes but also allowed authors to critique societal norms, ultimately contributing to evolving perceptions of love, class, and morality during a transformative period in Latin American history.

Related terms

Romanticism: A literary and artistic movement that values emotion and individualism, often focusing on nature and the sublime.

Melodrama: A dramatic work characterized by exaggerated emotions and sensational events, often used to engage the audience's feelings.

Bildungsroman: A coming-of-age story that focuses on the psychological and moral growth of the protagonist from youth to adulthood.