The Romantic Age vs. The Victorian Period

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The Romantic Age and Victorian Period had many similarities, but they had just as many or more differences. They first differed in rule; the Romantic Age didn't have a king or queen, but they did during the Victorian Period. They were similar and different in writing styles, and beliefs. The Industrial Revolution also had a huge effect on both time periods.

The Romantic Period was from 1784 until 1832, it brought a more brave, individual, and imaginative approach to both literature and life. During this time the individual became more important than society. Individualism became the center of the Romantic vision (Pfordresher, 423). The Romantic Age in England was a movement that affected all the countries of Western Europe. Romanticism represents an attempt to rediscover the mystery and wonder of the world (Pfordresher, 424). The French Revolution, 1793-1815, gave life and breath to the dreams of many Romantic writers; they wanted liberty and equality for all individuals (Pfordresher, 423).

The Industrial Revolution was changing England from a rural society to a nation of factories (Fuller, 280). England changed from an agricultural society to an industrial one as well as home manufacturing to factory production. When Napoleon came into power, people became violent and corrupt, as their former rulers had once been, this was known as the Reign of Terror.

"England emerged from the eighteenth century a parliamentary state in which the monarchy was largely a figurehead," according to Pfordresher. (Pfordresher, 423). The Victorian Period was from 1832 until 1901. It marked the climax of England's rise to economic and military dominance (Pfordresher, 543). The Romantic spirit didn't disappear, but it wasn't the leading influenc...

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...produced revolutionary unrest (Fuller, 284). Industry and trade expanded rapidly, and railroads and canals crisscrossed the country (Merritt, 320).

The Romantic Age and the Victorian Period had many similarities in the effect of industry on society and poetry. They had a lot more differences in the background and the writing styles and beliefs of the poets of both times. No matter the time and place the Romantic Age and the Victorian Period had many similarities and differences, as any other time period would with another corresponding time period.

Works Cited

Fuller, Edmond. "English Literature." The New Book of Knowledge. volume 5. Danbury, Connecticut: 1995.

Merritt, James Douglas. "English Literature." World Book Encyclopedia. volume 6. Chicago: 1996.

Pfordresher, John. England in Literature. Glenview, Illinois: Scott, Foresman and Company; 1991.

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