The literary movement of Romanticism, which emerged in the late 18th century, emphasized emotion, individualism, and nature. It was a reaction against the rationalism of the Enlightenment and the industrial revolution. Key figures include William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge, who together published "Lyrical Ballads" in 1798, marking a significant moment in Romantic literature. Interestingly, this collection is often credited with launching the movement, bringing the focus on ordinary life and the beauty of nature.
Romanticism also saw the rise of the Gothic genre, characterized by dark, mysterious settings and supernatural elements. Authors like Edgar Allan Poe and Mary Shelley created works that delved into the human psyche and explored themes of horror and the sublime. Shelley's "Frankenstein," published in 1818, is often hailed as one of the first science fiction novels, reflecting Romanticism's fascination with the boundaries of human experience and the natural world.
As Romanticism waned in the mid-19th century, Realism emerged, focusing on representing everyday life and society without idealization. The movement sought to depict life as it truly was, emphasizing the mundane and the ordinary. Gustave Flaubert is a pivotal figure, with his novel "Madame Bovary" (1856) highlighting the disillusionment of bourgeois life. Flaubert's meticulous style and attention to detail were groundbreaking, influencing countless writers.
Another significant realist, Leo Tolstoy, is known for "War and Peace" (1869) and "Anna Karenina" (1877), both of which explore the complexities of Russian society. Tolstoy's philosophy of art as a means of moral education set him apart, advocating for literature that prompts ethical reflection.
Following Realism, movements like Naturalism emerged in the late 19th century, emphasizing a more scientific approach to literature. Authors such as Émile Zola believed that heredity and environment shape human behavior. Zola's "Germinal" (1885) exemplifies how Naturalism sought to depict social conditions and class struggles with stark realism.
In the 20th century, movements like Modernism and Postmodernism began to redefine literary boundaries. Modernist writers such as James Joyce and Virginia Woolf experimented with narrative structure and language, reflecting the complexities of contemporary life. Meanwhile, Postmodernism challenged established norms and often embraced irony, fragmentation, and metafiction, as seen in the works of Thomas Pynchon and Don DeLillo.