1. The Victorian Era

2. Overview 1837 – 1901 Heavily influenced by the Industrial Revolution Period of prosperity, industrialization, colonization, and reform. Artistic styles, literary schools, as well as, social, political and religious movements flourished. Queen Victoria, for whom the era is named

3. Social Conditions

4. Poverty Population increased due to the Industrial Revolution Wages were low because of the number of people looking for jobs Housing was scarce and expensive, resulting in overcrowding London was especially effected, developing slums

5. Poverty Being poor was a crime! Going bankrupt led one to debtor’s prison Family had to pay off the debt before the person was released In London, poverty was especially rampant in the East End

6. Child Labor Many young children worked in factories and coal mines, as chimney sweeps, and even as prostitutes Many lower class children did not attend school Others were servants or sold goods on the street Children of lower class had to help support the family

7. Colonization and Expansion “The sun never sets on the British empire” England acquired Hong Kong, India, and many colonies in Africa The British Empire was its most powerful and influential This led to great economic development and political power on the world stage. Also led to questions of national identity (i.e. What makes someone British?)

8. Victorian Thought Belief in humanity’s ability to better itself Conflicted thoughts about industrialization  Material benefits enjoyed  Slums and brutality of factory life deplored Questions about the role/scope of government develop: socialism is born in Europe Charles Darwin – The Origin of Species sparks a bitter controversy  Some believe religion  Some believe Darwin  Some try to reconcile the two

9. Victorian Reforms

10. The Reform Acts 1832: extended the right to vote to any man owning a household worth £10 (adding 217,000 voters)  Considered the social start of the Victorian Era 1867: extended the right to vote further down the class ladder, adding just short of a million voters, including many workingmen 1884: most agricultural laborers get the vote

11. Victorian Literature

12. Romanticism Romantic literature remains popular becomes part of the mainstream culture Some Victorian writers keep writing in this style

13. Naturalism Use scientific observation in literature Authors filled their work with graphic details Often were aimed at social reform Rejects Romantic ideas Portrays nature as harsh and indifferent to the human suffering it causes Very popular in the early and mid Victorian era

14. Realism Realism focuses on ordinary people facing the day-to-day problems of life These movements reflect an interest in the individual and the growing middle-class audience. Often provide sympathy for the common people

15. Anti-Realism Two groups of artists rejected “realism” Chose to refine art instead of depicting the grim realities of life Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood: drew inspiration from medieval Italian art Aesthetes: sought to create “art for art’s sake” whose sole purpose was perfection or beauty Aesthete writer Oscar Wilde

16. Popular Genres Poetry Drama  Oscar Wilde = famous playwright Novels  Newgate novel  Gothic novel Adventure stories Detective fiction  Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes