ENG323H1 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Misanthropy, Sentimentality, Enquiry Concerning Political Justice
Document Summary
18th c sentimental novel/ novel of sensibility: sentimental novel was related to notion that feeling and sensibility could produce virtuous action, readiness to feel compassion for suffering. Highly empathetic: community and society could be influential in fostering ideas of morality. Sentimentality would produce better society and then society could encourage these kinds of behaviors. Themes of sentimentality: education, love and friendship and benevolence, passions and senses, inner worlds, passion and self-control. Romanticism: individuality, feeling, nature: overflow of powerful feelings more than usual organic sensibility. Wordsworth: feeling gives importance to the action of the situation- not the other way around. Appeals to the heart rather than rationality. Fleetwood"s upbringing: education in/ by nature: focuses on the effects of solitude in nature on character. Lover of sublime and romantic in nature: father has melancholy mind & wild scenery. Fleetwood admits he was a spoiled child.
