British Literature 2015

INTRODUCTION TO THE VICTORIAN PERIOD (1832-1901)

Period Titled for Queen Victoria, who reigned from 1837-1901● Period marked by prosperity and peace for England● Sense of optimism and self-assurance for the privileged ● Saw need for improvements and tried to make them● Believed England was the best nation in the best era in

history● Growth of:

○ Middle and industrial classes○ manufacturing (world leader)○ More shops, banks etc

THE VICTORIAN PERIOD IN BRITAIN 1832-1901

THE VICTORIAN PERIOD IN BRITAIN 1832-1901

Three primary literary concerns:1. Woman Question

a. Separate spheresb. Work for women

i. Governess 2. Industrial Revolution:

a. railways i. industry expansion ii. colonization

b. Industrial printing press i. Increased literacy for ALLii. The periodical and serializationiii. Democratizing knowledge

c. Booming industry i. more textile, exports, and goodsii. the gap between the rich and poor is growing

3. Moral Puritya. What’s appropriate (again!)? Literature is didactic (moralizing)b. Questioning religion grows in popularity

•Father is boss

•Women and children subject to father’s authority

•Women who did not marry (surplus of women after mid-century)–Governesses

–Teachers

–Lived with parents or brother’s or sister’s family

Victorian Men and Women