Human Emotion

Definition

Human emotion refers to the complex psychological state that involves subjective experience, physiological response, and behavioral or expressive response. Emotions are essential to human experience, influencing behavior, decision-making, and interpersonal relationships. In literature, the exploration of human emotion marks a significant shift from the rational ideals of previous literary movements to a focus on personal feelings and connections.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The rise of sentimentalism in literature reflected a growing interest in the emotional lives of characters, often prioritizing personal feelings over societal norms.
2. Writers began to depict complex emotional states, allowing for a deeper exploration of human experiences such as love, loss, and moral dilemmas.
3. Human emotion became a tool for writers to connect with readers on a personal level, fostering empathy and understanding through relatable experiences.
4. As neoclassicism declined, the focus shifted towards the individual's inner life, showcasing how emotions shape identity and influence decisions.
5. This period saw the emergence of the 'emotional hero,' a character type that embodies intense feelings and personal struggles, making them more relatable to contemporary audiences.

Review Questions

• How did the portrayal of human emotion change from neoclassicism to sentimentalism?
  • In neoclassicism, literature emphasized reason, order, and adherence to societal norms, often sidelining emotional expression. As sentimentalism emerged, writers began to prioritize human emotion as a core element of storytelling. This shift allowed for a richer exploration of characters' feelings and personal experiences, creating narratives that resonate on an emotional level with readers. The focus on individual emotions helped highlight moral sentiments and fostered empathy among audiences.
• Discuss the role of empathy in literature during the rise of sentimentalism and its connection to human emotion.
  • Empathy became a vital aspect of literature during the rise of sentimentalism, as authors aimed to evoke strong emotional responses from their readers. By portraying characters with deep emotional complexities, writers encouraged readers to connect personally with their experiences. This emotional connection facilitated understanding and compassion towards others' struggles, reinforcing the idea that shared human emotions can bridge gaps between individuals and promote moral awareness within society.
• Evaluate how the exploration of human emotion in literature reflects broader social changes during the decline of neoclassicism.
  • The exploration of human emotion in literature reflects significant social changes that were occurring during the decline of neoclassicism. As society moved away from strict adherence to rationality and classical ideals, there was a growing acknowledgment of individual feelings and experiences. This shift allowed literature to serve as a mirror for the changing attitudes towards personal identity, morality, and emotional expression. It enabled writers to challenge established norms by portraying characters who grappled with their emotions in a way that resonated deeply with readers experiencing similar shifts in their own lives.

Related terms

Sentimentalism: A literary movement emphasizing emotion and individual experience over reason and intellect, often highlighting themes of compassion and moral sentiment.

Empathy: The ability to understand and share the feelings of another, which is central to sentimental literature as it fosters connection between characters and readers.

Affect: The experience of feeling or emotion that is often expressed through physical manifestations or behavioral responses, playing a crucial role in how characters are portrayed in literature.