Victorian Age, American Civil War, and Victorian Poetry and Novel

Victorian Age Overview

Scheda 1Victorian Age Queen Victoria's reign, spanning nearly 64 years from 1837 to 1901, was a period of significant transformation for Britain, marked by economic progress, scientific advancements, and social. Queen Victoria's long reign provided stability during a period of rapid change, earning her the status of a national icon associated with strict standards of personal morality Her reign ended with her death in 1901, marking the conclusion of an era that had profound effects on British society and the world at large.

Early Reign of Victoria

• Victoria ascended to the throne at 18
• She married Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha in 1840, with whom she had nine children
• Prince Albert became a crucial advisor to Victoria, earning the title of Prince Consort in 1857.

Political Developments in Victorian Britain

• The Victorian era saw a shift of political power away from the monarch towards a constitutional monarchy
• Several Reform Acts expanded voting rights, including the Second Reform Act of 1867.
• Victoria maintained influence through mediation between the Commons and Lords on contentious issues

Social and Economic Progress in the Victorian Era

• The era was characterized by industrial expansion, economic growth, and the expansion of the British Empire.
• Social reforms included the Factory Act of 1833 and the Poor Law Amendment Act of 1834.
• The Great Exhibition of 1851, organized by Prince Albert, showcased Britain's industrial and economic power

Technological Advancements of the Victorian Period

• The period saw significant developments in transport and communication.
• The London Underground, the world's first underground railway, began construction in 1860.
• Steel steamships expanded global trade and travel.

Victorian Foreign Policy

• Britain was involved in the Opium Wars with China and gained control of Hong Kong5.
• The Indian Mutiny of 1857 led to changes in Indian administration.
• The Crimean War (1853-56) was fought to limit Russian power.

Cultural and Social Aspects of the Victorian Age

• The Victorian Age was marked by complexity and contradictions, often referred to as the 'Victorian compromise .
• Religion, particularly Evangelicalism, played a significant role in public life andphilanthropy.
• 'Respectability' became an important concept, emphasizing self-restraint, good manners, and maintaining appearances.

The Late Victorian Age (1870s-1901)

The Late Victorian Age (roughly from the 1870s to 1901) was a period of significant political, social, and cultural changes in Britain. Key aspects of this era include:

Political Landscape of Late Victorian Britain

• The Liberal Party, led by William Gladstone, focused on reforms like education (e.g., 1870 Education Act), legalizing trade unions, and expanding voting rights (e.g., 1884 Third Reform Act).
• The Conservative Party, under Benjamin Disraeli, implemented social reforms (e.g., 1875 Artisans' and Labourers' Dwellings Act) and pursued a strong foreign policy, particularly in the Middle East and Africa.
• The Irish Parliamentary Party, led by Charles Stewart Parnell, demanded Home Rule for Ireland, which would not be granted until after WWI.

Social Reforms in the Late Victorian Era

• In urban Britain, cities were becoming more modern with better infrastructure (gas lighting, rubbish collection) and institutions (libraries, museums).
• Women's Rights: Women became more active in public life, with some gaining access to education and property rights (e.g., 1882 Married Women's Property Act).
• Social Movements: Social Darwinism emerged, advocating "survival of the fittest" in society, often used to justify class divisions.

Empire and Global Influence in Late Victorian Times

• The British Empire reached its height, controlling vast areas like India and parts of Africa. Queen Victoria became Empress of India in 1877.
• Colonialism and the "white man's burden" ideology justified imperial control, blending economic interests and a sense of duty to "civilize" non-European peoples.

Cultural and Intellectual Movements of the Late Victorian Age

• Intellectuals questioned the effects of industrialization, leading to movements like Socialism and Utopianism. Figures like Karl Marx, John Ruskin, and William Morris critiqued industrial society and promoted alternative models.
• The rise of Socialist groups like the Fabian Society and the Independent Labour Party sought reforms through peaceful means.
• Social Darwinism and Eugenics gained traction, advocating racial superiority and population control ..

The American Civil War

Economic and Social Differences (North vs. South)

• North: Industrialized, urban, and relied on immigrant labor; growing population.
• South: Agricultural, dependent on slavery for cotton and tobacco plantations; rigid class system with a small aristocracy.

Slavery Debate in America

• Abolitionists: Opposed slavery due to exploitation, separation of families, and lack of education.
• Pro-slavery: Argued slavery provided blacks with employment, protection, and Christian teachings.

The Civil War (1861-1865)

• Northern States: Led by Abraham Lincoln and the Republican Party, opposed the expansion of slavery.
• Southern States: Seceded to form the Confederate States of America under Jefferson Davis, leading to the Civil War.
• Outcome: Union victory, ending slavery (13th Amendment), but with significant loss of life (~625,000).
• Impact: A unified nation with a stronger national government, but lasting social and racial tensions.

Post-Civil War and Abolition of Slavery

• Freed Blacks: Faced economic insecurity and discrimination. Many either stayed in the South or migrated to the North.
• Ku Klux Klan: Terrorized freed blacks, and "black codes" enforced segregation.

New American Dream Post-Civil War

• Northern Economic Growth: Post-war industrial boom led to great wealth for individuals like Cornelius Vanderbilt and John Rockefeller, representing the "self-made man" myth.
• Labor Unions: Workers, exploited by factories, formed the American Federation of Labor (AFL) in 1866 to fight for their rights.

