A comparison table showing the difference between the Romantic Age and the Victorian Age in literature:
📚 Difference Between Romantic and Victorian Age in Literature
| Aspect | Romantic Age (1798–1837) | Victorian Age (1837–1901) |
|---|---|---|
| Background | Started with the publication of Lyrical Ballads (1798) by Wordsworth & Coleridge | Coincided with the reign of Queen Victoria in Britain |
| Historical Context | - Reaction against the Industrial Revolution- Influenced by French Revolution | - Peak of Industrialization, British Empire, and scientific progress |
| Philosophy / Outlook | - Emphasis on emotion, nature, imagination, individualism | - Emphasis on morality, social order, realism, and duty |
| Characteristics | - Idealism- Subjectivity- Love for nature- Revolt against rules- Interest in the supernatural and mysterious | - Realism- Morality- Sentimentality- Concern for social issues- Narrative detail and clarity |
| Themes | - Nature as spiritual guide- Rebellion against corruption- Inner emotional conflict | - Class conflict- Social reform- Industrialization- Role of women- Morality vs hypocrisy |
| Literary Forms | Poetry (dominant), lyrical ballads, early novels | Realistic novels, prose, long narratives, social commentary |
| Tone | Personal, emotional, intense | Reflective, didactic, socially conscious |
| Purpose of Literature | To express feelings, explore imagination, and celebrate nature | To educate, reflect society, and critique social evils |
| Prominent Writers & Works | - William Wordsworth – Tintern Abbey- Samuel Taylor Coleridge – The Rime of the Ancient Mariner- Lord Byron, Shelley, Keats | - Charles Dickens – Oliver Twist, Great Expectations- Charlotte Brontë – Jane Eyre- Alfred Lord Tennyson, Elizabeth Barrett Browning |
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