The modern spirit, matthew arnold observed in 1865, is now awake. The victorian era was a time in british history that spanned from 1837 to 1901, the period during which queen victoria ruled the british empire. The victorian period revolves around the political career of queen victoria. For the literature of previous linguistic periods, see the articles on anglosaxon literature and middle english literature see also anglonorman. What are the main characteristics of the victorian period. Early victorian poems were often long and sometimes followed the form. Victorian literature is literature, mainly written in english, during the reign of queen victoria 18371901 the victorian era.
The vistorian era was a bridge between the romantic era in literature of the 18th century and the industrialized world of the 20th century. It was the ideal form to describe contemporary life and to entertain the middle class. Arnolds works hearken forward to some of the themes of these later poets while hopkins drew inspiration from verse forms of old english poetry such as beowulf. The literature the literature of this era expressed the fusion of pure romance to gross realism. Although characterized as practical and materialistic, the literature of the victorian age portrays a completely ideal life. Romantic period and victorian period are two notable periods in literature. Tennysons greatest poem and one of the greatest elegies in the english language in memoriam. Though, the victorian age produced great poets, the age is also. While the affluence of the middle class increased, the lower classes, thrown off their land and into the cities to form. Queen victoria, at the age of 18 ruled england continuously for 64 years until her death. Literary characteristics of the victorian period cori shirk and cat whelan. Some literature published before queen victorias reign, such as jane austens pride and prejudice, portend the style and preoccupations of early victorian literature and are. Characteristics of victorian literature are largely artists that are inspired by both the art that came before them and the event that occurred during the time that they were working. She was crowned in 1837 and died in 1901 which put a definite end to her political career.
This period saw the spread of the novel, thanks to the improvements in printing and distribution of. Characteristics of victorian era literature, novels and poetry. In 1859 charles darwin had published on the origin of species by means of natural selection. The literature of this era expressed the fusion of pure romance to gross realism. So after understanding these all characteristics we can easily understand the victorian age. Nature trhough romanticism and victorian period essay. Historical background of victorian age english literature. It was the time exactly comes after the romantic age. The 19th century saw the novel become the leading form of literature in english. Being filled with various types of thoughts, the victorian period paved the way for modern times. Boasting such canonical authors as charles dickens, the brontes and rudyard kipling, victorian literature features an array of literary elements that were cultivated through. The victorian era was the great age of the english novelrealistic, thickly plotted, crowded with characters, and long. The victorian age is essentially the age of the novel or fiction. Read this article to know about the victorian novel characteristics, essay on victorian novel, themes of victorian novels, victorian age novel.
More often than not, these novels will point out and bring to light some of the follies of the victorian era. During the victorian age, numerous poetic ideals were developed, such as the increased use of the sonnet as a poetic form. Some literature published before queen victorias reign, such as jane austens pride and prejudice, portend the style and preoccupations of early victorian literature and are sometimes included in victorian canons. British literature victorian era arts and humanities. What are the salient features of the victorian age in english. English literature the postromantic and victorian eras. Sounds like the same arguments you hear about the internet age, doesnt it. A neo victorian novel is a novel written in modern times that takes place in the 19th century and usually puts a spin on the characteristics of the victorian era. While the country saw economic progress, poverty and exploitation were also equally a part of it.
The victorian period is in strong contention with the romantic period for being the most popular, influential, and prolific period in all of english and world literature. Most of the nineteenth century fell under the reign of queen victoria in england, a fact that gave rise to the. The victorian age starts with the region of the queen vitoria. The characteristic features of english romantic poetry are. Stacy has taught college english and has a masters degree in literature. The victorian age starts with the region of the queen victoria means from 1837. Hindi lecture on restoration age and neoclassical age fornta net, dsssb,tgt, pgt, kv, lt grade exams duration. English literature, literature written in english since c. Long in his book writes for this age the morden period of progress and unrest. A great deal of change took place during this period brought about because of the industrial revolution. This period was marked by tremendous cultural upheaval.
Greenwoods map of london ever been lost with a character in the mean streets of victorian london. This reflected more on practical problems and interests. It is largely characterized by the struggle of working people and the triumph of right over wrong. This eras literature, for example, was a bridge between. Poetry with alliteration and without rhyme, tradition of oral poetry, songs of lament, introduction of christian themes. It was preceded by romanticism and followed by the edwardian era 19011910. Victorian poetry18001901 victorian poetry is the poetry written during the period of queen victorias reign 18371901.
English literature late victorian literature britannica. Social turbulence was feverish, prompting writers and thinkers to. The following links, organized by literary period, are to the librarys catalog for works by author, title, literary movement, type of work, etc. Selfconsciousness was the quality that john stuart mill identified, in 1838, as the daemon of the men of genius of our time. Victorian novels tend to be idealized portraits of difficult lives in which hard work, perseverance, love and luck win out in the end.
