Victorian Age
The Victorian Age in English literature, roughly 1837 to 1901, coincided with Queen
Victoria’s reign, a period of rapid industrialization, scientific advancements, and
significant social change in Britain. Literature from this era, led by the novel as the
dominant genre, reflected these shifts through a growing interest in realism, which
depicted everyday life, and social critique, addressing issues like poverty and class
inequality. Key themes included the tension between faith and science, the
complexities of progress, and the expansion of the British Empire. Prominent authors
like Charles Dickens, the Brontë sisters, and George Eliot explored these themes in
works that reached newly literate and diverse audiences thanks to cheaper printing and
increased literacy.
The Spirit of Victorian Age:
The Victorian age was characterized by a fundamental “crisis of faith” fueled by
scientific advancements, such as Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution, which
challenged traditional religious beliefs about creation and led to widespread
questioning of morality and nature’s divine ordering. This period saw a profound cultural
struggle, with some embracing scientific progress, others clinging to faith, and many
attempting to reconcile the two, ultimately impacting literature and the understanding
of human nature.
Science vs. Morality: The Crisis of Faith
Challenging Religious Doctrine:
Scientific discoveries, particularly Darwin’s On the Origin of Species (1859), directly
contradicted biblical accounts of creation, leading to profound doubts about
established religious truths and a resulting “crisis of faith”.
Morality and the Divine:
Many Victorians believed that religion was the essential framework for morality, with the
Bible as the ultimate guide. The erosion of faith thus triggered fears of moral decay and
societal collapse.
The Rise of Utilitarianism:
Philosophical movements like utilitarianism offered an alternative ethical framework,
focusing on actions that promoted the “greatest happiness for the greatest number,”
and appealing to a society concerned with social reform.
Science vs. Nature: A Reordering of Reality
Geological Discoveries:
Early geological discoveries challenged the traditional belief that the Earth was only a
few thousand years old, as suggested by the Bible.
A Deeper, Older World:
Darwin’s evolutionary theory revealed a vast, dynamic, and indifferent natural world, a
stark contrast to the divinely created, static world previously understood.
Nature’s Moral Ambiguity:
The idea of “survival of the fittest” introduced a brutal, amoral aspect to nature,
unsettling Victorian sensibilities that saw the natural world as inherently benevolent or
God’s creation.
The Victorian novel flourishing during Queen Victoria’s reign (1837–1901), became the
dominant literary genre in English, characterized by realism, social commentary, and a
moral purpose reflecting the era’s complex transformations in science, class, and
industry. Key authors like Charles Dickens, George Eliot, and the Brontë sisters explored
societal issues, from industrialization and class conflict to the evolving roles of women,
often featuring complex characters and expansive, serialized plots.
Historical Context
Reign of Queen Victoria:
The era is defined by Queen Victoria’s reign (1837-1901), a period of significant societal,
technological, and economic changes.
Rise of the Middle Class:
The growing middle class was a major audience for the novel, which reflected their
interests and values, often through the popularity of circulating libraries and serialized
publications.
Some of the famous Victorian novels are:
Famous Victorian novels include Charles Dickens’s Great Expectations and Oliver
Twist, the Brontë sisters’ Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights, George Eliot’s Middlemarch,
and Elizabeth Gaskell’s North and South. Other notable works are Wilkie Collins’s The
Woman in White, Thackeray’s Vanity Fair, and Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the d’Urbervilles.
Here is a list of some famous Victorian novels and their authors:
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
Middlemarch by George Eliot (Mary Ann Evans)
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins
Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray
Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens
Bleak House by Charles Dickens
North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell
Adam Bede by George Eliot
Victorian Poetry
Victorian poetry, flourishing during Queen Victoria’s reign (1837–1901), transitioned
from Romanticism by exploring industrialization, social issues, faith, and morality, with
the dramatic monologue gaining prominence. Key themes include the conflict between
science and faith, domestic life, and the human experience amidst rapid societal
change. Poets like Tennyson, Browning, and Arnold experimented with form and style,
addressing moral and spiritual questions, while the era saw a rise in female poets and a
public appreciation for verse.
