The Victorian Period

Objectives Understand how the historical events of the time, both good and bad, change the literature Understand how the historical events of the time, both good and bad, change the literature Understand how the values of the period are portrayed in the literature and understand the effect these values had on the literature Understand how the values of the period are portrayed in the literature and understand the effect these values had on the literature Understand how the novel develops as a genre in this time period Understand how the novel develops as a genre in this time period

Greatest time of the Empire Queen Victoria ruled as queen of England/Ireland Queen Victoria ruled as queen of England/Ireland English colonies in Australia, Africa and Asia English colonies in Australia, Africa and Asia Time of reform Time of reform

The Hungry Forties Victoria’s reign begins with a depression Victoria’s reign begins with a depression Children working 12 hour days, falling asleep and being maimed or killed at machines Children working 12 hour days, falling asleep and being maimed or killed at machines Destruction of potato crop leads to famine in Ireland which leads to 25% of the population leaving the country Destruction of potato crop leads to famine in Ireland which leads to 25% of the population leaving the country Increased population in British cities leads to overcrowding, poor work conditions and disease Increased population in British cities leads to overcrowding, poor work conditions and disease

Reform and Improvement Time of peace in the empire Time of peace in the empire City planning leads to safer, cleaner streets City planning leads to safer, cleaner streets More colonies means more imports improving diets, education and commerce More colonies means more imports improving diets, education and commerce Factory acts limit child labor and reduce the work days to 10 hours Factory acts limit child labor and reduce the work days to 10 hours

Victorian values Sex, birth and death were spoken of in euphemisms Sex, birth and death were spoken of in euphemisms Women were subject to male authority Women were subject to male authority Women were expected to marry and make a home Women were expected to marry and make a home Few opportunities were available to unmarried women Few opportunities were available to unmarried women

Novelist of the Day Mary Shelley – Frankenstein Mary Shelley – Frankenstein Jane Austen – Pride and Prejudice Jane Austen – Pride and Prejudice Charlotte Bronte – Jane Eyre Charlotte Bronte – Jane Eyre Thomas Hardy – Tess of the D'Urbervilles Thomas Hardy – Tess of the D'Urbervilles Emily Bronte – Wuthering Heights Emily Bronte – Wuthering Heights Charles Dickens – Tale of Two Cities Charles Dickens – Tale of Two Cities

Robert Louis Stevenson ( ) Born in Scotland Born into family of lighthouse engineers (father’s side) Inherited a tendency for coughs and fevers from mother and her side of the family Dictated stories to his mother as a child, and had his first publication printed at age 16 (paid for by his father, who was proud of his son’s writing ability) Decided to stray from father’s plans for him to work in the family business, and he rejected Christianity as well—his newfound ideas caused dissension with his family

Stevenson cont. Traveled a great deal Traveled a great deal Married a divorcee who had children—met her in France and traveled to California to marry her; they later returned to Britain (1880 ) Married a divorcee who had children—met her in France and traveled to California to marry her; they later returned to Britain (1880 ) Moved back to America in 1888 in attempt to preserve health but then bought property in Samoan Islands Moved back to America in 1888 in attempt to preserve health but then bought property in Samoan Islands Died at his property in Samoas in 1894 after collapsing beside his wife Died at his property in Samoas in 1894 after collapsing beside his wife Tombstone reads: Tombstone reads: Under the wide and starry sky, Dig the grave and let me lie. Glad did I live and gladly die, And I laid me down with a will. This be the verse you grave for me: Here he lies where he longed to be; Home is the sailor, home from sea, And the hunter home from the hill. Under the wide and starry sky, Dig the grave and let me lie. Glad did I live and gladly die, And I laid me down with a will. This be the verse you grave for me: Here he lies where he longed to be; Home is the sailor, home from sea, And the hunter home from the hill.

FYI The idea for Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde came to RLS as a dream. The idea for Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde came to RLS as a dream. He wrote the first version of the book in three days and then burned it due to criticism from his wife. He wrote the second version in three days as well. It became an overnight success and was published in The book was written when Stevenson lived in England. He wrote the first version of the book in three days and then burned it due to criticism from his wife. He wrote the second version in three days as well. It became an overnight success and was published in The book was written when Stevenson lived in England. Stevenson intended Jekyll to be pronounced “Jeekyll” because “Hyde and Jeekyl” sounds like “hide and seek”. Stevenson intended Jekyll to be pronounced “Jeekyll” because “Hyde and Jeekyl” sounds like “hide and seek”. The play version of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde came out the same time Jack the Ripper was committing horrible crimes in London. The play version of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde came out the same time Jack the Ripper was committing horrible crimes in London. Numerous movie versions of the story have been produced along with a Broadway musical. Numerous movie versions of the story have been produced along with a Broadway musical.

Jekyll and Hyde Themes: Dual Nature or Split Personality Dual Nature or Split Personality Reason Versus the Supernatural Reason Versus the Supernatural Limits of Scientific Experimentation Limits of Scientific Experimentation The Effects of Society on the Individual The Effects of Society on the Individual LIST OF CHARACTERS Mr. Utterson, lawyer and friend to Dr. Jekyll Mr. Utterson, lawyer and friend to Dr. Jekyll Mr. Richard Enfield, a distant cousin to Mr. Utterson Mr. Richard Enfield, a distant cousin to Mr. Utterson Dr. Henry Jekyll, doctor Dr. Henry Jekyll, doctor Edward Hyde, heir to Jekyll’s fortune in the event of his “disappearance or unexplained absence for any period exceeding three calendar months” Edward Hyde, heir to Jekyll’s fortune in the event of his “disappearance or unexplained absence for any period exceeding three calendar months” Dr. Lanyon, friend to both Utterson and Dr. Jekyll Dr. Lanyon, friend to both Utterson and Dr. Jekyll Poole, Butler to Dr. Jekyll Poole, Butler to Dr. Jekyll

Answer the following questions with your notes for the Victorian Period. What, in your opinion, was the worst part of the Victorian era? Try to think outside the box. What, in your opinion, was the worst part of the Victorian era? Try to think outside the box. Based on what you know of the Victorian Period, what can you infer the writing will be about? What will the overall tone of the writing be? DON’T use the words good or bad in your answer. Based on what you know of the Victorian Period, what can you infer the writing will be about? What will the overall tone of the writing be? DON’T use the words good or bad in your answer. What do you think would be the reaction of a Victorian lady or gentleman to your generation? Be specific What do you think would be the reaction of a Victorian lady or gentleman to your generation? Be specific Write down your novel. Go to the internet tonight and be able to tell the class 5 facts about your novel tomorrow. Write down your novel. Go to the internet tonight and be able to tell the class 5 facts about your novel tomorrow.