How The Romantic Period Was Characterised By Political And...

The Romantic period was characterised by political and social upheaval. The era marked England s shift from a largely agricultural society to a modern industrial nation. Moreover, the aristocracy s influence diminished, industry-owning middle classes grew. The Romantic epoch also witnesses revolution and war. First the American Civil War, followed by the French Revolution later. They brought concepts of popular freedom, and of the power of the proletariat. In England, these ideas were well received by radical thinkers. However, the later petrifying and grotesque stage of the French Revolution dampened approval for this form of Republicanism. In England, the time of revolution was one based on fear, particularly for the ruling class. Due†¦show more content†¦[7] Conversely, Wuthering Heights may be interpreted as a socio-economic novel. The novel opens in 1801, a date Q.D. Leavis believes Brontà « chose in order â€Å"to fix its happenings at a time when the old rough farming culture, based on a naturally patriarchal family life, was to be challenged, tamed and routed by social and cultural changes†. At the time, the Industrial Revolution was under way in England; it was a dominant force in English economy and society. The traditional social class- dynamic was disrupted by an upwardly-inspired middle class. A new standard for defining a gentleman was challenging the conservative ideals of breeding and family. This reality provides the context for socio-economic readings of the novel. [8] As a result of the Industrial Revolution, people were abandoning the countryside in droves and flocking to the cities in search of work. Emily Brontà « lived in the last days of traditional, conservative ways of rural life. The society was overwhelmingly patriarchal, and this is evident in the Brontà « sisters use of pseudonyms to publish their books. Female authors were not received welcomingly. Emily s chosen name was â€Å"Ellis Bell†. [9] The struggle between social classes illustrates a real life conflict during this time. The reader sympathises with Heathcliff, theShow MoreRelatedCase Study148348 Words   |  594 Pagesthat you can download or listen to online †¢ Video cases that show real managers talking about their own organisations †¢ Revision flashcards to help you prepare for your exams †¢ A multi-lingual online glossary to help explain key concepts †¢ Guidance on how to analyse a case study †¢ Links to relevant sites on the web so you can explore more about the organisations featured in the case studies †¢ Classic cases – over 30 case studies from previous editions of the book †¢ The Strategy Experience simulation