📚18th and 19th Century Literature Unit 3 – Victorian Literature

Key Authors and Works

• Charles Dickens wrote influential novels such as "Great Expectations" (1861) and "Oliver Twist" (1837-1839) that explored social issues and class divisions
  • "A Christmas Carol" (1843) is a famous novella that emphasizes the importance of compassion and generosity
• Elizabeth Gaskell authored "North and South" (1854-1855) and "Cranford" (1851-1853), which dealt with the changing social landscape and industrialization
• Thomas Hardy penned novels like "Tess of the d'Urbervilles" (1891) and "Jude the Obscure" (1895), often focusing on tragic characters and the consequences of social constraints
• George Eliot, the pen name of Mary Ann Evans, wrote "Middlemarch" (1871-1872) and "Silas Marner" (1861), known for their psychological depth and realism
• Alfred, Lord Tennyson, Poet Laureate of Great Britain and Ireland, composed famous poems such as "In Memoriam A.H.H." (1849) and "The Charge of the Light Brigade" (1854)
• Robert Browning and Elizabeth Barrett Browning were prominent poets, known for their dramatic monologues and sonnets, respectively
  • Elizabeth Barrett Browning's "Sonnets from the Portuguese" (1850) is a famous collection of love poems

Historical Context

• The Victorian era (1837-1901) was marked by the reign of Queen Victoria, the longest-reigning British monarch until Queen Elizabeth II
• Industrialization rapidly transformed society, leading to urbanization, social upheaval, and the rise of the middle class
  • The Industrial Revolution led to the growth of factories, mass production, and improved transportation systems
• The British Empire expanded significantly during this period, establishing colonies and exerting global influence
• The era witnessed significant advancements in science and technology, including Charles Darwin's theory of evolution and the development of photography
• Social reforms, such as the abolition of slavery (1833) and the Factory Act (1833), aimed to address societal issues and improve working conditions
• The Great Exhibition of 1851 showcased Britain's industrial and cultural achievements, symbolizing the nation's prosperity and progress
• The Victorian era was characterized by strict social norms, emphasizing morality, respectability, and adherence to traditional gender roles

Literary Themes and Motifs

• Social class and hierarchy were prominent themes, with authors often exploring the struggles and aspirations of characters from different social backgrounds
• The impact of industrialization on society, including the changing landscape, working conditions, and the rise of the middle class
• The role of women in society and the constraints placed upon them, as well as the emergence of the "New Woman" in the late Victorian period
• The conflict between individual desires and societal expectations, particularly in relation to love, marriage, and personal fulfillment
• The importance of morality, duty, and respectability in Victorian society, and the consequences of transgressing social norms
• The influence of religion and the challenges posed by scientific advancements, such as the theory of evolution
• The idea of progress and the belief in the potential for social reform and improvement
• The exploration of the human psyche, emotions, and the inner lives of characters, reflecting a growing interest in psychology and realism

Genre Developments

• The novel became the dominant literary form during the Victorian era, with a focus on realism, social commentary, and psychological depth
  • The serialized novel gained popularity, with many works published in installments in magazines or newspapers before being released as complete books
• The Victorian novel often featured intricate plots, large casts of characters, and detailed descriptions of settings and social conditions
• The sensation novel emerged in the 1860s, characterized by scandalous content, suspense, and melodrama, as seen in the works of Wilkie Collins and Mary Elizabeth Braddon
• The detective novel gained prominence, with works like Wilkie Collins's "The Moonstone" (1868) and Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories (1887-1927)
• Poetry underwent significant changes, with a shift from Romantic idealism to a more realistic and psychologically complex approach
  • The dramatic monologue, as exemplified by Robert Browning's works, allowed poets to explore the thoughts and motivations of individual characters
• The essay and non-fiction prose flourished, with writers like Thomas Carlyle, John Ruskin, and Matthew Arnold contributing to intellectual debates and cultural criticism

