TEMA 50
LA NOVELA VICTORIANA
1. INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................ 1
2. THE VICTORIAN NOVEL................................................................................................ 1
3. NOVELISTS......................................................................................................................... 1
3.1 Charles Dickens (1812-1870).........................................................................................1
3.2 The Brontë sisters: Charlotte (1816-1855) and Emily (1818-1848).............................. 2
3.3 William Thackeray (1811-1863).................................................................................... 3
3.4 Elizabeth Gaskell (1810-1865).......................................................................................3
3.5 Anthony Trollope (1815-1882)...................................................................................... 3
3.6 George Eliot (1819-1880).............................................................................................. 3
3.7 Thomas Hardy (1840-1928)........................................................................................... 4
4. TEACHING IMPLICATIONS........................................................................................... 4
5. CONCLUSION.....................................................................................................................4
6. BIBLIOGRAPHY................................................................................................................ 4
1. INTRODUCTION
The Victorian novel is a crucial part of literary history, reflecting the 19th-century social,
political, and cultural changes. The novel became the dominant form, bridging Romanticism
and Modernism. Through complex characters and social commentary, these novels offer
valuable insights into human experiences and how literature mirrors society.
This unit will examine the development and themes of the Victorian novel, focusing on
different authors. We will explore how they addressed issues like poverty, class, and gender,
and consider their lasting impact on modern culture and communication.
Studying the Victorian novel reveals its literary and cultural significance. By exploring how
authors addressed themes like industrialization and inequality, we gain a deeper
understanding of human nature and improve our ability to engage with diverse perspectives.
2. THE VICTORIAN NOVEL
Victorian literature reflects an era of profound change, marked by advancements in material
comforts, science, and intellectual thought. The 19th-century novel became the dominant
literary form. These novels were often long and plot-driven, they featured settings that
mirrored characters’ personalities and moods. While focusing on upper-middle-class
Englishmen, they also explored diverse perspectives, including those of women, workers, and
characters shaped by colonial experiences.
Victorian novels addressed themes like the emerging middle class and its values, contrasting
with the aristocratic focus of earlier periods. They were rich in allusions to literature, art,
music, mythology, and contemporary events.
3. NOVELISTS
3.1 Charles Dickens (1812-1870)
Charles Dickens experienced both privilege and hardship. He left school at 15, worked as a
law clerk, and became a parliamentary reporter before publishing Sketches by Boz in 1836
and gaining fame with The Pickwick Papers.
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Dickens’ works often critique social injustices and advocate for humanitarian reforms. He
highlighted the suffering of the poor, as in Hard Times (1854), which depicts
industrialization's impact on workers. Known for humor and realistic settings, his novels
resonate with readers through their depictions of societal challenges.
Dickens’ works include:
Autobiographical Novels: David Copperfield (1850) explores discipline and maturity
through its optimistic protagonist, while Great Expectations (1861) follows growth and
self-awareness after meeting an escaped convict.
Historical Novels: Barnaby Rudge (1841) and A Tale of Two Cities (1859) depict events
leading to the French Revolution.
Social Novels: Oliver Twist (1837) critiques child labor and hypocrisy, while A Christmas
Carol (1843) defends moral values against greed.
State-of-the-Nation Novel: Hard Times (1854) critiques industrial society’s dehumanizing
utilitarianism, contrasting oppressive systems with the freedom and creativity of circus
performers.
3.2 The Brontë sisters: Charlotte (1816-1855) and Emily (1818-1848)
Charlotte Brontë, born in 1816, educated primarily at home, she later attended the Clergy
Daughter’s School and studied languages and school management in Brussels with her sister
Emily. Brontë’s literary career began with Jane Eyre (1847), published under the pseudonym
Currer Bell, which criticized society’s treatment of impoverished women and became an
immediate success. Her other notable works include Shirley (1848) and Villette (1853).
Emily Brontë was born in 1818. Known for her only novel, Wuthering Heights (1847), she
explored themes of passion and hatred set on the Yorkshire moors. Her poetry, discovered by
Charlotte in 1845, was also significant. Wuthering Heights was initially met with criticism for
its savage tone and structure, but over time, it became regarded as one of the greatest novels
in English literature.
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3.3 William Thackeray (1811-1863)
William Thackeray, born in 1811 was educated in England and initially studied law and
painting before turning to writing. He became a prolific writer for periodicals and gained
fame with Vanity Fair (1847-48), featuring the immoral character Becky Sharp. His later
works include Henry Esmond (1852) and Pendennis (1848–50). Thackeray was regarded as
Charles Dickens' main rival for his detailed portrayal of contemporary life.
3.4 Elizabeth Gaskell (1810-1865)
Mrs. Gaskell, born in 1810 in Chelsea, England, began writing later in life. Her most popular
work, Cranford (1853), and her unfinished Wives and Daughters (1864–66), focus on village
life. Her novels Mary Barton (1848), Ruth (1853), and North and South (1855) explore social
issues faced by the urban working class. In 1857, she wrote the first biography of her friend
Charlotte Brontë.
3.5 Anthony Trollope (1815-1882)
Anthony Trollope, born in 1815 in London, began his career as a junior clerk in the General
Post Office before moving to Ireland, where he developed a more social lifestyle. His
best-known works include the Barsetshire series, such as The Warden (1855) and Barchester
Towers (1857), which explore Victorian society and its social structures.
Trollope’s later works, like The Eustace Diamonds (1873) and The Way We Live Now (1875),
became more satirical, critiquing materialism and social corruption. Throughout his career, he
displayed a keen understanding of social dynamics and human nature.
3.6 George Eliot (1819-1880)
George Eliot, born in 1819, was a renowned English novelist and essayist. Known for her
intellectual depth, Mary Ann Evans wrote under the pen name George Eliot and authored
masterpieces like Middlemarch (1871-72) and Adam Bede (1859). Her novels explore human
nature and society with psychological insight.
After the death of her partner Eliot became more reclusive. Eliot is remembered as one of the
most important novelists of the Victorian era.
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3.7 Thomas Hardy (1840-1928)
Thomas Hardy, born in 1840 was a novelist and poet. Initially focused on poetry, Hardy
shifted to prose, gaining fame with his novel Far from the Madding Crowd (1874), which
introduced Wessex and its agricultural settings. His subsequent works, including The Return
of the Native (1878) and The Mayor of Casterbridge (1886), solidified his literary reputation.
Hardy's later works, such as Tess of the d'Urbervilles (1891) and Jude the Obscure (1895),
challenged societal norms and anticipated 20th-century themes, especially regarding class
and sexual mores.
4. TEACHING IMPLICATIONS
5. CONCLUSION
In summary, the Victorian novel offers valuable insights into the social issues of its time, with
authors like Dickens or The Brontë sisters using their works to critique society. These novels
continue to shape literature and culture, emphasizing the importance of social awareness and
narrative complexity.
Future research could explore the impact of Victorian novels on modern education and
communication, particularly in how they continue to inform discussions of social justice,
cultural dynamics, and literary study.
Therefore, this topic is of great importance in the curriculum. Since a language cannot be
separated from its speakers, it is through the acquisition of cultural aspects that our students
will be able to understand and communicate in English, achieving a proper accuracy in
English.
6. BIBLIOGRAPHY
