15.4 Major literary movements and genres of the period

Victorian literature saw major shifts in style and content. Realism became dominant, with authors depicting everyday life and social issues. Novels evolved, exploring themes like class, industrialization, and morality.

Poetry balanced tradition and innovation, with new forms like dramatic monologue emerging. Social problem novels exposed societal issues, while serialized fiction made literature more accessible and interactive for readers.

Victorian Realism in Literature

Characteristics and Themes

Top images from around the web for Characteristics and Themes

• 

  Chapter 10: Realism ~ The Eyes of Photography, Literature, and Painting – The Creative Spirit ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Social Theory and the Realist Impulse in Nineteenth-Century Art | nonsite.org View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Realism (arts) - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Chapter 10: Realism ~ The Eyes of Photography, Literature, and Painting – The Creative Spirit ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Social Theory and the Realist Impulse in Nineteenth-Century Art | nonsite.org View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

Top images from around the web for Characteristics and Themes

• 

  Chapter 10: Realism ~ The Eyes of Photography, Literature, and Painting – The Creative Spirit ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Social Theory and the Realist Impulse in Nineteenth-Century Art | nonsite.org View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Realism (arts) - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Chapter 10: Realism ~ The Eyes of Photography, Literature, and Painting – The Creative Spirit ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Social Theory and the Realist Impulse in Nineteenth-Century Art | nonsite.org View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

• Victorian realism emerged as a dominant literary style in the mid-19th century attempted to depict contemporary life and society as it truly was
• Movement emphasized detailed, accurate representations of everyday life often focused on the middle and working classes
• Victorian realist authors strived for objectivity in their narratives presented multiple perspectives and avoided overt moral judgments
• Psychological depth and complex character development became hallmarks of Victorian realist literature
• Social issues including class inequality, industrialization, and gender roles were frequently explored in realist works (North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell)
• Style favored precise, descriptive language and attention to detail in both setting and character portrayal

Narrative Techniques

• Victorian realism often employed an omniscient narrator and linear plot structures to create a sense of authenticity and reliability
• Authors used detailed descriptions of physical settings to ground stories in a realistic world (Dickens' portrayal of London)
• Dialogue was crafted to reflect natural speech patterns and regional dialects, enhancing the sense of realism
• Time was often treated chronologically, with events unfolding in a logical sequence to mirror real-life experiences
• Multiple plotlines and large casts of characters were used to create a comprehensive view of society (Middlemarch by George Eliot)

Victorian Novel Development

Evolution and Subgenres

• Victorian novel evolved from earlier forms such as the Gothic and Romantic novels incorporated elements of realism and social commentary
• Bildungsroman or coming-of-age novel became a popular subgenre traced the moral and psychological growth of a protagonist (Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë)
• Sensation novels emerged in the 1860s combined elements of Gothic romance with contemporary settings and themes of crime and scandal (The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins)
• Industrial novel or social problem novel addressed issues of labor, poverty, and social reform in the context of industrialization (Hard Times by Charles Dickens)
• Historical novels gained popularity often blended fact and fiction to explore past events and their relevance to contemporary society (Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott)

Structural and Thematic Developments

• Domestic novels focused on family life and the private sphere particularly examined women's roles and experiences (Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell)
• Development of the triple-decker novel format influenced the structure and pacing of Victorian narratives
• Psychological realism became more prominent authors delved deeper into characters' motivations and inner lives
• Narrative experimentation increased with some authors using multiple narrators or non-linear storytelling (Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë)
• Themes of social mobility and class aspiration became central to many Victorian novels reflected the era's changing social dynamics

Poetry in Victorian Literature

Poetic Forms and Innovations

• Victorian poetry characterized by tension between tradition and innovation often reflected the era's social and intellectual upheavals
• Dramatic monologue perfected by Robert Browning became a significant poetic form for exploring character psychology and moral ambiguity (My Last Duchess)
• Pre-Raphaelite movement in poetry led by figures like Christina Rossetti emphasized sensuality, medievalism, and vivid imagery (Goblin Market)
• Emergence of aestheticism and decadence in late Victorian poetry exemplified by Algernon Charles Swinburne challenged conventional morality and poetic forms

Major Poets and Themes

• Alfred, Lord Tennyson's works exemplified the Victorian preoccupation with duty, loss, and the conflict between faith and doubt (In Memoriam A.H.H.)
• Matthew Arnold's poetry engaged with the era's religious skepticism and the role of culture in an increasingly secular society (Dover Beach)
• Elizabeth Barrett Browning pioneered new forms of female expression in poetry addressed issues of gender and social justice (Aurora Leigh)
• Gerard Manley Hopkins developed sprung rhythm introduced innovative use of language and form in poetry (The Windhover)
• A.E. Housman's poetry explored themes of rural life, lost youth, and unrequited love (A Shropshire Lad)

Social Problem Novels

Characteristics and Themes

• Social problem novels also known as industrial or condition-of-England novels addressed pressing social issues of the Victorian era
• Novels often focused on the plight of the working class exposed harsh working conditions, poverty, and social inequality
• Works frequently employed a combination of realism and sentimentalism to evoke empathy and inspire social reform
• Genre challenged middle-class readers to confront uncomfortable truths about their society and their own complicity in social problems
• Social problem novels helped bridge the gap between classes provided insight into working-class life for middle and upper-class readers

Impact and Notable Authors

• Authors like Charles Dickens, Elizabeth Gaskell, and Benjamin Disraeli were instrumental in popularizing this genre
• These works often sparked public debate and contributed to legislative changes such as factory reforms and improvements in public health
• Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist highlighted issues of child labor and poverty in London
• Elizabeth Gaskell's Mary Barton addressed the struggles of factory workers in Manchester
• Benjamin Disraeli's Sybil explored the concept of "Two Nations" rich and poor in England
• Frances Trollope's Michael Armstrong, the Factory Boy brought attention to child labor in factories

Serialized Fiction in Victorian England

Publication Format and Accessibility

• Serialization became a dominant mode of publication for Victorian novels works appeared in monthly or weekly installments in periodicals
• Format allowed for wider accessibility of literature across social classes due to lower costs per installment
• Success of serialized fiction led to the rise of literary magazines and periodicals as important cultural institutions (Household Words, The Cornhill Magazine)
• Serialization impacted the writing process authors often composed installments while earlier parts were already in publication led to a more improvisational approach to storytelling

Impact on Narrative Structure and Reading Culture

• Serialization influenced narrative structure authors crafted cliffhangers and suspenseful plot developments to maintain reader interest
• Interactive nature of serialization allowed authors to respond to reader feedback and adjust their stories accordingly
• Serialized fiction fostered a sense of community among readers who would discuss and speculate about ongoing narratives
• Format encouraged longer novels and more complex plots as authors had to sustain interest over extended periods
• Charles Dickens' The Pickwick Papers exemplified the success and influence of serialized fiction
• Wilkie Collins' The Moonstone demonstrated how the serial format could enhance mystery and suspense in novels