Prominent Poets
Alfred, Lord Tennyson:
The poet laureate, known for his lush lyrical style and experimentation with forms like
the dramatic monologue.
Robert Browning:
A master of the dramatic monologue, creating complex fictional characters.
Elizabeth Barrett Browning:
One of the significant female poets who rose to prominence during this era.
Matthew Arnold:
A prominent voice known for his contemplative poems that often questioned traditional
beliefs.
Victorian Prose:
Victorian prose includes diverse works like Charles Dickens’s novels (e.g., Oliver Twist),
George Eliot’s Middlemarch, the Brontës’ Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre, Thomas
Hardy’s Tess of the d’Urbervilles, and philosophical essays by John Stuart Mill. The era
was characterized by prose fiction, essays, and historical writings that explored social
issues, industrialization, and morality.
Novels
Victorian-era novels, a dominant form of prose, explored themes like social inequality,
industrialization, and moral dilemmas.
Charles Dickens:
His works, such as Oliver Twist and A Tale of Two Cities, are known for their rich
emotional depth and social commentary.
The Brontë Sisters:
Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights and Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre are classic examples
of Victorian novels, using multiple narrators and symbolism to explore complex
characters and settings.
George Eliot (Mary Ann Evans):
Famous for Middlemarch and Adam Bede, her work featured intricate portrayals of rural
life and intellectual depth.
Thomas Hardy:
Known for works like Tess of the d’Urbervilles, his prose offered a cynical yet idyllic look
at rural life and critiqued the effects of urbanization.
Other Notable Novelists:
Wilkie Collins (The Dead Secret), Elizabeth Gaskell (North and South), Anthony Trollope
(The Warden), and George Meredith were significant contributors to the Victorian novel.
Seeds of British Colonialism in Asia and Africa during
Victorian Era:
During the Victorian Era, the “seeds” of British colonialism in Asia and Africa were sown
by a combination of economic, political, and social factors, including the pursuit of raw
materials and captive markets for the booming industrial economy, the desire for
national prestige and power, and the motivation to spread Christianity. These drives
were amplified by technological advancements and a growing sense of racial
superiority, leading to territorial expansion, the establishment of colonies, and the
subjugation of indigenous populations for resources and influence.
Economic Factors
Industrial Revolution:
Britain’s industrializing economy demanded vast quantities of raw materials (like gold
and cash crops) and new markets for its manufactured goods.
Resources and Labor:
African and Asian continents were seen as reservoirs of these essential resources and
labor to fuel Britain’s industrial growth.
Political and Military Factors
National Prestige and Power:
Acquiring colonies was a way to assert national dominance and prestige on the world
stage.
Strategic Control:
Britain aimed to secure trade routes and prevent rival European powers from gaining
influence in strategic regions, particularly in Africa.
Military Superiority:
Britain’s naval power and industrial capabilities allowed it to project force and establish
control over territories in Asia and Africa.
Social and Ideological Factors
White Man’s Burden:
A belief in racial superiority and a sense of duty to civilize or ‘bring progress’ to other
cultures (often referred to as the “White Man’s Burden”) provided a justification for
colonial rule.
Christian Missionaries:
Missionaries played a role, often accompanying or preceding colonial expeditions, with
the goal of converting local populations to Christianity.
Geographical Context
East Africa:
While British activities in West Africa had been limited for a long time, the East African
coast saw significant growth in Arab slave trading, which the British eventually sought to
suppress.
Asia:
The expansion in Asia was driven by similar economic and political motives, with Britain
eventually establishing vast colonial holdings across the subcontinent and beyond.
In summary, the Victorian Era saw a convergence of economic imperatives, imperial
ambition, and evolving ideologies that fostered the groundwork for a vastly expanded
British Empire, laying the foundation for intensified colonial rule in the decades that
followed.