Westward Expansion in America

• Gold Rush: Sparked by the discovery of gold in California in 1848-49, leading to mass migration.
• Homestead Act (1862): Granted free land to settlers.
• Consequences: Disappearance of the frontier, destruction of buffalo herds, and the displacement and violence against Native Americans.
• Cultural Shift: Cowboys became iconic symbols of the American West.

In essence, the 19th century in America was marked by the stark contrast between the industrializing North and the agrarian, slave-dependent South, leading to a bloody Civil War, the end of slavery, and significant social, economic, and political changes.

Victorian Poetry

The late Victorian period saw poetry evolve, blending romanticism with the realities of modern life and scientific progress, while introducing more introspective and psychological forms like the dramatic monologue.

During Queen Victoria's reign, poetry took on two distinct directions, reflecting the intellectual and moral debates of the era:

• Majestic Poetry: This type of poetry focused on England's greatness, myth, and belief in its destiny, celebrating the nation's power and ideals.
• Anti-Myth Poetry: In contrast, this poetry challenged traditional beliefs, addressing the ethical dilemmas raised by advancements in science and progress.

The Role of the Poet in Victorian Society

The Role of the Poet: Poets were seen as prophets and philosophers, tasked with reconciling faith with modern progress. They were expected to find ways to romanticize the materialism of the modern world, often attempting to harmonize traditional social structures with the benefits of progress. Outstanding Poets:

• Alfred Tennyson: A leading poet of the age.
• Robert Browning: Known for his dramatic monologues, a unique form where characters reveal themselves through speech.
• Elizabeth Barrett Browning: Famous for her love sonnets.
• Gerard Manley Hopkins: Known for breaking conventional rhythm rules in his poetry.
• Matthew Arnold: Used poetry to express dissatisfaction with his era.

The Dramatic Monologue in Victorian Poetry

• A form of narrative poem where a character addresses one or more listeners, often revealing deep psychological insights. The character's crisis is central to the poem, and the reader must infer the role of the silent listener.
• This form diverged from the Victorian preference for certainty, allowing multiple perspectives and reflecting the complexities of the human mind, paving the way for Modernist poetry.

Victorian Novel

During the Victorian Age, novels became the dominant literary form, deeply reflecting social, moral, and intellectual concerns of the time. Key features of the period include:

Readers and Writers of Victorian Novels

Middle-Class Growth: The rise of the middle class contributed to a growing demand for literature. Writers, many of whom were from this class, engaged closely with their readers, who were avid consumers of literature through circulating libraries and periodicals.

The Publishing World of Victorian Novels

Serial Publications: Many works, including novels, were first published in serial form, allowing authors to stay in constant contact with their readers. The serialized format also gave writers the flexibility to alter their stories based on public reception.

Victorians' Interest in Prose and Realism

Realism and Social Themes: The novel became a realistic and analytical medium, reflecting social changes like the Industrial Revolution, struggles for democracy, and the growth of cities. Victorian novels were known for being critical and didactic, with a strong focus on addressing moral and social issues.

The Novel's Purpose in Victorian Society

• Social Responsibility: Novels were seen as a way to critique societal evils, like poor working conditions and child exploitation, though this critique was generally lessradical than that of contemporary European writers.
• Didacticism: Many Victorian novelists sought to correct the vices of society and promote moral behavior, with the omniscient narrator guiding readers through clear moral distinctions between right and wrong.

Narrative Techniques in Victorian Novels

Omniscient Narrator: The narrative often had a moral voice, explaining and justifying events and providing lessons for the reader.

Types of Victorian Novels

• Novel of Manners: Focused on social and economic issues, often centered on specific classes or situations.
• Humanitarian Novel: Prominent in Charles Dickens's works, combining humor with critiques of society and calls for reform.
• Bildungsroman: Novels of personal development, like Jane Eyre and David Copperfield, tracing characters' growth from youth to maturity.
• Literary Nonsense: Works like Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll challenged conventional narrative structures, creating absurd worlds where normal logic was suspended.

The Realistic Novel in the Victorian Era

• Influence of Darwin: The structure of the novel became more influenced by Darwin's theory of evolution, with plot developments often driven by chance and coincidences.
• Thomas Hardy and George Eliot: These authors are considered the best examples of the realistic novel, exploring psychological and moral complexity in a rapidly changing world.

The Psychological Novel in Victorian Literature

Robert Louis Stevenson's The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde: This novel explored the dual nature of individuals and Victorian society, highlighting the dark side of the aristocracy and the contrast between outward refinement and hidden evil.

Colonial Literature of the Victorian Age

Rudyard Kipling: A key figure in colonial literature, Kipling's works romanticized British imperialism, emphasizing the "white man's burden" and the duty of the British to civilize colonized peoples.

Women Writers in the Victorian Novel

Many novels were written by women, including the Bronte sisters, Elizabeth Gaskell, and George Eliot. While women were often constrained by societal expectations, many found success as writers, particularly as novel-buyers and readers were predominantly women.

In summary, the Victorian era saw novels evolve to reflect a more realistic, critical, and often didactic approach to society, addressing issues like industrialization,