Social and Cultural Impact

• Victorian literature both reflected and shaped the values, concerns, and aspirations of the era, serving as a mirror and a critique of society
• Novels and other literary works played a crucial role in exposing social issues, such as poverty, child labor, and gender inequality, contributing to public awareness and reform efforts
• The rise of literacy and the availability of affordable print materials, including newspapers and magazines, expanded the reading public and democratized access to literature
• The circulating library system and the growth of the publishing industry made literature more accessible to a wider audience
• Literary works influenced public opinion and sparked debates on various social, political, and moral issues
  • For example, Elizabeth Gaskell's "Mary Barton" (1848) and Charles Dickens's "Hard Times" (1854) highlighted the plight of the working class and the impact of industrialization
• Victorian literature contributed to the formation of a shared cultural identity and the reinforcement of societal norms and values
• The global reach of the British Empire facilitated the spread of Victorian literature and ideas, influencing literary traditions in other parts of the world

Literary Techniques and Style

• Victorian literature is characterized by a focus on realism, with detailed descriptions of settings, characters, and social conditions
  • Authors sought to create a sense of verisimilitude and to capture the complexities of human experience
• Omniscient third-person narration was commonly employed, allowing the narrator to provide insights into the thoughts and motivations of multiple characters
• The use of irony, both verbal and situational, was prevalent, often serving to highlight social disparities and the gap between appearance and reality
• Symbolism and imagery were used to convey deeper meanings and to evoke emotional responses in readers
• The incorporation of multiple plot lines and the use of coincidence and surprise endings were common narrative techniques
• Victorian writers often employed a formal and elevated language, reflecting the era's emphasis on propriety and respectability
  • However, some authors, such as Charles Dickens, also incorporated colloquial speech and dialect to create more realistic and relatable characters
• The use of serialization influenced the structure and pacing of novels, with authors crafting cliffhangers and suspenseful episodes to maintain reader interest

Critical Reception and Analysis

• Victorian literature has been the subject of extensive critical analysis and interpretation, both during the era and in subsequent decades
• Contemporary critics, such as George Henry Lewes and Margaret Oliphant, provided reviews and commentary on the works of their peers, shaping public opinion and literary taste
• The Victorian era saw the emergence of professional literary criticism, with publications like the "Edinburgh Review" and the "Quarterly Review" offering in-depth analyses of literary works
• Later critical approaches, such as feminist, Marxist, and postcolonial theories, have provided new perspectives on Victorian literature, examining issues of gender, class, and empire
• Psychoanalytic criticism has been applied to Victorian works, exploring the psychological dimensions of characters and the influence of the authors' own experiences
• The concept of the "Victorian sage," exemplified by writers like Thomas Carlyle and John Ruskin, has been studied as a distinctive feature of the era's intellectual landscape
• The relationship between Victorian literature and the visual arts, particularly the Pre-Raphaelite movement, has been a focus of interdisciplinary analysis
• The role of censorship and the impact of moral and social codes on Victorian literature have been examined, highlighting the tensions between artistic expression and societal expectations

Legacy and Influence

• Victorian literature has had a lasting impact on the English literary canon and continues to be widely read, studied, and adapted
• The works of Victorian authors have been translated into numerous languages, reaching a global audience and influencing literary traditions worldwide
• Victorian novels, such as those by Charles Dickens and the Brontë sisters, have become cultural touchstones, with characters and phrases entering popular consciousness
• The social and political concerns addressed in Victorian literature, such as poverty, gender equality, and the impact of industrialization, remain relevant to contemporary readers
• Victorian literary techniques, such as the use of multiple plot lines, suspense, and realism, have influenced subsequent generations of writers
• The Victorian era's emphasis on morality, respectability, and social norms has been both celebrated and critiqued by later authors and scholars
  • Some writers have sought to challenge or subvert Victorian values, while others have drawn inspiration from the era's literary traditions
• Victorian literature has been adapted into various media, including films, television series, and stage productions, testifying to its enduring appeal and cultural significance
• The study of Victorian literature has contributed to the development of English literature as an academic discipline and has shaped critical approaches to literary analysis