Characteristics of the victorian era 1029 words 5 pages. Characteristics of early victorian literature pen and the pad. One of his most distinguishing characteristics was his barbed humor. Victorian literature is the literature produced during the reign of queen victoria 18371901 a. Whereas earlier, most literature had a clear beginning, middle, and end or introduction, conflict, and resolution, the modernist story was often more of a stream of consciousness.
During this period, the novel made a rapid progress. Apr 04, 2016 this period is considered as victorian age in the history of english literature. The victorians loved the heroic, chivalrous stories of knights of old and they hoped to regain some of that noble, courtly behaviour and impress it upon the people both at home and in the wider empire. The literary characteristics of the victorian era 2 realism morality. What are the characteristics of all the english literary periods.
Find out more about the greatest authors of the victorian and romantic periods, including dickens, wilde, austen, blake and rossetti. The movement roughly comprises the years from 1830 to 1900, though there is ample disagreement regarding even this simple point. A brief overview is located below literary periods are spans of time for literature that shares intellectual, linguistic, religious, and artistic influences. What are characteristics of modernist literature, fiction in. Historical background of victorian age english literature essay. What are characteristics of victorian poetry answers. Start studying english literature victorian period exam. Test your knowledge on victorian literature, a broad term for the english prose and poetry written during queen victorias long 19th century reign. Victorian web tons of information about the victorian era and its artits a maze over there. Victorian literature 4 science, philosophy and discovery charles darwins work on the origin of species affected society and thought in the victoria era, and still does today. In one direction the literature of the victorian age achieved a salient and momentous advance over the lecture of the romantic revival. It was the age of peace and prosperity and also the age of prose and novel.
The romantic period of the victorian era 1715 words. To achieve the emotions described above, most modernist fiction was cast in first person. Nevertheless, the most important genre in the victorian period was the novel. The victorian era was a period spanning queen victorias reign from 1837 to 1901. Queen victorias reign lasted until 1901 and the literature that was being produced closer to the turn of the century shared few characteristics with the earlier works of the victorian era. Introspection was inevitable in the literature of an immediately postromantic period, and the age itself was as prone to selfanalysis as. By 1870, over 1,00,000 steam engines were at work throughout britain. Victorian literature is literature written in england during the reign of queen victoria. If one studies possibly, all the great writers of this period, you will mark three general characteristics, firstly, literature in the victorian age tended to come face to face with realism. In the victorian era, english family life increasingly became compartmentalised, the home a selfcontained structure housing a nuclear family extended according to need and circumstance to include blood relations. Feb 27, 2008 literary characteristics of the victorian period. Introspection was inevitable in the literature of an immediately postromantic period, and the age itself was as prone to selfanalysis as were its individual authors. Victorian literature is literature written in england during the reign of queen victoria, or roughly from 1837 1901.
The literature of this era was preceded by romanticism and was followed by modernism or realism. The victorian age the victorian age is a very long period of english history. Nov 28, 2017 victorian age 18371901 the victorian era was one of the most important eras in the history of english literature. It becomes a powerful instrument for human progress. Get an answer for what are the salient features of the victorian age in english literature. The victorian age in english literature was the age of queen victoria who ruled britain in the nineteenth century. The difference between private life and commerce was a fluid one distinguished by an informal demarcation of function. The literature of victorian age was influenced by three different factors which are industrial revolution, scientific inventions and political freedom. Read this article to know about the characteristic features of victorian age, characteristics of the victorian era society, victorian age characteristics.
Poets of this time include robert and elizabeth barrett browning, christina rossetti, alfred lord tennyson, and matthew arnold, among others. Victorian era literature characteristics english summary. Class, gender, individualism, society all were given space in the novel. Defining victorian literature in any satisfactory and comprehensive manner has proven troublesome for critics ever since the nineteenth century came to a close. This period was characterized by strong industrial development and the emergence of a distinct and opulent style in literature, art and architecture. Victorian literature english literature britannica. Hence, it can also be called a fusion of romantic and realist style of writing. The realistic novel in the victorian era british literature. Literature that emerged in england during the reign of queen victoria 18371901 was diverse in many ways, and defined to a large extent by the historical era. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. The victorian age was a time of change and prosperity in many aspects. Characteristics of victorian age literature uk essays. When victoria came on the throne of england in 1837, english literature seemed to have entered into a period of lean years.
Doc assignment characteristics of victorian period asad. The victorian period began roughly around the time of the beginning of queen victorias reign in 1837 and ended around her death in 1901. Science, art, literature, architecture were key victorian era characteristics. What are the salient features of the victorian age in. Abraham, we find that the period between 1850 1900 is regarded as the victorian period, which is also known as the age of compromise and the age of peace and prosperity. Critical opinion is divided as to when the romantic movement actually came to an end. The beginning of the victorian era marked the end of the mass production and uniform tendencies of the industrial revolution. About the features of this period, they are many and.
