The Broadview overview, "The Age of Romanticism" represents Romanticism as a political, philosophical and literary movement by highlighting the changes that the movement incurred in the political, philosophical, and literary spheres. For example, the French Revolution in part paved the way the Romanticism to develop, and gave the movement concepts to wrestle with- war, pastoral vs city life, vanity vs sublimity, and so on. The turmoil that resulted from the French Revolution made it possible for Romantic writers to focus on discussing and exploring political issues, such as feminism, child labor, and education reform- the discussion of which ties into philosophy as well. With the advancement of the printing press, works of literature were made more easily accessible to commonman (or woman!), advancing the field of literature itself.

Women's role in the movement of Romanticism was that to address issues of feminism and education. It discusses "Frankenstein" and "The Last Man," both by Mary Shelley, and "A Vindication of the Rights of Women" by Mary Wollstonecraft. Felicia Herman's "Welsh Melodies," Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice," and Anna Laetitia Barbauld's "Thoughts on the Inequality of Conditions" among others were also mentioned.

My perception of the female Romantic writers from reading this overview is that, contrary to my previous understanding, women played a greater role in this movement than first glance would suggest. From precursory feminism and education reform to reform of the poetic and novel form, women had their hands further in the pot than I realized before.