The Victorian Age 1830s1900 The Victorian Period Named

The Victorian Age 1830’s--1900

The Victorian Period • Named for Queen Victoria – Reigned exceptionally long time – Symbol of stability and domestic values • Period of extreme growth and prosperity – Empire expands to control ¼ of earth – London becomes economic capitol of world – No major wars or recessions

Beginning of Modern Economy • Technology of commerce develops – Railroads – Steamships --Mass Production --Electric power • International trade escalates – Exotic goods become common • Coffee, tea, sugar, bananas – English companies become major importers/exporters

Beginning of Modern Economy • Rise of the middle class – Bankers, merchants, etc. – People with education, disposable income – Make up majority of consumers • Become backbone of English society and economy

English Become Conservative • Believed England=most perfect society – Peak of human civilization – Has right and duty to rule the world • Social codes become very strict – Every person has a clearly defined role – Society depends on each person sticking to his/her role

Society Becomes More Secular • Still predominantly Christian • Start to see nation, rather than religion, as the source of identity and morality • Science and rational thought are the keys to society – Social Darwinism – Utilitarianism

Dark Side of English Prosperity • Unregulated industry exploits workers – Low pay – Long days – Inappropriate conditions • Rapid growth of underclass, especially in cities – Major urban problems:

Dark Side of English Prosperity • Problems spill over into mainstream life – Epidemics – crime • Middle and upper classes become obsessed with the problems – What about English superiority? – Solutions within the system – The poor deserve what they are getting

Children were treated as small adults. There was no value placed upon play time or just being a kid. London was dirty and overcrowded, and technology did not keep pace with population growth.

Victorian Poetry • Heavily influenced by Romantics – Both periods saw poetry as a form of social consience – Both saw poets as social leaders – Victorians more moderate than Romantics • Romantics wanted complete social revolution • Victorians wanted changes within the system

Thematic Characteristics • Not autobiographical • Focus on fables, myths, historical characters • Make indirect comments about society • Talk about universal problems • Up to the reader to apply to life

Formal Characteristics • Interested in poetic form and grammar – Poetry should have refined language • Emphasis on external imagery – Not the narrator’s inner thoughts

Dominant Form-Dramatic Monologue • • Narrator is a character Set in a specific time and place Speaking to a specific person/group Speech leads reader to a conclusion about the narrator • Perfect example: “Ulysses” by Alfred, Lord Tennyson