1. The Victorian Age
1830’s--1900

2. The Victorian Period Named for Queen Victoria
Reigned exceptionally long time
Symbol of stability and domestic values
Period of extreme growth and prosperity
Empire expands to control ¼ of earth
London becomes economic capitol of world
No major wars or recessions

4. Beginning of Modern Economy
Technology of commerce develops
Railroads --Mass Production
Steamships --Electric power
International trade escalates
Exotic goods become common
Coffee, tea, sugar, bananas
English companies become major importers/exporters

5. Beginning of Modern Economy
Rise of the middle class
Bankers, merchants, etc.
People with education, disposable income
Make up majority of consumers
Become backbone of English society and economy

6. English Become Conservative
Believed England=most perfect society
Peak of human civilization
Has right and duty to rule the world
Social codes become very strict
Every person has a clearly defined role
Society depends on each person sticking to his/her role

7. Society Becomes More Secular
Still predominantly Christian
Start to see nation, rather than religion, as the source of identity and morality
Science and rational thought are the keys to society
Social Darwinism
Utilitarianism

8. Dark Side of English Prosperity
Unregulated industry exploits workers
Low pay
Long days
Inappropriate conditions
Rapid growth of underclass, especially in cities
Major urban problems:

9. Dark Side of English Prosperity
Problems spill over into mainstream life
Epidemics
crime
Middle and upper classes become obsessed with the problems
What about English superiority?
Solutions within the system
The poor deserve what they are getting

10. Children were treated as small adults
Children were treated as small adults. There was no value placed upon play time or just being a kid.
London was dirty and overcrowded, and technology did not keep pace with population growth.

11. Victorian Poetry Heavily influenced by Romantics
Both periods saw poetry as a form of social consience
Both saw poets as social leaders
Victorians more moderate than Romantics
Romantics wanted complete social revolution
Victorians wanted changes within the system

12. Thematic Characteristics
Not autobiographical
Focus on fables, myths, historical characters
Make indirect comments about society
Talk about universal problems
Up to the reader to apply to life

13. Formal Characteristics
Interested in poetic form and grammar
Poetry should have refined language
Emphasis on external imagery
Not the narrator’s inner thoughts

14. Dominant Form-Dramatic Monologue
Narrator is a character
Set in a specific time and place
Speaking to a specific person/group
Speech leads reader to a conclusion about the narrator
Perfect example: “Ulysses” by Alfred, Lord Tennyson