Neoclassicism approx. 1700-1788

Great Chain of Being main philosophy

man at center of universe

EMPHASIS ON: Order/symmetry

Calm/control/restraint

Civilization/civilized man

Humans had limitations

Literature: Essays

Illustrated human values & laws that existed

Philosophy: Man is inherently prone

to lose control (give into appetites & passions) so he must exercise self-control (reason) and keep imagination under control.

REASON OVER IMAGINATION

Universe is dynamic & changing

EMPHASIS ON: Emotion/imagination

Sympathy/passions/ intuition

Nature/natural man

Endless potential for social progress & spiritual growth

Literature: Expressive of intuitive

experience & bringing inner world to imaginative expression

Philosophy: Natural man is good. The

further away from civilization man gets, the more innocent of evil he is. Imagination is the key. Nature holds the truths & inspiration of life (idea of the noble savage)

IMAGINATION OVER REASON

Romanticism approx. 1788-1832

Austen & Romanticism Not a “staunch” romantic

Still incorporated and believed in many neoclassic views Rational thought most important

must think through events & decisions and reflect upon outcomes

emotions were secondary and should only be used as the last argument to persuade decision making

A level of public decorum should be expected

Romantic views Beauty and truth in nature

Value of emotions – it should be considered normal and acceptable to express emotion (to a degree)

Did believe in simplicity of life and that if everyone “took care of himself” then all would benefit

Neoclassicism &

Romanticism in

Sense & Sensibility

Neoclassicism – find evidence

of several neoclassic beliefs &

theories in Sense & Sensibility.

What element of Neoclassicism

does each example exemplify?

Romanticism – find evidence of

several romantic beliefs &

theories in Sense & Sensibility.

What element of Romanticism

does each example exemplify?