<P> Romanticism originated in the 2nd half of the 18th century at the same time as the French Revolution . Romanticism continued to grow in reaction to the effects of the social transformation caused by the Revolution . There are many signs of these effects of the French Revolution in various pieces of Romantic literature . By examining the influence of the French Revolution, one can determine that Romanticism arose as a reaction to the French Revolution . Instead of searching for rules governing nature and human beings, the romantics searched for a direct communication with nature and treated humans as unique individuals not subject to scientific rules . </P> <P> The French Revolution played a huge role in influencing Romantic writers . As the Revolution began to play out, the absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed in only three years . This resulted in a complete transformation of society . A majority of the population was greatly in favor of this as the working class had been suffering oppression for many years . According to Albert Hancock, in his book The French Revolution and the English Poets: a study in historical criticism, "The French Revolution came, bringing with it the promise of a brighter day, the promise of regenerated man and regenerated earth . It was hailed with joy and acclamation by the oppressed, by the ardent lovers of humanity, by the poets, whose task it is to voice the human spirit ." </P>

Essay on impact of french revolution on english literature