📘English Literature – 1670 to 1850 Unit 15 – Victorian Era: Context and Culture

Historical Context

• Victorian Era spanned from 1837 to 1901, during the reign of Queen Victoria
• Characterized by rapid industrialization, leading to significant changes in society and economy
• British Empire expanded globally, establishing colonies and engaging in international trade
• Rise of the middle class due to increased economic opportunities and social mobility
• Shift from rural to urban living as people moved to cities for work in factories and industries
• Advancements in transportation (railways) and communication (telegraph) revolutionized connectivity
• Scientific discoveries and technological innovations (Charles Darwin's theory of evolution) challenged traditional beliefs
• Political reforms, such as the Reform Acts of 1832 and 1867, expanded voting rights and increased political participation

Social and Cultural Landscape

• Victorian society was deeply stratified, with distinct social classes (upper, middle, and working classes)
• Strict moral codes and emphasis on propriety, respectability, and decorum shaped social interactions
• Gender roles were clearly defined, with men as breadwinners and women as homemakers
  • Women were expected to embody the "ideal of domesticity" and uphold virtues of purity and submissiveness
• Rise of the "cult of domesticity" glorified the home as a haven from the harsh realities of the industrial world
• Education became more accessible, with the establishment of public schools and universities
  • However, educational opportunities remained limited for women and the lower classes
• Religion played a significant role in Victorian life, with the Church of England as the dominant denomination
  • Evangelical movement gained popularity, emphasizing personal piety and moral reform
• Victorian culture valued self-improvement, hard work, and individual responsibility

Key Literary Movements

• Realism emerged as a dominant literary movement, focusing on depicting everyday life and social realities
  • Aimed to present a truthful and objective portrayal of society, often highlighting social issues and injustices
• Naturalism, an offshoot of realism, emphasized the role of determinism and the influence of heredity and environment on characters' lives
• Aestheticism prioritized beauty, art for art's sake, and the pursuit of sensory pleasure over moral or didactic concerns
  • Associated with the "art for art's sake" slogan and the idea of "l'art pour l'art"
• Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, a group of artists and writers, sought to revive the simplicity and sincerity of pre-Renaissance art
• Sensation novels gained popularity, featuring scandalous and thrilling plots that challenged social norms
• Gothic literature continued to evolve, exploring themes of mystery, horror, and the supernatural

Notable Authors and Works

• Charles Dickens (1812-1870): Novels such as "Oliver Twist," "Great Expectations," and "A Tale of Two Cities" critiqued social injustices and portrayed the lives of the working class
• George Eliot (1819-1880): "Middlemarch" and "Silas Marner" explored complex characters and moral dilemmas in provincial settings
• Thomas Hardy (1840-1928): Novels like "Tess of the d'Urbervilles" and "Jude the Obscure" depicted the struggles of individuals against societal constraints and fate
• Oscar Wilde (1854-1900): Known for his wit and aestheticism, works include "The Picture of Dorian Gray" and the play "The Importance of Being Earnest"
• Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809-1892): Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom, famous for poems such as "In Memoriam A.H.H." and "The Charge of the Light Brigade"
• Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806-1861): Poet known for her sonnet sequence "Sonnets from the Portuguese" and her social and political activism
• Emily Brontë (1818-1848): "Wuthering Heights," a novel exploring passionate love and the destructive nature of revenge
• Charlotte Brontë (1816-1855): "Jane Eyre," a novel that challenged gender and class norms through its strong female protagonist

Themes and Motifs

• Social class and hierarchy: Victorian literature often explored the rigid class structure and its impact on individuals' lives and opportunities
• Gender roles and expectations: Works challenged traditional gender norms and highlighted the limitations and oppression faced by women
• Industrialization and urbanization: Literature depicted the effects of rapid industrialization on society, including poverty, working conditions, and the changing landscape
• Nature and the environment: The relationship between humans and nature was a recurring theme, often symbolizing the clash between industrialization and the natural world
• Morality and religion: Victorian literature grappled with questions of morality, faith, and the role of religion in society
  • Works explored the tension between traditional religious beliefs and emerging scientific and philosophical ideas
• Identity and self-discovery: Characters often embarked on journeys of self-discovery, navigating societal expectations and personal desires
• Progress and change: Literature reflected the rapid changes occurring in Victorian society, including advancements in technology, science, and social reforms

Literary Techniques and Styles

• Realism: Authors employed detailed descriptions, realistic dialogue, and complex characterization to create a sense of authenticity
  • Aimed to present a truthful and objective portrayal of society and human nature
• Omniscient narration: Many Victorian novels featured an all-knowing narrator who provided insights into characters' thoughts and motivations
• Symbolism: Writers used symbols to convey deeper meanings and themes, often drawing from nature, religion, or mythology
• Irony and satire: Authors employed irony and satire to critique social norms, institutions, and human behavior
• Psychological depth: Victorian literature explored the inner lives of characters, delving into their thoughts, emotions, and moral struggles
• Serialization: Many novels were initially published in installments in periodicals, influencing the structure and pacing of the narratives
• Bildungsroman: The "novel of education" or "coming-of-age" story became a popular form, tracing the psychological and moral growth of the protagonist
• Dramatic monologues: Poets like Robert Browning and Alfred, Lord Tennyson used dramatic monologues to explore characters' psyches and reveal their inner conflicts

Impact on Society and Future Literature

• Victorian literature reflected and shaped the values, beliefs, and concerns of the era, serving as a mirror and critique of society
• Works exposed social injustices, advocated for reforms, and challenged traditional norms, contributing to social and political change
  • For example, Charles Dickens' novels raised awareness about poverty and the need for social reforms
• The emphasis on realism and psychological depth in Victorian literature influenced the development of modern literature
  • Later movements, such as modernism, built upon the foundations laid by Victorian writers
• Victorian literature's exploration of gender roles and women's experiences paved the way for the emergence of feminist literature in the 20th century
• The popularity of serialized novels and the growth of the publishing industry during the Victorian era set the stage for the mass production and consumption of literature
• Victorian literature's global reach, facilitated by the expansion of the British Empire, contributed to the spread of English as a global language and the dissemination of British culture

Critical Analysis and Interpretations

• Feminist criticism examines Victorian literature through the lens of gender, analyzing the representation of women and the ways in which works challenged or reinforced patriarchal norms
• Marxist criticism explores the portrayal of class relations, the effects of industrialization, and the critique of capitalist society in Victorian literature
• Postcolonial criticism investigates the representation of colonized peoples, the impact of imperialism, and the ways in which Victorian literature both supported and subverted colonial ideologies
• Psychoanalytic criticism applies the theories of Sigmund Freud and other psychoanalysts to interpret the psychological dimensions of characters and the unconscious desires and conflicts in Victorian works
• New Historicism considers Victorian literature in its historical and cultural context, examining how works both reflected and shaped the social, political, and intellectual currents of the time
• Ecocriticism focuses on the representation of nature and the environment in Victorian literature, exploring the relationship between humans and the natural world and the impact of industrialization on the landscape
• Queer theory examines the representation of non-normative sexualities and gender identities in Victorian literature, challenging heteronormative assumptions and highlighting the subversive potential of certain works