Key Characteristics of Victorian Era:
Realism:
Victorian novels aimed to mirror the world, portraying realistic scenes and life-like,
complex characters.
Social Commentary and Moral Purpose:
Writers often used their work to address social problems like poverty, industrialization,
and class divisions, with a focus on moral lessons and social critique, though typically
not questioning the foundations of society.
Key Characteristics & Influences
Industrial Revolution and Urbanization:
The shift from a rural to an urban, industrial society created new social conditions,
problems, and a greater focus on economic disparities, which writers like Charles
Dickens highlighted.
Scientific and Intellectual Changes:
Darwin’s theory of evolution challenged religious beliefs, leading to a literary exploration
of themes like skepticism, faith, and human nature.
Rise of Realism:
Unlike the Romantic era’s idealism, Victorian literature aimed to portray the world as it
was, focusing on detailed, authentic depictions of society and individual lives.
Social Reform and Class:
Writers engaged with social justice issues, with social problem novels exposing the
suffering of the working class and the need for reform.
Expansion of the British Empire:
Literature reflected both the pride and the ethical complexities of imperialism, exploring
cultural encounters and power dynamics.
Industrialization in Victorian Age:
Industrialization significantly impacted Victorian literature by inspiring social critique of
poverty, child labor, and poor working conditions, as well as romantic optimism
regarding progress. The Victorian novel, using realist techniques, flourished as a genre
for addressing these diverse issues, influenced by increased literacy and cheaper
printing. Writers like Charles Dickens, the Brontë sisters, and George Eliot explored
themes of urbanization, inequality, and the tension between science and religion,
reflecting the era’s turbulent transformation from a rural to an industrial society.
Social Context and Literary Themes
Poverty and Inequality:
Rapid industrialization led to widespread poverty, overcrowding, and exploitation of the
working class. Literature responded by highlighting these harsh conditions and
criticizing the materialism and inequality inherent in capitalist industrial society.
Urbanization and Social Change:
The shift from a rural to an urbanized society brought new social classes and
challenges. Authors depicted urban life, often contrasting the thriving middle and upper
classes with the impoverished working class.
Scientific Progress vs. Religious Faith:
New scientific discoveries challenged traditional Christian beliefs. Literature reflected
this tension, with authors exploring spiritual unrest and grappling with materialism and
evolving ideas of faith and reason.
Literary Genres & Styles
The Novel:
Became the most popular genre due to increased literacy and cheaper production
methods, allowing for detailed narratives and diverse characters.
Serialization:
Many novels were published in installments, creating suspense and fostering sustained
reader engagement.
Gothic Fiction and the Sensation Novel:
These popular genres, which explored themes of death, spirituality, and the macabre,
emerged due to fascination with the unknown and increased literacy.
Poetry:
Poets like Alfred Tennyson and Matthew Arnold explored themes of faith, doubt, and the
spiritual impact of industrialization.
Major Authors & Works
Charles Dickens:
Known for his social novels, such as Oliver Twist and Great Expectations, which often
featured heroic characters in difficult circumstances.
The Brontë Sisters:
Authors like Charlotte and Emily produced iconic works such as Jane Eyre and
Wuthering Heights.
George Eliot:
A female author who used a pseudonym, she explored psychological depth and social
issues in novels like Middlemarch.
Thomas Hardy:
His novels often depicted the struggles of rural life and grappled with questions of fate
and human suffering.
Poets:
Key figures include Alfred Tennyson, Robert Browning, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, and
Gerard Manley Hopkins.
Conclusion:
The Victorian era formally concluded with the death of Queen Victoria on
January 22, 1901, ending her 63-year reign in the United Kingdom. This
period is defined by technological innovation, industrial growth, and the
significant expansion of the British Empire, but also saw increased social
inequality and colonial conflicts.
