How did the Industrial Revolution affect literature in the Eighteenth Century?

The Rise of the Novel and Realism

The 18th century witnessed the ascendance of the novel as the dominant literary form. This coincided with the rise of a literate middle class who sought relatable stories reflecting their own experiences. Unlike previous forms like epic poetry or drama, the novel allowed for detailed depictions of everyday life, social interactions, and psychological complexities. Authors like Daniel Defoe, with Robinson Crusoe (1719), and Samuel Richardson, with Pamela (1740) and Clarissa (1748), pioneered the epistolary novel, offering intimate perspectives on individual lives and moral dilemmas. These works, while pre-dating the full force of industrialization, laid the groundwork for the realist novel that would flourish later.

Changing Representations of Nature and Society

The Industrial Revolution dramatically altered perceptions of nature. Previously idealized in Romantic literature, nature began to be viewed as a resource to be exploited for industrial gain. This shift is reflected in literature through a growing awareness of the environmental consequences of industrialization and the alienation of individuals from the natural world. The idyllic pastoral settings of earlier literature were increasingly juxtaposed with the grim realities of urban life. Furthermore, the social upheaval caused by industrialization – the growth of cities, the emergence of a working class, and the widening gap between rich and poor – became central themes in literary works.

New Literary Genres and Themes

The Industrial Revolution spurred the development of new literary genres and themes. The Gothic novel, exemplified by Horace Walpole’s The Castle of Otranto (1764) and Ann Radcliffe’s works, explored anxieties about societal change, the power of the past, and the darker aspects of human nature. These novels often featured decaying castles and oppressive atmospheres, symbolizing the decline of traditional social structures. Furthermore, the rise of social commentary and satire became prominent. Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels (1726), though earlier, foreshadowed this trend with its biting critique of human folly and political corruption, themes that resonated with the growing discontent surrounding industrial society. The emergence of the working class also led to the beginnings of protest literature, though this was more fully developed in the 19th century.

Impact on Authorship and the Literary Market

The Industrial Revolution also transformed the literary marketplace. The growth of printing technology and the expansion of literacy created a larger reading public. This, in turn, led to the professionalization of authorship. Authors increasingly relied on book sales for their livelihood, rather than patronage from wealthy individuals. This shift encouraged authors to cater to popular tastes and to write for a wider audience. The development of lending libraries further democratized access to literature, making books available to those who could not afford to purchase them. The rise of periodicals and newspapers also provided new outlets for literary works, including essays, poems, and serialized novels.

The Pre-Romantic Movement and Sensibility

The latter half of the 18th century saw the rise of the Pre-Romantic movement, which emphasized emotion, imagination, and individual experience. This movement, partly a reaction against the Enlightenment’s emphasis on reason, was also influenced by the social and economic changes brought about by the Industrial Revolution. The concept of “sensibility” – the capacity to feel deeply – became a central theme in literature, reflecting a growing concern for the plight of the poor and marginalized. Authors like Laurence Sterne, with Tristram Shandy (1759-1767), experimented with narrative form and explored the complexities of human consciousness, paving the way for the Romantic movement of the 19th century.