How does Romanticism view individual expression compared to Realism?

The correct choice highlights the core principles of Romanticism and Realism regarding individual expression. Romanticism is characterized by its emphasis on individual emotion and personal experience. This movement arose as a response to the Enlightenment's focus on reason and social order, embracing instead the value of emotion, intuition, and the individual's subjective experience of the world. Romantic artists and writers often sought to express deep emotions and explore the inner lives of their characters, valuing personal inspiration and creativity over societal constraints.

In contrast, Realism emerged as a literary and artistic movement that aimed to depict everyday life and society more accurately and objectively. Realism focuses on the ordinary aspects of life, often portraying characters in relation to their social roles and environments. While Realism acknowledges individual experiences, it tends to emphasize the influence of social conditions on those experiences. It seeks to document reality as it is, often without embellishment or the focus on deep emotional expression that is so central to Romanticism.

By acknowledging this distinction, it becomes clear why the first choice accurately reflects the relationship between individual expression in Romanticism and the societal focus of Realism.