Here's why:
* Shared Characteristics: Literary movements are defined by common themes, styles, and philosophies that unite a group of authors.
* Influence: These movements often have a significant impact on the literary landscape, influencing other writers and shaping the course of literary history.
* Historical Context: Literary movements are usually associated with specific historical periods and cultural contexts, reflecting the ideas and concerns of the time.
Examples of literary movements include:
* Romanticism: Emphasized emotion, imagination, and the individual.
* Realism: Focused on depicting everyday life accurately and objectively.
* Modernism: Explored themes of alienation, fragmentation, and the breakdown of traditional values.
* Postmodernism: Challenged traditional notions of truth, reality, and narrative.
It's important to note that:
* Literary movements are not always clearly defined or universally agreed upon.
* Writers may belong to multiple movements, and there can be overlaps and disagreements within a single movement.
* The term "literary movement" is often used interchangeably with "literary period," but the former emphasizes the shared artistic principles and practices of a group of writers.