Final answer:
The emergence of romanticism in nineteenth-century British literature revolutionized literary expression, focusing on emotional depth, the beauty of nature, individualism, and the impact of industrialization, marking a radical departure from Enlightenment rationalism.
Step-by-step explanation:
The emergence of romanticism in nineteenth-century British literature represented a significant shift away from the classical norms that emphasized order, reason, and restraint. This period in literature was marked by a distinct rebellion against these Enlightenment ideals, giving way to a new emphasis on emotion, individualism, and the power of nature. Romanticism advocated for a subjective and intuitive approach to art, highlighting the importance of emotional depth and personal experience in relation to the world.
Romantic writers like William Wordsworth, Percy Bysshe Shelley, and Lord Byron, channeled the spirit of the age, expressing a deep appreciation for the majesty of nature and the individual's emotional response to it. This was in stark contrast to the previous rational approach to literature and was also a response to the sweeping changes brought about by the Industrial Revolution. The impact of urbanization and industrialization, viewed unfavorably as a threat to the natural and agrarian way of life, became a focal point of criticism within Romantic works.
Romanticism also found its roots in the nationalism stirred by the events of the French Revolution, which further fueled the movement's emphasis on individualism and society's heroes. This period in literature is far from being a brief or insignificant phase, as romanticism has profoundly influenced literary forms, themes, and the role of the writer in society.