1. Unit 3: Discovering the Self - Part 2
The Victorian Age
Unit 3: Discovering the Self - Part 2
12 CP British Literature - Mekari

2. Transition from Romantic Age to Victorian Era
The Gilded Age
Gilding: The process of applying gold leaf or gold paint.
Often used to cover something less valuable to give it the appearance of value.

3. Living in the Victorian Age
Queen Victoria reigned for 64 years.
Britain’s economy boomed and there was great optimism in the country.
Factories and towns grew into large
cities.
Two distinct classes – industrial class
and modern-middle class.
Military power increased – primarily the navy – which afforded them new colonies in distant lands.

4. A Reforming Age
May have seemed good on the outside, but all was NOT “right with the world” (Browning) in Victorian England.
Writers exposed brutal factory conditions and stinking slums.
Victorian reformers had great faith that they could make all right in the future.
Victorian leaders took steps to expand democracy and improve conditions for the poor.

5. Continued There was a burning desire to strengthen democracy.
“People’s Charter” written by William Lovett demanded universal suffrage for all males, not just the wealthy and middle class.
The reform was passed in 1867 which added 938,000 voters to the population.

6. Reform also included: Women’s right to attend university
Reduced work day for women and children
Free grammar school
Trade unions
Public sanitation
Regulation of factories and houses
This was only the start!

7. The Imperialist Urge
Imperialism: the policy of extending the rule or authority of an empire or nation over foreign countries, or of acquiring and holding colonies and dependencies – dictionary.com
Many arguments were made for this, including:
Cornering the market on trade
Offering a home to English settlers
Having the advantage over European rivals
The belief that white, Christian, progressive civilizations were dominant. The Britons could descend on other non-Westerners and offer assistance – Many people sincerely believed this!

8. Britain as a World Power
Liberals (formerly Whigs) advocated to limit British rule – however the empire continued to grow.
Britain acquired Hong Kong from China in 1842
1858 Britain took direct control of India
In the last three decades of Victoria’s rule, they expanded their influence in Africa and gained control of the Suez Canal in Egypt and acquired territories like Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, and Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe).
It is not important that you remember all of the acquired territories - but rather than England was a dominant force in the world and was acquiring global territories.

9. Victorian Thought Deep confidence in humanities ability
to better itself.
Changes in the industrial revolution
brought conflicting feelings among
Victorian thinkers.
They liked the benefits industrialization had brought but…
They deplored the brutality of factory life.

10. Science vs. Religon
Victorians grappled with religious and philosophical issues as well and the social implications of modern life.
The theory of evolution by Charles Darwin stirred bitter controversy. (Natural Selection)
Some that that Darwin’s theory was a direct challenge to Biblical truth and traditional religious faith.
Others reconciled their faith with scientific insights.

11. Romantics, Realists, and Naturalists
Romanticism continued to influence Victorian writers.
Romanticism was now a part of mainstream culture.
Realism focused on ordinary people facing ordinary problems of life – the emphasis was on a growing middle-class audience for literature.
Naturalism – A related movement which sought to put the scientific spirit of observation to literary use.
Naturalists crammed their novels with the gritty details – sour smells of poverty, the harsh sounds of factories – they often promoted social change.

12. Focus for the second part of Unit 3:
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Excerpts from Jane Eyre and Hard Times
Transition text - The Importance of Being Earnest