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Sentimental Poetry

Lyric and Short Poetic Forms

Sentimental poetry is a melodramatic poetic form aimed primarily at stimulating the emotions rather than at communicating experience truthfully, with bereavement a common theme. Friedrich Schiller discussed the form in his influential essay On Naive and Sentimental Poetry, and Romantic poetry is rooted in and springs from the sentimental tradition; the style was later parodied by Mark Twain in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

Facts
Partially Attested
Place of Origin
England 1
Based on the article's statement that Charlotte Turner Smith was the first poet in England to be called romantic, and that Romantic poetry springs from the sentimental tradition; the article does not state a single country of origin directly.
Notable Example
Union Square by Sara Teasdale 1
Defining Trait
A melodramatic poetic form aimed primarily at stimulating the emotions rather than at communicating experience truthfully 1
FAQs

How is sentimental poetry related to Romantic poetry?

Romantic poetry springs from sentimental poetry, and Charlotte Turner Smith shows both what they share and how they differ.

Romantic poetry is rooted in and springs from the sentimental tradition. Charlotte Turner Smith is described as the first poet in England to be called romantic, and her poetry illustrates both the common ground between the sentimental and the romantic and the qualities that set them apart.
In the Other Atlases

Originated In

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject originated.

Sources
1. Wikipedia: Sentimental poetry
  • Main section
    Charlotte Turner Smith is the first poet in England to be called romantic.
  • Lead section
    Sentimental poetry is a melodramatic poetic form aimed primarily at stimulating the emotions rather than at communicating experience truthfully.
  • Main section [notable-example]
    Sara Teasdale was praised for her lyrical mastery and romantic subjects.
  • In Group: Broad Poetic Kinds and Classical Modes, Lead
    Sentimental poetry is a melodramatic poetic form.
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