sentimental literature

Sentimental literature is a genre that emphasizes emotional expression and the exploration of personal feelings. It aims to evoke empathy and connect readers with characters’ inner experiences, often highlighting themes of love, compassion, and moral virtue. This style values emotional sincerity and emphasizes the power of feelings over rationality, seeking to create an intimate, heartfelt connection between the reader and the story. Originating in the 18th century, it reflects a cultural shift toward valuing individual emotional depth and moral sensitivity in storytelling.