1. Historical Context
The Victorian Era

2. 1837-1901 During Queen Victoria’s Reign
People during this time were pressured to be polite, polished and proper
Many members of this middle-class aspired to join the ranks of the nobles, and felt that acting “properly,” according to the conventions and values of the time, was an important step in that direction
The period saw the rise of a highly idealized notion of what is “English” or what constitutes an “Englishman.” This notion is tied very closely to the period’s models for proper behavior, and is also tied very closely to England’s imperial enterprises.
Many colonists and politicians saw it as their political (and sometimes religious) duty to “help” or “civilize” native populations in colonized regions. It was thus important to have a model which provides a set of standards and codes of conduct, and the idealized notion of what is “English” often provided this model.

3. Expectations of men in the Victorian Era
Strict dress codes
Heightened moral compass
(for a time, women were the scandalous and lustful ones)
“Gentlemanly behavior”