English Sem: 4 The History of English Literature-2 > The Age of Transition

New classical Age divided into three periods:

1. The Restoration period

2. The Augustan period and

3. The Age of Transition (Age of Johnson or Age of Sensibility)

The Age of transition (1740 to 1800)

Introduction: 

The Transition Period, happening roughly between 1760 and 1798, was a really important time in history, especially for literature and culture. It was like a bridge between two different ages: the Neoclassical Age and the Romantic Age. Lots of things were changing—society, politics, and people's ideas—and literature was changing right along with it.

During this time, writers were shaking things up. They were tired of the old, formal way of writing and started to explore new styles that were more emotional and imaginative. It was like they were breaking free from the rules and traditions of classical writing and moving towards something more romantic and expressive. This change in writing style was a big part of what led to the Romantic movement that came later in the early 19th century.

In the late 1700s, there were two main phases of creativity. Writers were experimenting with different ways of telling stories and expressing themselves. They were rebelling against the old ways and diving into this new world of romantic literature, where emotions and imagination were key.

This period also saw the birth of Romantic poetry, which was all about expressing deep feelings and connecting with nature and the human experience in a more personal way.

Meaning of Transition:

In the context of the Age of Transition in English literature, "transition" means a big change or shift from one way of writing and thinking to another. It's like moving from one phase to another, where things are not quite the same as they used to be. During this time, writers were leaving behind the old-fashioned styles of writing and exploring new ideas and ways of expressing themselves. So, "transition" basically means a time of exciting and sometimes challenging transformation in literature.

The Age of Transition in English literature was a time when things were changing a lot. It's often called the "Age of Johnson" because Dr. Samuel Johnson, a famous writer and thinker, had a big impact during this time. Some people also call it the "Age of Sensibility" because there was a focus on emotions and feelings in literature. So, it's a period where both change and emotions were important in writing.

The shift from classical to romantic times was a time of lots of changes. This was also when King George III was ruling England from 1760 to 1820. People really liked him because he was very patriotic.

During this time, there were some big uprisings and conflicts:

• The American Revolution happened in 1776 when the American colonies fought for their independence from England.

• There was a big conflict between France and England in 1763.

• The French Revolution started in 1789, where the French people rebelled against their rulers.

There were also other important changes going on. For example, in 1780, there was a transportation revolution. This meant new ways of getting around, like better roads and canals. With these changes came new factories where people worked long hours, sometimes up to sixteen hours a day.

Literary Characteristics:

During the Transition Period, there were some big changes in literature. 

Moving Away from Neoclassicism to Romanticism: Before, people liked writing in a very structured way, focusing on things like order and logic. But during this time, writers started to care more about feelings, nature, and breaking the rules of classical writing.

Getting Sentimental: Sentimental stories became really popular. These were all about emotions, understanding others' feelings, and sharing personal experiences. It was a shift from the more logical Neoclassical style.

Exploring Romantic Themes: Writers started talking about things that would later become really important in Romantic literature, like the awe-inspiring beauty of nature, the power of emotions, and how individuals fit into society.

Getting Spooky with Gothic Literature: People got really into spooky stories during this time. Books like "The Castle of Otranto" by Horace Walpole and stories by Ann Radcliffe brought in mysteries, ghosts, and intense emotions.

Interested in Folktales and Medieval Stuff: There was a newfound interest in old stories, folk songs, and medieval traditions. People started looking back at the past and the cultural history of different countries, which later inspired Romantic writers to bring back medieval themes in their works.

Social Characteristics:

Industrial Revolution Begins: People were starting to move away from farming and into cities where factories were popping up. This changed how society worked, with more people becoming factory workers and cities growing bigger and busier.

Advances in Science and Philosophy: People were really into ideas like using reason and science to understand the world. Thinkers like Voltaire and Rousseau were talking about these things and questioning old ways of thinking.

Political Turmoil: There were some big shake-ups in politics too. The American Revolution challenged the idea of having kings and queens ruling over everyone, and it got people talking about democracy and individual rights. Then, the French Revolution happened, which was even more dramatic and made kings and queens nervous all over Europe.

Middle Class on the Rise: With all these changes, a new group of people started to grow in society—the middle class. These were folks who weren't super rich but weren't poor either. Their tastes and interests were different from the rich and the poor, and this had an impact on what kinds of art and culture were popular.

Writers from that time and what they were known for:

Thomas Gray (1716–1771): He was an English poet known for writing "Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard," which talks about life and death and the beauty of the countryside. People see his work as a forerunner to Romantic poetry.

Oliver Goldsmith (1728–1774): He was from Ireland and wrote the novel "The Vicar of Wakefield" and the poem "The Deserted Village." His writings were sentimental and also critiqued the changes happening in society.

James Macpherson (1736–1796): A poet from Scotland, Macpherson claimed that his poems were translations from old Gaelic stories. He got people interested in Celtic and Norse mythology.

William Blake (1757–1827): He was an English poet, artist, and mystic. His works, like "Songs of Innocence and Experience," were really imaginative and didn't follow the logical thinking of the Enlightenment.

Ann Radcliffe (1764–1823): An English writer, Radcliffe wrote Gothic novels like "The Mysteries of Udolpho." Her stories were full of romance, mystery, and spooky stuff.

Edmund Burke (1729–1797): He was from Ireland and was both a politician and a philosopher. Burke wrote a book called "A Philosophical Enquiry into the Origin of Our Ideas of the Sublime and Beautiful," which influenced how people thought about big, awe-inspiring things in literature.

Samuel Johnson (1709–1784): An English writer, Johnson was known for his essays, poems, and his famous dictionary. He had a big influence on the language and literature of his time.

Mary Wollstonecraft (1759–1797): An English writer and feminist, Wollstonecraft wrote about the rights of women in works like "A Vindication of the Rights of Woman." She argued for women's equality in education and society.

Henry Fielding (1707–1754): An English novelist and playwright, Fielding wrote humorous and satirical works like "Tom Jones." His novels often poked fun at the flaws and foibles of society.

Fanny Burney (1752–1840): An English novelist and playwright, Burney wrote popular novels like "Evelina" and "Cecilia." Her works explored themes of social manners and the lives of women in society.

Jonathan Swift (1667–1745): An Irish writer and satirist, Swift is best known for his novel "Gulliver's Travels," which satirizes human nature and society through the fantastical adventures of its protagonist.

Some Pre-Romantic Poetry Characteristics

Changes in Poetry Forms: Fancy words like "heroic couplet" were becoming less popular, and poets like Gray and Collins were using a different kind of poem called the Pindaric ode, which was more free-flowing and expressive.

More Ballads: People started liking old-fashioned ballads again. These were simple songs or poems that told stories, often about love or adventure.

Poems Got More Descriptive and Story-like: Poets started writing poems that described things in detail or told stories. One example is "The Deserted Village," which talks about a quiet, empty place.

Lyric Poetry Became Popular: Lyric poetry, which is like short, emotional songs or poems, started to become more popular. Poets like Burns and Blake wrote simple but powerful lyrics that touched people's hearts.

In conclusion, the Transition Period was really important because it laid the groundwork for Romanticism. The changes happening in society, along with the ideas of the Enlightenment, paved the way for literature that was more about emotions, individualism, and nature.