A Sentimental Journey Through France and Italy

Sterne considered sentimentality to be so important a theme that he titled his book A Sentimental Journey. It is this focus on sentimentality which, Stern and Yorick feel, separates this book from the other travelogues that existed in the 18th century. The sentimental aspect of the book is borrowed from contemporary culture, including a strong focus on emotion and fine feeling. Throughout his travels, Yorick meets new people and always stresses the importance of manners, etiquette, and portraying himself in the best possible fashion. These sentiments, with the emphasis placed on pleasantries, creates a sympathetic and knowledgeable ambiance.

While traveling, Yorick makes a concerted effort to act benevolently and philanthropically, whether he is hiring La Fleur, flirting with women, or visiting Maris. He believes that his journey “fares better with sentiments” (70), a suggestion that this approach is not just part of his personality but a determined effort to actively improve his trip. The “sentimental” nature of the journey is not only conveyed in the writing, but in the actual approach to journeying. Yorick travels in a way that he believes is the best way to do so.

In literary terms, the sentimental nature of the journey is revealed in the