Victorian Literature

Queen Victoria In 1837, Queen Victoria ascended to the throne. Her reign lasted over 60 years, until By the time of Queen Victoria, Britain’s slow transition towards “constitutional monarchy,” (which began with the signing of the Magna Carta in 1215) was completed; Victoria, like today’s British monarchs, was little more than a ceremonial figurehead.

Queen Victoria During her reign, England rebounded from the losses of their colonies in America, and grew in power. An ever expanding economy, based upon industrial manufacturing and colonial expansion around the world, helped propel the British Empire to heretofore undreamed of heights.

Political Reform During the 19 th century, law reform led to many important changes, including an end to slavery, universal voting for all males, child labor laws, and free public education.

Success at a Price Though the British Empire became far more powerful under Victoria’s rule, the country also began to grapple with many emerging social and political problems, including: The treatment of colonized people in India, Africa, and the Middle East The conflict between laissez-faire capitalism and emerging socialist philosophy Progressive democratic reform vs. traditional upper- class rule

Victorian Values Many consider the term “Victorian” synonymous with “straitlaced” or even “repressed.” While this stereotype may not be 100% accurate, the Victorian period was most certainly a time in which most of the people of England embraced conservative social values.

Victorian Values Examples of Victorian social conservatism include:

Extremely Modest Fashion Women were expected to wear long dresses, even in the summertime.

Extremely Modest Fashion Men were expected wear full suits, both in public and when taking in visitors at home

Euphemisms Euphemisms are polite expressions designed to avoid talking about “sensitive topics.” Examples of common euphemisms from the Victorian period include “a delivery from the stork” to describe the birth of a child, and “gentleman cow” or “he cow” for a bull.

Victorian Literature Much of the literature of the period reflects the values and challenges of the day. Common themes include: Tradition vs. Social Reform Observation of the natural world, and the connection between nature and human behavior The differences between our outward social appearance and the person we hide from the world The balance between our instinctual impulses and the rules and requirements of our society

Victorian Drama Many remarkable dramatists emerged during this period, including Oscar Wilde and George Bernard Shaw Realistic theatre, which maintained the illusion of the fourth wall and which examined the conditions of everyday people began to become more popular.

Victorian Poetry Great poets of the period include Alfred, Lord Tennyson Robert Browning Elizabeth Barrett Browning Matthew Arnold A.E. Housman

Alfred, Lord Tennyson ( Perhaps the greatest poet of the 19 th century, Tennyson is best remembered for masterpieces like “Ulysses,” a dramatic monologue written in the voice of the hero from Homer’s Odyssey “The Eagle,” a short form Romantic lyric In Memoriam, A.H.H., a collection of elegies dedidcated to the memory of his close friend Arthur H. Hallam

Robert Browning ( ) and Elizabeth Barrett Browning ( ) A married couple who both produced great poetry. She is best known for her 43 rd Sonnet, which begins with the famous line, “How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.” His most well known work is “My Last Duchess,” a dramatic monologue in which the speaker reveals himself to be a madman.

Matthew Arnold ( ) A noted poet whose “Dover Beach” exemplifies the uncertainty that plagued many taken aback by the frequent social changes occuring during the period.

A.E. Housman ( ) Bridging the gap between the 19 th and 20 th centuries, poems by Housman like “To An Athlete Dying Young” are precursors to the themes of disillusionment that would permeate post-World War I literature.

Victorian Prose The novel, first introduced during the 18 th century, became the most popular form of literature during the 19 th century, including among an ever expanding (and ever more literate) middle class. Female novelists, such as the Bronte sisters and Kate Chopin, writing for an emerging audience of educated women, became extremely popular, as did serial writers like Charles Dickens.

The Bronte Sisters Charlotte Bronte ( ), author of Jane Eyre Emily Bronte ( ), author of Wuthering Heights Anne Bronte ( ), author of Agnes Gray

Kate Chopin ( ) Popular during her lifetime, largely forgotten for several decades afterward, but rediscovered by critics in the 1950’s and 60’s, her work, including the novel The Awakening, is celebrated for its honest depictions of women’s lives during the Victorian period.

Charles Dickens ( ) Arguably one of the most beloved authors of all time, his works include David Copperfield, A Christmas Carol, Great Expectations, and A Tale of Two Cities. Several of Dickens’ novels were published as serials, in monthly installments. Dickens’ work was so popular that crowds were reported to have shown up at New York harbor awaiting deliveries of his latest installments.

Other Famous Writers You may also already be familiar with the following Victorian writers: Robert Louis Stevenson (Treasure Island and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde) Thomas Hardy (Tess of the D’Urbervilles) Rudyard Kipling (The Jungle Book) Bram Stoker (Dracula) Lewis Carroll (Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland)

Victorian Legacy You will find that the literature we read from this period, despite some shift in the vernacular, is in substance quite similar to today’s popular stories. The Victorian’s focus on realistic and believable literature marks a key shift toward today’s modern art and entertainment.