Industrial Revolution

Definition

The Industrial Revolution was a period of major industrialization that began in the late 18th century and continued into the 19th century, characterized by a shift from agrarian economies to industrialized and urban ones. This transformation brought about significant social, economic, and technological changes that influenced literature and culture, including a revival of medieval themes and aesthetics in Romantic and Victorian literature as a response to rapid modernization.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Industrial Revolution began in Britain in the late 1700s and spread to other parts of the world, significantly altering production methods and society.
2. Technological innovations such as the steam engine, spinning jenny, and power loom greatly increased production capacity, leading to urbanization as people moved to cities for factory work.
3. Literature from this period often reflects the tension between the nostalgia for a simpler, medieval past and the harsh realities of modern industrial life.
4. Romantic poets and authors reacted to industrialization by celebrating nature and exploring themes of individualism, often incorporating medieval motifs into their works.
5. The social upheaval caused by the Industrial Revolution led to new literary forms and themes, including social criticism and exploration of class struggles in Victorian novels.

Review Questions

• How did the Industrial Revolution influence the themes and aesthetics found in Romantic literature?
  • The Industrial Revolution had a profound impact on Romantic literature as it highlighted the stark contrasts between nature and industrialization. Romantic writers often emphasized emotion and individual experience as a reaction against the mechanization of life. They frequently incorporated medieval elements into their works to evoke nostalgia for a past that seemed more harmonious with nature, using these themes to critique the rapid changes brought by industrial society.
• Analyze how Victorian literature reflected societal concerns during the Industrial Revolution, particularly regarding class struggles.
  • Victorian literature served as a mirror for the complexities of society during the Industrial Revolution, particularly addressing class struggles exacerbated by urbanization. Authors like Charles Dickens portrayed the harsh realities faced by the working class in burgeoning industrial cities, using their narratives to raise awareness of social injustices. This focus on social critique reflected broader societal concerns about morality, poverty, and the impacts of rapid industrial change on human lives.
• Evaluate the role of movements such as the Luddites in shaping public perception of the Industrial Revolution as depicted in literature from this period.
  • The Luddites played a significant role in shaping public perception of the Industrial Revolution through their protests against machinery that threatened traditional jobs. Their actions highlighted deep-seated anxieties about technology's impact on society, which were mirrored in literary works that explored themes of alienation and loss. Authors used Luddite resistance as a narrative device to illustrate broader fears about industrialization's dehumanizing effects, ultimately prompting discussions on labor rights and social reform within Victorian literature.

Related terms

Romanticism:

An artistic and literary movement that emphasized emotion, individualism, and nature, often reacting against the industrialization and rationalism of the Enlightenment.

Victorian Era:

A period during Queen Victoria's reign (1837-1901) marked by industrial progress, strict social norms, and a flourishing of literature, often reflecting concerns about the effects of industrialization.

Luddite: Members of a movement in early 19th century England who protested against industrial machinery, believing it threatened their jobs and traditional ways of life.