The Victorian Period 1830-1901

A Time of Change London becomes most important city in Europe--population of London expands from two million to six million Shift from agrarian to urban economy Expansion of industrialism Increase in wealth and rise of middle class World’s foremost imperial power Victorian people suffered from anxiety, being displaced persons in an age of technological advances.

Queen Victoria and the Victorian Temper Ruled England 1837-1901 Exemplifies Victorian qualities: earnestness, moral responsibility, domestic propriety The Victorian Period was an age of transition An age characterized by high moral purpose Spread of British Empire

The Time of Troubles 1830’s and 1840’s Unemployed—1.5 mil Poverty/potato famine Rioting Slums in large cities Terrible working conditions; women and children worked 15-18 hours a day Pollution and industrial waste

The Mid-Victorian Period 1848-1870 A time of relative prosperity A time of improvement A time of stability and optimism Progress for the Victorians meant Clean, lighted streets Streets patrolled by police at night City planning for “respectable” neighborhoods

The Reform Bills 1832-Transformed English class structure and extended the right to vote to males owning property Second Reform Bill passed in 1867 extended right to vote to working class Factory Act limited child labor to 10 hours per day

Challenges to Religious Belief Science Advances in science and technology Darwin--the Origin of the Species and The Descent of Man Higher Criticism Examination of the Bible as a mere text of history Advances in the study of geology, astronomy

Victorian Decorum Victorian society pre-occupied with “correct” behavior and manners—(similar to scene from The Age of Innocence). Role of Victorian woman to create a place of peace and tranquility for her husband. Victorians thought life would be improved if everyone became more refined. Very prudish about sex

The Victorian Novel The novel was the dominant form in Victorian literature and represented a large and comprehensive social world, with a variety of classes. Victorian novels are realistic. Major theme is the place of the individual in society, the aspiration of the hero or heroine for love or social position. The protagonist’s search for fulfillment is emblematic of the human condition. For the first time, women were major writers: the Brontes. Elizabeth Gaskell, George Eliot. The Victorian novel was a principal form of entertainment.

Victorian Poetry Dramatic monologue – the idea of creating a lyric poem in the voice of a speaker distinct from the poet is the great achievement of Victorian poetry. Victorian poetry is pictorial; poets use detail to construct visual images that represent the emotion or situation the poem concerns. Conflict between private poetic self and public social role.

Victorian Writers Asked questions whether material comforts fully satisfied needs. Questioned exploitative labor Attacked materialism and waste that accompanied progress—questioned whether culture was advancing Expressed spiritual doubt—pessimistic exploration of human struggle Examined dangers and benefits of rapid industrialization; encouraged readers to examine their understanding of progress.

Images of the Victorian Period