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What is the time frame generally used to define the Victorian literature period?
What is the time frame generally used to define the Victorian literature period?
How did Victorian literature relate to the Romantic Movement?
How did Victorian literature relate to the Romantic Movement?
What characterizes the nature of literary periods according to the content?
What characterizes the nature of literary periods according to the content?
What aspect of Victorian society is emphasized as being significant during the period?
What aspect of Victorian society is emphasized as being significant during the period?
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What led to increased factory production during the Victorian period?
What led to increased factory production during the Victorian period?
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What was an economic effect of the upheaval during the Victorian period?
What was an economic effect of the upheaval during the Victorian period?
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What was the attitude towards business practices during the Victorian era?
What was the attitude towards business practices during the Victorian era?
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What challenge do critics face when defining Victorian literature?
What challenge do critics face when defining Victorian literature?
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What distinguishes Gerard Manley Hopkins as a poet?
What distinguishes Gerard Manley Hopkins as a poet?
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What social characteristic is associated with the Victorian era?
What social characteristic is associated with the Victorian era?
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What economic change impacted Victoria England's social structure?
What economic change impacted Victoria England's social structure?
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What was a significant legislative development in Victorian England concerning voting rights?
What was a significant legislative development in Victorian England concerning voting rights?
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How did some writers react to the societal changes in the Victorian era?
How did some writers react to the societal changes in the Victorian era?
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What theme is commonly associated with the Modernist writers' interest in Hopkins' work?
What theme is commonly associated with the Modernist writers' interest in Hopkins' work?
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What reputation did the Victorians develop regarding their social conduct?
What reputation did the Victorians develop regarding their social conduct?
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What marked a shift in the societal pyramid during the Victorian era?
What marked a shift in the societal pyramid during the Victorian era?
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What was a common challenge faced by women writers in the nineteenth century?
What was a common challenge faced by women writers in the nineteenth century?
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Which author published works under a male pseudonym?
Which author published works under a male pseudonym?
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How did the style of poetry evolve during the nineteenth century?
How did the style of poetry evolve during the nineteenth century?
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What literary form became dominant over poetry during the Victorian era?
What literary form became dominant over poetry during the Victorian era?
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Which poet was known for his simple and relatable lyricism?
Which poet was known for his simple and relatable lyricism?
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What characterized Robert Browning's poetry?
What characterized Robert Browning's poetry?
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What was a significant change in poetry by the mid-nineteenth century?
What was a significant change in poetry by the mid-nineteenth century?
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What element did Victorian poets emphasize in their works?
What element did Victorian poets emphasize in their works?
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What issue did Elizabeth Barrett-Browning's poem 'The Cry of the Children' address?
What issue did Elizabeth Barrett-Browning's poem 'The Cry of the Children' address?
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How did Charles Dickens differ from writers of the preceding era?
How did Charles Dickens differ from writers of the preceding era?
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What was a common characteristic of the Romantic Movement compared to the Victorian era?
What was a common characteristic of the Romantic Movement compared to the Victorian era?
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What was one objective that Victorian writers believed was noble for artists to pursue?
What was one objective that Victorian writers believed was noble for artists to pursue?
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What sentiment prevailed regarding women's power in the Victorian world?
What sentiment prevailed regarding women's power in the Victorian world?
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What did the phrase 'The Woman Question' refer to in the Victorian context?
What did the phrase 'The Woman Question' refer to in the Victorian context?
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Why is it said that Dickens achieved a 'rock star' status in his time?
Why is it said that Dickens achieved a 'rock star' status in his time?
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Which aspect was a rallying point for female Victorian writers?
Which aspect was a rallying point for female Victorian writers?
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What was a significant characteristic of Victorian novels?
What was a significant characteristic of Victorian novels?
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What was Charles Dickens particularly acclaimed for?
What was Charles Dickens particularly acclaimed for?
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Which aspect of London life did Dickens notably portray in his novels?
Which aspect of London life did Dickens notably portray in his novels?
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Which of the following is a notable skill of Dickens?
Which of the following is a notable skill of Dickens?
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Which of the following works is NOT authored by Charles Dickens?
Which of the following works is NOT authored by Charles Dickens?
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What trait distinguishes William Makepeace Thackeray's writing?
What trait distinguishes William Makepeace Thackeray's writing?
