1. The Victorian Era
Overview of an Era

2. "We are of the time of chivalry....We are of the age of steam."
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"We are of the time of chivalry....We are of the age of steam."
-William Makepeace Thackery

3. Rule Britannia? Between 1800 & 1850:
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Between 1800 & 1850:
population doubled from nine to eighteen million
Britain became the richest country on earth
first urban, industrial society in history
By 1890:
1 in 4 people on the earth were under British rule

4. General Overview The Victorian Era was marked by:
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Rapid growth of industry
Rise to power of the industrial middle class
Enormous increase in population
Tendency of the new science to undermine deeply held religious convictions
Science as reflected in literature caused a growing disillusionment with the traditional moral values.

5. (continued)
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Throughout the 30’s, 40’s, and 50’s, an increasing number of able writers turned their attention to current social evils.
Plight of the poor
Evils of child labor
Incessant conflict of middle class & working class

6. Industrialization Land owning aristocracy lost power
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Land owning aristocracy lost power
The insecure, “ever expanding” urban middle class gained power
Businessmen
Professionals
Millions of rural workers forced into poverty

7. Morals during Victorian Period
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Rooted in Religion
Social acceptance depended on conformity to rigid ideals
Education instilled moral and religious principles

8. Victoria and the Victorians
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We Are Not Amused…
Victoria and the Victorians

9. “… the head of our morality”
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During the tumultuous time, The Queen ultimately came to represent:
England & Empire
Stability & Continuity
Duty, Family, & Propriety
A stern, conservative, durable symbol of her dynamic, aggressively businesslike realm.

10. An Exception to Her own Rule:
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Victoria herself was study in contradiction; a publicly projected image that held a privately unfulfilled ideal :
World’s most powerful woman, but did not support the “mad, wicked folly of Women’s Rights”.
Her face was known around the world, but she lived in constant seclusion
Held as an icon of motherhood, but hated pregnancy, childbirth and babies

11. What is a Victorian?
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The adjective "Victorian" was first used in 1851 to celebrate the nation's mounting pride in its institutions and commercial success.
This historical/literary period is defined by the duration of a monarch’s rule, rather than any one unifying idea as was the case with the Romantics.

12. Society Class distinction was apparent / social status was important.
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Class distinction was apparent / social status was important.
Social pressure dictated individual behavior / virtues
Hard work, sobriety, thrift, and poetry were valued.
Regular church attendance
Support of missions and charities
Proper dress and etiquette were carefully observed
Obedience to authority was very important (Queen, parents)

13. Social Ills 1. Upper class – didn’t feel many Classes:
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Classes:
1. Upper class – didn’t feel many
troubles of society; took things
for granted
2. Middle class – literate, good
jobs, hard-working, wealthy
3. Lower class – extreme poverty;
often uneducated

14. Victorian Behavior
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Stereotypically, “Victorian” social conduct is governed by:
Strict rules
Formal manners
Rigidly defined gender roles
Relations hampered by sexual prudery
Intense obsession with a public appearance of propriety (private facts were often the compete opposite!)

15. Contradictory Behaviors
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Perceived Image:
Energetic
Phenomenal work ethic
Sense of duty towards the “Public Good”
Self-confident
A Society of “over-achievers”

16. Contradictory Behaviors
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Their contemporary literature hints that:
Public responsibility = an excuse to ease doubts:
Religious faith
Gender roles
Class privilege
Conservatism = FEAR OF CHANGE