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Questions and Answers
Which of the following best describes a key characteristic of early Victorian novelists like Charles Dickens, contrasting them with later novelists such as Oscar Wilde?
Which of the following best describes a key characteristic of early Victorian novelists like Charles Dickens, contrasting them with later novelists such as Oscar Wilde?
- Early novelists primarily aimed to entertain, while later novelists focused on teaching moral lessons.
- Early novelists pointed out social issues without harsh criticism, while later novelists were more critical of society. (correct)
- Early novelists focused on fantastical elements and imaginative stories, while later novelists depicted harsh realities.
- Early novelists ignored social issues, while later novelists addressed them subtly.
How did the increased accessibility of books during the Victorian era MOST directly influence the literary landscape?
How did the increased accessibility of books during the Victorian era MOST directly influence the literary landscape?
- It made shorter fictions more common over longer forms.
- It discouraged writers from experimenting with new styles.
- It fostered a wider readership and greater literary output. (correct)
- It led to a decline in the quality of literature due to mass production.
In what way did the serialized publication of Victorian novels impact the relationship between authors and their audience?
In what way did the serialized publication of Victorian novels impact the relationship between authors and their audience?
- It isolated authors, as they had less direct contact with reader feedback.
- It allowed authors to focus solely on their artistic vision without external influence.
- It decreased the number of readers for each novels.
- It created a dynamic where reader feedback could influence the direction of the story. (correct)
Which of these elements was a common characteristic of Victorian novels?
Which of these elements was a common characteristic of Victorian novels?
Robert Browning's poetic achievements are best exemplified by his:
Robert Browning's poetic achievements are best exemplified by his:
How did the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood's artistic focus MOST significantly influence their poetry?
How did the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood's artistic focus MOST significantly influence their poetry?
In what way did Oscar Wilde's plays, such as The Importance of Being Earnest, challenge the norms of Victorian society?
In what way did Oscar Wilde's plays, such as The Importance of Being Earnest, challenge the norms of Victorian society?
Which of the following factors MOST directly contributed to the rise in popularity of novels during the Victorian period?
Which of the following factors MOST directly contributed to the rise in popularity of novels during the Victorian period?
What aspects of Victorian society are MOST reflected in the poem “Invictus”?
What aspects of Victorian society are MOST reflected in the poem “Invictus”?
Which statement correctly describes the role and impact of Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson during the Victorian Era?
Which statement correctly describes the role and impact of Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson during the Victorian Era?
Which of the following best describes the Victorian Compromise in the context of Victorian society?
Which of the following best describes the Victorian Compromise in the context of Victorian society?
How did the concept of 'respectability' primarily function within Victorian society?
How did the concept of 'respectability' primarily function within Victorian society?
What societal role did philanthropic activities primarily play in the Victorian era?
What societal role did philanthropic activities primarily play in the Victorian era?
What was the prevailing attitude toward female sexuality in Victorian society, as reflected in their concept of 'prudery'?
What was the prevailing attitude toward female sexuality in Victorian society, as reflected in their concept of 'prudery'?
How did the serialization of novels in newspapers contribute to the genre's popularity during the Victorian era?
How did the serialization of novels in newspapers contribute to the genre's popularity during the Victorian era?
Which characteristic of early Victorian novels best showcases the 'Victorian Compromise'?
Which characteristic of early Victorian novels best showcases the 'Victorian Compromise'?
In what way did the novels of the Brontë sisters diverge from mainstream Victorian novels?
In what way did the novels of the Brontë sisters diverge from mainstream Victorian novels?
What shift in thematic focus characterizes the novels of late Victorian novelists like Thomas Hardy and Oscar Wilde?
What shift in thematic focus characterizes the novels of late Victorian novelists like Thomas Hardy and Oscar Wilde?
How does Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray challenge conventional Victorian values?
How does Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray challenge conventional Victorian values?
In what way did Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland serve as a departure from Victorian norms?
In what way did Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland serve as a departure from Victorian norms?
Flashcards
Victorian Literature
Victorian Literature
Dominant literary form, but poetry also thrived.
Alfred Tennyson
Alfred Tennyson
Known for dramatic monologues.
Robert Browning
Robert Browning
Mastered long poetic compositions.
Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood
Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood
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Oscar Wilde's plays
Oscar Wilde's plays
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"Invictus"
"Invictus"
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Novel popularity
Novel popularity
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Magazine installments
Magazine installments
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Reader Interaction
Reader Interaction
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Typical Victorian novel features
Typical Victorian novel features
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Victorian Compromise
Victorian Compromise
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Respectability (Victorian Era)
Respectability (Victorian Era)
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Victorian Philanthropy
Victorian Philanthropy
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Victorian Family Life
Victorian Family Life
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Victorian Prudery
Victorian Prudery
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Victorian Novel
Victorian Novel
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Early Victorian Novelists
Early Victorian Novelists
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Charles Dickens's novels
Charles Dickens's novels
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The Brontë Sisters novels
The Brontë Sisters novels
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Late Victorian Novelists
Late Victorian Novelists
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Study Notes
- The Victorian Compromise balanced progress with morality in Victorian society.
Values
- Victorians valued duty, hard work, respectability, and charity.
- These values aimed to address social issues but often overlooked poverty and inequality.
Respectability
- Separated the middle from lower classes.
- It included good manners, church attendance, and household management.
Philanthropy
- Helping the poor, "fallen women," and orphans became common, especially among women.
Family Life
- Families were patriarchal with male authority.
- Women managed the home and raised children.
- Female chastity was critical; unwed mothers faced marginalization.
Prudery
- Victorian society suppressed sexuality and avoided sexual connotations in art and language.
Novel Popularity
- Novels were the most successful genre due to literacy increases, affordable books, and lending libraries.
- Novels were serialized in newspapers, increasing accessibility and engagement.
Common Features of Novels
- They combined entertainment with moral instruction.
- They featured adventurous plots, moral themes, and realistic depictions of human conditions.
- Narrators were typically 3rd-person omniscient.
- Novels were structured in three volumes with subplots and unexpected events.
Early Victorian Novelists
- This phase combined realism with moral lessons without directly criticizing Victorian society.
- Charles Dickens (1812–1870): His works, such as Oliver Twist, David Copperfield, and Great Expectations, exemplified the Victorian Compromise, blending tragic and comic elements, denouncing social evils, and ending optimistically.
- The Brontë Sisters: Charlotte (Jane Eyre, 1847) and Emily (Wuthering Heights, 1847) explored passion and emotion, challenging mainstream Victorian novels.
Late Victorian Novelists
- This phase involved open criticism of society and rejection of Victorian optimism.
- Key themes included the duality of human nature, pessimism, and artistic freedom.
- Thomas Hardy (1840–1928): His novels depicted tragic fatalism.
- Oscar Wilde (1854–1900): The Picture of Dorian Gray (1890) championed Aestheticism, emphasizing art’s independence from morality.
- Lewis Carroll: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (1865) rejected Victorian moral norms through nonsensical storytelling.
Victorian Poetry
- Despite the dominance of prose, Victorian poetry made significant contributions.
- Alfred Tennyson (1809–1892): He was known for dramatic monologues.
- Robert Browning (1812–1889): He was a master of long poetic compositions.
- Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood: They celebrated medieval art, mysticism, and sensuality in poetry.
- American poets Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson focused on universal themes and personal insights.
Victorian Drama
- Modern British drama emerged during this era.
- Oscar Wilde: His witty comedies, such as The Importance of Being Earnest (1895), criticized upper-class conventions.
"Invictus"
- "Invictus" is a poem written in the Victorian Age.
- It speaks of the concept of the "self-made man".
Novels
- Novels flourished during the Victorian age as literacy increased.
- Books became more accessible due to lending libraries and affordability.
- Improved printing press technology resulted in smaller, more portable books.
Serial Publication
- Publishing stories in magazines in installments became widespread.
- Episodes ended on cliffhangers to encourage continued readership.
Reader Interaction
- Readers interacted with authors, providing reviews.
- Charles Dickens modified his stories based on reader feedback.
Novelist Division
- Early Victorian novelists, such as Charles Dickens, pointed out issues without harsh criticism.
- Later Victorian novelists, such as Oscar Wilde, were more critical of society.
Typical Novel Features
- Stories were set in the everyday life of readers.
- Novels had a clear moral aim, used as a means to teach lessons.
- Plots followed a chronological order of events, but with numerous subplots.
- Third-person omniscient narrators were used.
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Description
Explore Victorian society's values, emphasizing respectability, philanthropy, and family life. Understand how these values shaped social norms, class distinctions, and the popularity of novels. Learn about the Victorian Compromise and its impact on social progress and morality.