The penguin edition of middlemarch weighs in at 880 pages, and its not an. The literature of the victorian age entered in a new period after the romantic revival. This age comes after the romantic age and ends with the turning of the modern age of the twentieth century. Authors victorian and romantic poets, novelists and. The literature of the victorian age 1837 1901, named for the reign of queen victoria. Mar 23, 2015 the literature of the victorian age, in spite of its insistence on rationality, and an order born out of reason, could not completely cut off from the main springs of romanticism. The victorian age is the period of the reign of queen victoria. This period saw the spread of the novel, thanks to the improvements. As manufacturing and industrialization skyrocketed, the chasm between the rich and the poor widened.
Hopkins drew inspiration from verse forms of old english poetry such as beowulf. Other articles where victorian literature is discussed. Characteristics of early victorian literature pen and. By entering your email address you agree to receive emails from shmoop and verify that you are over the age of. The literature of the victorian age was correlated to the social and political life of the age. The reform bill of 1832 gave the middle class the political power it needed to consolidateand to holdthe economic position it had already achieved. Victorian poetry refers to the verses composed during the reign of queen victoria in english 18371901. Historians, philosophers, and scientists were all beginning to apply the idea of evolution to new areas of study of the human experience. The industrial revolution, the railway age, steam engines were being used in mines, factories and ships. Queen victoria was the longestrunning english monarch in history. Authors victorian and romantic poets, novelists and playwrights. Victorian literature is largely characterized by the struggle of working people and the triumph of right over wrong, which do in part can be hard to decipher at.
It can be divided into two periods high victorian literature late victorian. Literature in the victorian age the victorian age is the period of the reign of queen victoria. The victorian period in history and literature was during the years of the reign of queen victoria 18371901. Characteristics of early victorian literature the novel. But the victorian era the 63year period from 18371901 that marked the reign of englands queen victoriaalso saw a demise of rural life as cities rapidly grew and expanded, long and. During this time, england was undergoing a cultural upheaval. This is not an example of the work produced by our essay writing service. Punch cartoons victorians loved their punchand their punch. The victorian age was a time of huge social and political development, and it can be more easily managed when broken down into three phases. Old english literature, or anglosaxon literature, encompasses the surviving literature written in old english in anglosaxon england, in the period after the settlement of the saxons and other germanic tribes in england jutes and the angles c. Mar 01, 2019 a short summary of characteristics of ages of british literature old englishanglosaxon era 4501066 a. It begins after queen victoria, on 1837, and ends on 1901.
This period proceeded the romantic period in english history which had poetry as its main source of literature. The reclaiming of the past was a major part of victorian literature with an interest in both classical literature but also the medieval literature of england. The gap between the rich and the poor increased significantly and the drive for material and commercial success was seen to propagate a kind of a moral decay in the society itself. It is largely characterized by the struggle of working people and the triumph. Characteristics of victorian literature slideshare. The victorian literary artists, living aside a few votaries of art for arts sake represented by the preraphaelite school of poets, were inspired by a social zeal to represent the problem of their own age. Although the victorian poetry was quite different from that of the preceding era. The victorians loved the heroic, chivalrous stories of knights of old and they. The period was known to have witnessed the massive change of britain from an agrarian to.
Major characteristics of the era the victorian era was characterized by change and upheaval. Literary elements of victorian literature pen and the pad. Characteristics of victorian literature the style of the victorian novel. During the 19th century, queen victoria ruled england for 64 years. Victorian literature literature chegg tutors youtube. Characteristics of the victorian era 1729 words bartleby.
Oscar wilde was an irish writer who lived in london during the victorian period. The romantic period was an artistic and literary movement that originated in europe towards the end of the 18 th century. Novels were the most prevalent form of literature in the early victorian period. Mar 29, 2016 literature that emerged in england during the reign of queen victoria 18371901 was diverse in many ways, and defined to a large extent by the historical era rather than any other characteristic. The reclaiming of the past was a major part of victorian literature, with an interest in both classical literature but also the medieval literature of england.
History of english literature pdf included periods of. England was moving steadily in the direction of becoming europe. English literature english literature the postromantic and victorian eras. During this time, england was undergoing a cultural upheaval read this article to know about the characteristic features of victorian age, characteristics of the victorian era society, victorian age characteristics. Characteristics of victorian literature overview the literature of the victorian age 1837 1901, named for the reign of queen victoria entered in a new period. English literature victorian period exam flashcards quizlet.
Victorian novel characteristics in english english summary. For further information on materials related to a specific literary. Victorian age in history of english literature youtube. What are the characteristics of victorian literature. It lasted during the reign of queen victoria from 1837 to 1901. Though the victorian age produced two great poets alfred lord tennyson. English literature english literature late victorian literature. Small towns were beginning to swell into smoky centres of mnaufacturing industry. This period was marked by the tremendous cultural upheaval. The victorian era was an important time for the development of science and the victorians had a. The literature of the victorian age 18371901 entered a new period after the romantic revival.