The western-world sentimental novels originated in which literary movement?

The western-world sentimental novels originated in which literary movement?

• A. Romanticism
• B. Realism
• C. Modernism
• D. Naturalism

Answer: (A)

Sentimental novels arise from Romanticism, a movement that foregrounded intense emotion, imagination, and sympathy. Romantic writers prioritized the inner life of individuals and used heightened feeling to connect readers to moral and emotional concerns. The sentimental tradition especially leans on tender, compassionate plots designed to move readers and prompt moral reflection, a hallmark of early Romantic-era popular fiction. In contrast, Realism focuses on accurate, detailed depictions of everyday life; Modernism emphasizes experimental form and fragmentation; Naturalism highlights harsh, deterministic portrayals. These later movements diverge in aim and tone, leaving Romanticism as the source of the sentimental novel’s emotional, morally resonant approach.

Sentimental novels arise from Romanticism, a movement that foregrounded intense emotion, imagination, and sympathy. Romantic writers prioritized the inner life of individuals and used heightened feeling to connect readers to moral and emotional concerns. The sentimental tradition especially leans on tender, compassionate plots designed to move readers and prompt moral reflection, a hallmark of early Romantic-era popular fiction. In contrast, Realism focuses on accurate, detailed depictions of everyday life; Modernism emphasizes experimental form and fragmentation; Naturalism highlights harsh, deterministic portrayals. These later movements diverge in aim and tone, leaving Romanticism as the source of the sentimental novel’s emotional, morally resonant approach.