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The Victorian Period

The Victorian Period. 1833-1901. Historical Background: Progress and Decline. Queen Victoria (1837-1901) Set out to restore monarchy’s reputation (previous Kings during Romantic Period) George III—declared insane George IV—extravagant, obese, ugly & public marital quarrel

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The Victorian Period

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  1. The Victorian Period 1833-1901

  2. Historical Background: Progress and Decline • Queen Victoria (1837-1901) • Set out to restore monarchy’s reputation (previous Kings during Romantic Period) • George III—declared insane • George IV—extravagant, obese, ugly & public marital quarrel • William—10 illegitimate children • Respectability became an important concept

  3. Historical Background: Progress and Decline • Progress • Empire expanded to control 40% of Earth • Included Ireland, islands in Caribbean, New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong, India • Decline • 1845 potato crop failed in Ireland Britain did nothing to ease poverty

  4. What is the relationship between place and literature? • Key terms: Empire, conquest • Issues surrounding the growth of the Empire • Restless Spirit • Vast empire means people seek adventure outside known areas • Tennyson— “Ulysses” • Captures the spirit of exploration and conquest that produces a map of the empire • to accept a limit was a grave sin • Bronte– Jane Eyre • Protagonist rejects a predictable man who lives in the British Empire & falls for an adventurous man with secrets

  5. How does literature shape or reflect society? A Tale of Two Cities~~Charles Dickens • “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way…”

  6. How does literature shape or reflect society?Key Terms: Paradox & Controversy • Many inventions made life easier • Optimistic spirit despite revolutions & war • 2 million people starved in potato famine • Use of concentration camps “Best of Times” “Worst of Times”

  7. How does literature shape or reflect society?Key Terms: Paradox & Controversy • Experiments in electricity • Sterile surgery • Encouragement to enrich one’s mind • Creative • “Jabberwocky” • Alice I Wonderland • Unhealthy • Use of Thames river for sewage leading to typhoid breakout “Age of wisdom” “Age of foolishness”

  8. How does literature shape or reflect society?Key Terms: Paradox & Controversy • Crystal Palace • Children revered as little angels • Elizabeth Barrett Browning • Sonnet 43 • Hopkins • “God’s Grandeur” • slums & contaminated water • Matthew Arnold • Dover Beach • Emily Bronte • “Remembrance” “spring of hope” “winter of despair”

  9. What is the relationship of the writer to tradition? • Repurpose traditional forms/subjects • Elegy—solemn formal lyric poem about death • Mourns person or reflects tragic theme • Epic • Sonnet

  10. What is the relationship of the writer to tradition? • Invent and perfect • Dramatic monologue • Speaker reveals more about him/herself than he/she realizes • Novel • Common theme: education-hero/heroine learning how to secure proper place in society • Note of melancholy • Sought to remind people empires crumble, individuals are fragile and vulnerable, death awaits us all

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