Which of the following is a common characteristic of Romantic literature?

• A. Focus on industrial progress
• B. Emphasis on emotion and individualism
• C. Strict adherence to poetic forms
• D. Promotion of rational thought

Answer: (B)

The emphasis on emotion and individualism is a hallmark of Romantic literature. This literary movement, which emerged in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, prioritizes personal feelings, intuition, and a deep connection to nature over the rationalism that characterized the preceding Enlightenment period. Romantic writers often celebrated the individual's experience, creativity, and imagination, portraying intense emotional landscapes and the subjective nature of human consciousness. This focus on the individual and the emotional depth of their experiences distinguishes Romantic literature from other literary movements that may emphasize logic or conformity to established forms. The other options reflect themes associated with different movements or ideologies: industrial progress and rational thought are linked to the Enlightenment and a certain pragmatism, while strict adherence to poetic forms is more characteristic of earlier literary traditions like Neoclassicism.