Victorian Literature Study Guide

The Victorian Era in English literature is subdivided into three periods: Early, Middle, and Late.

Novels were the most popular form of literature in the Early and Middle Victorian periods.

Victorian novels often depict realistic characters and settings, particularly in cities.

The expanding middle class influenced Victorian literature by supporting circulating libraries and periodicals, fostering a shared interest in reading between the elite and middle classes.

Despite societal constraints, Victorian literature featured a surprising number of successful female writers.

Victorian novelists often felt a responsibility to depict the social conditions of their time.

Charles Dickens's works were influenced by various sources, including the Bible, fairy tales, fables, and 18th-century Gothic novels.

Dickens's novels were typically published in installments, and London is portrayed in realistic detail.

A novel that explores the passionate love story between Heathcliff and Cathy Earnshaw, set against the backdrop of two families and their Yorkshire estates.

The central male character in "Wuthering Heights" who experiences love, loss, and a yearning for revenge.

A character in "Wuthering Heights" who is known for her passionate nature and conflicting emotions, ultimately leading to the choice of social security over her true love for Heathcliff.

The author of "Wuthering Heights", a classic novel of love, revenge, and the complexities of human nature.

A collection of poems by Walt Whitman that celebrates the power of democracy and the beauty of everyday life.

The central theme of "Leaves of Grass", emphasizes equality, freedom, and the interconnectedness of all people.

A poet known for her introspective and often melancholic poems, often exploring themes of death, nature, and the human condition.

A poem by Emily Dickinson about the inevitability of death and the journey beyond life.

Charles Dickens effectively highlighted social injustices in Victorian England through his novels, exposing the harsh realities of poverty, workhouses, and societal inequalities.

Dickens' novels illustrated the stark contrast between the lavish lifestyles of the wealthy and the miserable conditions of the poor in Victorian cities.

Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights, with their intense love stories, strong characters, and dramatic themes, are captivating for cinema.

The Gothic elements, atmospheric settings, and intense romantic relationships in these novels have a dramatic and visually striking quality that translates well onto the big screen.

Whitman's poetry celebrates American democracy, optimism, and the diversity of the nation.

Dickinson's poetry is characterized by its unconventional style, themes of death and mortality, and introspective, often enigmatic, approach.

Many literary works before the Victorian era lacked female protagonists. While some works were considered scandalous, the portrayal of female characters helped highlight societal norms and challenges faced by women.

Authors who challenged social and literary conventions often used their works, sometimes even their personal lives, to express dissent and advocate for change.

Walt Whitman's poetry, especially "Leaves of Grass," celebrated individual freedom, embraced diversity, and highlighted the American spirit through its focus on the individual and the collective.

Emily Dickinson's poems are known for their short, mysterious style and exploration of themes like death, life after death, nature, and thoughts. She uses unique punctuation and capitalization creating ambiguity and open interpretation.

Jane Eyre's journey speaks to the limitations placed on women in Victorian England. Her intelligence, independence, and demand for moral and emotional freedom challenge the expected submissive role of women.

Jane Eyre's story reflects the growing discussions about women's rights and personal freedom during the 19th century, a time when women began to question traditional roles.

Virginia Woolf revolutionized writing with her experimental style and her exploration of the inner lives of her characters. She used stream-of-consciousness and multiple perspectives in works like 'Mrs. Dalloway' and 'To the Lighthouse' to reflect the complex human experience.

Woolf's writing, reflecting her own life experiences, also questioned the limitations placed on women in society. Her work advocated for greater autonomy, intellectual freedom, and artistic expression for women.