The term of transition.

This blog is assigned by prakruti ma'am. This blog is about transition literature .

What is the term of transition ?

          The term “transitional” in literature refers to a period of literary change, representing a shift from one style or movement to another. In the context of the later half of the 18th century, this term is often used to describe the transition from the rigid neoclassical ideals that dominated the early part of the century to the more emotional, imaginative, and individualistic characteristics of Romanticism. This transitional phase, marked by the Age of Sensibility, is significant in the development of British literature, where writers began to depart from the formal constraints of neoclassical writing and embrace the exploration of the inner world of human emotions, nature, and the sublime. This period laid the groundwork for the romantic ideals that would come to dominate the next century.

How Writers in the 18th Century Represent the Transition :-

     In the 18th century, British literature experienced a major shift. In the early part of the century, neoclassical writers like Alexander Pope and Samuel Johnson were influenced by classical Greek and Roman ideas. Their works emphasized reason, order, and rationality, and they often used formal styles like satire and heroic couplets. The writers of this time focused on making society better by teaching lessons about morals, proper behavior, and the importance of reason.

    However, as the century progressed, new ideas began to surface. Writers started questioning the strict rules of neoclassicism and began to embrace more personal, emotional, and imaginative expressions. The shift towards a more emotional and individualistic approach would later develop into Romanticism. Romanticism, which would dominate in the 19th century, focused on emotions, the beauty of nature, the individual’s imagination, and the sublime.

From Neoclassicism to Romanticism :-

    To understand this transition, we need to first understand the differences between neoclassicism and Romanticism.

   Neoclassicism was about following strict rules, and its focus was on reason and rationality. Writers like Alexander Pope wrote in heroic couplets and often criticized society through satire. Their works were neat, orderly, and intellectual, trying to teach lessons about morality and good behavior.

   Romanticism, on the other hand, was much more about emotion, nature, and individual expression. Romantic writers like William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge turned their focus toward personal feelings, the beauty of the natural world, and the individual’s connection with nature. They believed in the power of imagination and creativity, and their works often celebrated the sublime those moments of awe and wonder when nature or life seemed bigger than anything the human mind could fully understand.

   The writers of the later 18th century began to push against the rigid rules of the neoclassical period. Robert Burns, for example, started to write in the Scots language, bringing out the feelings and lives of common people. He emphasized humanity and emotion, focusing on the struggles and joys of everyday life. Burns, in his famous poems like "Auld Lang Syne" and "To a Mouse," used simple yet powerful language to express deep emotions and connections to the natural world.

    At the same time, William Blake, another writer from this transitional period, began to challenge traditional thinking. Blake's poems like "Songs of Innocence and Experience" captured the contrasts between childhood purity and the harshness of adulthood. His work, like Burns’s, was a step away from the rational, structured writing of earlier times and moved towards more emotionally charged and symbolic poetry.

 The Age of Sensibility

    In the mid to late 18th century, there was also a rise in what is called the Age of Sensibility. This was a time when writers focused more on emotions and feelings. The word "sensibility" refers to the ability to feel deeply. Writers of this time were interested in exploring human emotions and how they influenced people's behavior.

    Writers like Oliver Goldsmith and Samuel Johnson were part of this movement. Their works combined emotional exploration with a sense of moral concern. For example, in Goldsmith’s "The Vicar of Wakefield", the main character, Dr. Primrose, faces emotional struggles that lead to moments of growth and reflection. His journey shows how deeply emotions can affect someone’s decisions and actions, marking a shift from the logical characters of earlier literature to those who were driven by feeling and humanity.

Nature and the Sublime

     One of the key aspects of this transition was the growing appreciation of nature. Nature was no longer just a backdrop for stories or a place for characters to wander through it became a powerful source of inspiration and emotion. Writers began to see nature as something much more sublime, which means awe-inspiring or overwhelming in its beauty or power.

     For example, William Blake’s work often depicted nature as a symbol of the divine. His poems about innocence and experience show the contrast between the pure beauty of nature and the harsh realities of life. Similarly, Robert Burns also celebrated nature’s beauty and its power to affect human emotions.

     In Blake’s "The Tyger", the image of a fearsome tiger in the jungle evokes both beauty and terror, showing the sublime power of nature. The idea of the sublime would later become even more central in Romanticism, where poets like Wordsworth would explore how nature could deeply stir emotions and thoughts about the human condition.

Signify this line :-

And all that beauty, all that wealth e’er gave, Awaits alike th’ inevitable hour.

    This line is taken from James Thomson’s "The Seasons," specifically from the poem “Autumn.” Thomson, writing in the early 18th century, reflects on the transient nature of life. He reminds the reader that no matter how much wealth or beauty someone has, death comes for everyone. This idea of inevitability that no one can escape death was a common theme in literature of the time. 

   The line represents the idea that material wealth and beauty do not protect against the inevitable passage of time. This perspective on mortality reflects a shift away from the earlier focus on social order and reason. In a way, it connects to the growing interest in human emotions and the realities of life, especially as writers began to explore more personal and emotional themes in their works.

Robert Burns: The National Poet of Scotland

Robert Burns is often called the National Poet of Scotland because of his significant contributions to Scottish culture, language, and identity. Burns was born in Scotland in 1759, and his work deeply reflects the life, struggles, and spirit of ordinary Scottish people.

1) Burns’s Connection to Scottish Culture :-

     Burns’s poetry captures the essence of Scottish life, particularly the lives of common folk. He celebrated Scottish traditions, customs, and language in a way that made him the voice of the people. Unlike many poets of his time, Burns used the Scots dialect, which made his work accessible to people who spoke that language. His poems, such as "Auld Lang Syne" and "To a Mouse," became deeply tied to Scottish identity and national pride.

    Burns’s works are full of empathy for the common man, and his poems reflect his belief in equality and social justice. In poems like "The Slave's Lament", Burns highlighted the suffering of people who were oppressed, whether by class, race, or circumstances, making him a poet for all people, especially those who had no voice in society.

2) Burns and the Scottish Language :-

  One of the reasons Burns is considered the National Poet of Scotland is because of his use of the Scots language. During Burns’s time, English was becoming the dominant language in Scotland, but Burns continued to write in the Scots dialect, ensuring that the language of the common people would not be lost. He celebrated Scottish culture by incorporating traditional songs, folksy expressions, and the distinct rhythms of Scots into his poetry.

Conclusion:-

    The later half of the 18th century marked a time of literary transition, with poets and writers bridging the gap between the neoclassical and romantic eras. This period witnessed the evolution of sensibility and a growing emphasis on emotional expression, individualism, and nature. Writers like Robert Burns, William Blake, and others helped to shape a new literary age, one that valued the expression of personal feelings and the exploration of nature’s beauty and mysteries. Burns, in particular, stands out as the National Poet of Scotland due to his celebration of Scottish identity, his use of the Scots dialect, and his critique of social and political issues.

In his poetry, Burns embodies the spirit of a transitional time, capturing the evolving nature of literature, culture, and society. His work serves as both a reflection of his time and an enduring symbol of the power of poetry to shape national identity. Through his verses, Burns’s legacy lives on, continuing to inspire readers and unite Scots in a shared sense of cultural pride.

Thank you 

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