1. Taken from pages 672-693 of Elements of Literature – Sixth Course.
Historical Introduction to the 2nd Nine Weeks – The Victorian Period - Abridged
Taken from pages of Elements of Literature – Sixth Course.

2. The Victorian Period – 1832-1901
Pgs
This period in England is characterized by a dramatic split into two very different times:
– At the beginning of the period, working conditions were terrible. Workers faced long hours, less pay, poor / dangerous working conditions, child labor, etc.
People in general faced worse living conditions, including famine, sharing bathrooms with many, many neighbors, pollution, etc.

3. Then Things Got Better Pgs 682-684
– After many riots and complaints, things became better.
More food was brought in from elsewhere
Food became cheaper.
Work days were reduced for adults and children.
Public schools came into being (and eventually, became free).
Literacy was on the rise.
The country in general began to feel very optimistic about Britain and human ability in general.

4. Prudence and Decorum Pgs 685-686
In Victorian times, partly in response to the excesses of the past, people had grown more sensitive to certain issues. Certain things simply could NOT be talked about in public:
Sex
Contraceptives (Some people were arrested for passing out leaflets on this very matter).
In art / fiction, sex, birth, and death were sugar-coated / softened / made more “G-Rated,” so to speak, for such delicate audiences.
Sex happened in marriage, period.
Motherhood depicted as joyous.
Dating was courtship leading to marriage.
Death was mostly the old passing away peacefully in their beds.

5. Men an Women Pgs 686-687 Men were seen as the heads of the households.
While men worked out in the dark and evil outside world, women were expected to keep the household – like a heavenly refuge from the hell outside.
Women had very few job options at this time, including the following:
Housewife
Governess
Teacher
Old Cat Lady (just kidding)

6. Progress Pg
Victorians, especially in the latter portion of the period, were very optimistic about human ability in general.
They believed that through reason and logic, anything could be overcome.
Emphasis on science, technology, and exploration were vast at this time.
See the attitude of Thomas Huxley in his chess- game metaphor for life.
See also the skepticism of Hardy and Housman in “Questions and Doubts.”

7. Activity – Life on the Thames
Think about what went into the Thames River in London in the Victorian period.
Sewage
Factory run-off / waste
Rain soaked into graveyards
Farm run-off
The Thames emitted clouds of stench so bad that Parliament (their government) had to stop their meetings and meet elsewhere in town just to get away from it.

8. Activity – Life on the Thames
Step 1 – Get into groups of 4 or less.
Step 2 – Imagine what you would do if you won a brand new home!...on the Thames River in Victorian England.
Step 3 – Create a detailed written response to this issue. You may be silly or serious, if you like.