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Which character from Thackeray's work is considered a vivid portrayal of society?
Which character from Thackeray's work is considered a vivid portrayal of society?
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What did Thackeray primarily aim to reveal through his work?
What did Thackeray primarily aim to reveal through his work?
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What is a characteristic feature of the narrator in Victorian novels?
What is a characteristic feature of the narrator in Victorian novels?
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Why did the Victorian novel gain popularity during the 19th century?
Why did the Victorian novel gain popularity during the 19th century?
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What was a common structural issue in Victorian novels?
What was a common structural issue in Victorian novels?
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What did Victorian novelists draw themes from?
What did Victorian novelists draw themes from?
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How did Victorian novels portray characters?
How did Victorian novels portray characters?
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What set the Victorian novelists apart in terms of storytelling?
What set the Victorian novelists apart in terms of storytelling?
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What kind of individuals did Victorian novels represent?
What kind of individuals did Victorian novels represent?
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What was a significant consequence of the rise of libraries and educational reforms in the Victorian Age?
What was a significant consequence of the rise of libraries and educational reforms in the Victorian Age?
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Study Notes
Defining Victorian Literature
- Defining Victorian literature precisely is challenging for critics, with disagreement about its precise timeframe (roughly 1830-1900).
- The name "Victorian" is derived from Queen Victoria's reign (1837-1901).
- It's difficult to pinpoint the exact dates where the Romantic period ends and the Victorian period begins, or when Victorianism transitions to Modernism.
- Literary periods are not discrete; numerous threads intertwine to form the cultural and artistic milieu of the time.
Uncertainties of Terminology
- Victorian literature reflects a period of significant social and intellectual upheaval in England.
- The middle and latter parts of the 19th century were a time of questioning previously held truths.
- Nearly all social institutions were impacted by rapid, unpredictable change, including advancements in steam engine technology, increased factory production, and global economic expansion.
The Impact of Industrialization
- Increased wealth creation was not matched by regulatory practices regarding business. This "laissez-faire" approach largely benefited the rising middle class, who became a powerful force in society.
- Scientific advancements challenged the Church's authority in daily life (e.g., Darwin's theories).
- Inequality between the rich and poor in society widened, leading to significant social unrest and migration from rural areas to urban centers.
Literature as a Reflection of Society
- Victorian writers often directly addressed the issues of their time, contrasting with earlier Romantic ideals of escapism.
- Issues addressed in Victorian literature included the plight of the working class, women's societal roles, overcrowding in cities, and exploitative industrial labor conditions.
Prominent Victorian Literary Figures
- Writers like Dickens and Barrett Browning were highly influential in their time and to this generation.
- Victorian novelists employed the serial publication format, using periodicals for their storytelling.
- Works such as Hard Times and The Cry of the Children sought change and social improvement.
- Victorian novels aimed to be more realistic or less fantastical.
- Authors also explored complex characters and plotlines, presenting detailed portrayals of society that allowed readers to feel empathy and understanding
Victorian Poetry and the Novel
- The novel emerged as the dominant literary form in the Victorian era, supplanting poetry.
- The structure and style of novels changed greatly in this era, from the episodic nature of early Victorian fiction to providing an expanded scope of characters and their stories, which included the morally complex.
- Victorian novels sought to capture societal realism and issues (e.g., urban poverty, industrial exploitation).
- Victorian novels tended to be aimed at the middle and upper classes, and addressed their concerns and priorities in the era.
Thomas Hardy
- Thomas Hardy: A literary figure who was a forerunner of the Modernist movement, characterized by themes of despair and the questioning of established social institutions and religious values.
- Hardy's work reflects a questioning of religious and societal perspectives.
Gerard Hopkins
- Gerard Manley Hopkins: A poet who used innovative language and touched on religious and existential themes, displaying a modern outlook.
Literary Views of the Victorian Period
- Critics often viewed the novel as a less sophisticated art form than poetry.
- Victorian poetry shifted from the earlier Romantic traditions to depict a more down-to-earth and realistic style.
- Despite negative criticisms, later Victorian novelists explored new possibilities for the form, leading the literary movement to new heights and impacting future literary generations.
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Description
Explore the key aspects of the Victorian literature period, including its relationship with the Romantic Movement, significant societal changes, and the characteristics that define this literary era. Understand the economic impacts and legislative developments that shaped Victorian England.
