Sentimentality - Or as I now understand it...

[crystalrmartin]

crystalrmartin.livejournal.com/3235.html

Last Friday I finally heard my Professor explain the definition of Sentimentality. I now have a more definite understanding of what he meant. It happened we were looking at art. I meant to type this up over the weekend, but life comes at you fast, and I am just now getting to it. Apologies...

So

Comments

[kmarkhoover]

Hm. I dunno. I think sentimentality can make you think, too. Sometimes when I'm being sentimental about someone I find myself also thinking about different aspects of our lives. It's not like being sentimental is as superficial as all that, although I agree sometimes it def is.

[crystalrmartin]

Good point...I agree, I don't think all sentimentality is necessarily lacking depth. I shall strive to give mine depth and leave you thinking. ;)

[februaryfour]

If that's the definition, perhaps that works. ^_^ Wikipedia seems to agree with you, at any rate.

[elthionesse]

That's the standard academic definition. Its academic meaning differs from when used colloquially, like "being sentimental over someone." I don't think the latter precludes thought, but when used academically, once it emotional response becomed "earned" rather than playing off of people's simple heartstring responses, then it's authentic emotion and no longer sentimental.