THE VICTORIAN AGE
(1850-1900)
HISTORICAL SUMMARY
1. Democracy finally settled.
2. Age of popular education, religious tolerance and
social unrest.
3. Comparative peace.
4. Rapid progress in arts, sciences and mechanical
inventions.
LITERARY CHARACTERISTICS
• Number of readers
increased.
PROSE • Newspaper, magazine,
modern novel.
• Not purely artistic.
MORAL • Truth to uplift humanity.
PURPOSE • Realism rather than
romance.
THE NOVELISTS
THE BRONTË SISTERS
Anne, Emily and Charlotte.
Forced to become
governesses.
Published under masculine
pseudonyms.
CHARLOTTE BRONTË (1816 –
1854)
“Jane Eyre” (1847)
Denunciation of boarding
schools.
“Do you think I am an automaton? — a machine without
feelings? and can bear to have my morsel of bread
snatched from my lips, and my drop of living water
dashed from my cup? Do you think, because I am poor,
obscure, plain, and little, I am soulless and heartless? You
think wrong! — I have as much soul as you — and full as
much heart! And if God had gifted me with some beauty
and much wealth, I should have made it as hard for you
to leave me, as it is now for me to leave you. I am not
talking to you now through the medium of custom,
conventionalities, nor even of mortal flesh: it is my spirit
that addresses your spirit; just as if both had passed
through the grave, and we stood at God's feet, equal —
as we are!”
EMILY BRONTË (1818 – 1848)
“Wuthering Heights”
(1847)
Controversy because of
depiction of mental and
physical cruelty.
“He entered, vociferating oaths dreadful to hear; (…)
'There, I've found it out at last!' cried Hindley, pulling me back by the
skin of my neck, like a dog. (…) I shall make you swallow the carving-
knife, Nelly! (…)
'But I don't like the carving-knife, Mr. Hindley,' I answered; 'it has been
cutting red herrings. I'd rather be shot, if you please.‘
'You'd rather be damned!' he said; 'and so you shall. No law in England
can hinder a man from keeping his house decent, and mine's
abominable! Open your mouth.' He held the knife in his hand, and
pushed its point between my teeth: but, for my part, I was never much
afraid of his vagaries. I spat out, and affirmed it tasted detestably - I
would not take it on any account.”
Why did you betray your own heart Cathy? I have not one
word of comfort. You deserve this. You have killed yourself.
… You loved me – then what right had you to leave me?
Because … nothing God or Satan could inflict would have
parted us, you, of your own will, did it.
I have not broken your heart – you have broken it; and in
breaking it, you have broken mine. So much the worse for me
that I am strong. Do I want to live? What kind of living will it be
when you – oh God! would you like to live with your soul in
the grave? […] I forgive what you have done to me. I love my
murderer – but yours! How can I?
CHARLES DICKENS (1812 – 1870)
Poor and suffering child.
Worked in blacking
factory.
Worked as a reporter.
WORKS BY CHARLES DICKENS
The Pickwick Papers 1836
Oliver Twist 1837
Nicholas Nickleby 1838
The Old Curiosity Shop 1840
David Copperfield 1849
Bleak House 1852
A Tale of Two Cities 1859
Great Expectations 1860
The Mystery of Edwin Drood 1870
LITERATY CHARACTERISTICS
1. Literature close to daily life.
2. Tendency strongly ethical.
3. Influence of science over truth and imagination.
4. Materialism.
Plots
Who is the main character?
What are his origins?
What kind of difficulties does he face?
Who helps him?
How does the story end?
