Technology: From Romanticism to Industrialism

          When Romanticism was first gaining support, artisits and poets, such as William Blake and John Keats, tended to oppose science and technology. They viewed these topics as separate and, often times, unethical, schools of thought. They had no desire to study science or develop new technology (Landow, N.P.). In fact, they looked down upon it; they were saddened by the city life and the urban sprawl. Popular works focused, instead, on nature, the supernatural, and imagination. Work was often done in the privacy of home and by hand, thus focusing on the individual aspect of it.  However, science and technology were becoming more popular subjects of study. The methods by which glass, clocks, and chemicals were improving, machines were gaining popularity in manufacturing, and resistance to industrialization was weakening (Rempel, N.P.). Even writers and artists began rejecting the negative "romantic" beliefs towards science and technology. They now found beauty, not in nature or seculsion, but in machinery, factories, and crowded cities (Landow, N.P.). The result? The Industrial Revolution. New inventions, including the steam engine, telegraph, and electric power, helped workers do their jobs more effiently and at a lower cost (Rempel, N.P.). Products were being turned out of factories at an alarming rate and domestic work was taken out of the home. Technology had originally been something that had helped society succeed and advance. Now, it was increasingly becoming a hazard to people's well being. Factories were dangerous, filthy, poorly ventilated and lighted. The typical work shift was twelve to fourteen hours and there were no age restrictions on who could work.  As more people began looking for work, they turned to the cities where they could easily find jobs at one of the many factories. Consequently, city populations exploded and living conditions deteritorated, primarily for those who worked in the factories (Montagna, N.P.). These factory workers created a new social class: the working class.

"Technology" Citations

Landow, George P. Literature, Science, and Technology. The Victorian Web, 15 Aug.
      2003. web. 25 May. 2010. http://www.victorianweb.org/technology/litastech.html.
Montagna, Joseph A. The Industrial Revolution. Yale-New Haven Teachers Institute, N.P.
        web. 25 May. 2010.< http://www.yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/units/
        1981/2/81.02.06.x.html>.
Rempel, Prof. Gerhard. The Industrial Revolution. Western New England College, N.P. Web.
       25 May. 2010. <http://mars.wnec.edu/~grempel/courses/
       wc2/lectures/industrialrev.html>.

Romanticism: Then and Now

             Throughout the course of time, the way society has reacted to problems that arise in the face of the future has largely been determined by the beliefs of its members. Thus it can be said that it is the ideals of the people which determine the actions of the whole. One excellent example of this dependence on the individual is in the Romantic period. Although the actual dates vary by country, it is agreed by many historians that the beginning of era coincided with the dawning of many Revolution (Romanticism, N.P.). Interestingly enough, Romanticism’s entire philosophy of stressing the individual over society actually stems from the ideals that were brought about by the revolutions. As a result, the essence of rebelling against the strict institution of logical thinking became the foundation for one of the most well-known periods of history, influencing many aspects of society in addition to the literature that was produced during the era.  This mentality was present in the works of the Romantic era, reflecting the attitude of society. The people wanted to experience the far-away lands and distant shores written and described by the words of Romantic writers such as Lord Bryon (Brians, N.P.). Although these lands didn’t necessarily have to be far away, the idea of escaping reality was ever present throughout the period, making the ideals of Romantic period significantly different from those of the Enlightenment. Although society changed in favor of Romanticism it is interesting that it was not society at the center of the movement or even the ideas spread by the movement. Rather, the individual was stressed, along with his or her desire to be free from the restrictions placed on them by society itself (Romanticism, N.P.). This anti-institutional feeling has continued to prevail and although it may be seen by some as anarchy and against what precedent has dictated, valuing the nature-embracing lone outcast has continued to strike a feeling of wonder and mystery long after it was said to have died down. However, the values of the Romantics are coming back. The yearning to discover what else nature has to offer and the peace found within its wondrous yet unpredictable bounties has continued to bring society and raises the question, are we in the face of a Romanticism renaissance?

"Romanticism: Then and Now" Citations

Brians, Paul. "Romanticism." 1 Oct. 2004. Humanities: Reason, Romanticism  
                 & Revolution Course Marterial. 25 May. 2010. <http://www.wsu.edu/
                 ~brians/hum_303/romanticism.html>.
"Romanticism." 12 Feb. 2009. A Guide to the Study of Literature. 23 May/ 2010.
                <http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/english/melani/cs6/rom.html>.