5. VICTORIAN LITERATURE: THE NOVEL(IST)S, CRITICAL REALISM, POETRY, LATE VICTORIAN DRAMA

What is the Victorian era and what is its significance in literature?

• The Victorian era (1837-1901), marked by Queen Victoria's reign, was a period of significant social, political, and economic change.

• These transformations were reflected in literature, which is known for realism, detailed character development, and exploration of social issues

How did literacy and publishing change during the Victorian era?

Literacy increased significantly during the Victorian era, with basic literacy becoming nearly universal by the end of the century, aided by compulsory education. An explosion of newspapers, periodicals, and books occurred due to technological advancements in printing, making literature more accessible.

What were the main characteristics of Victorian novels?

often depicted a large and comprehensive social world, representing a variety of classes and social settings. They were realistic, with a focus on social relationships and the tensions between societal constraints and the protagonist's aspirations for love, social position, or fulfillment.

Who are some of the key novelists of the Victorian era and their themes?

• Charles Dickens: Social reform, poverty, and childhood ("Oliver Twist," "Great Expectations")

• Charlotte Brontë: Individualism, gender roles, and women's struggles ("Jane Eyre")

• George Eliot: Social change and moral dilemmas ("Middlemarch")

• Thomas Hardy: Fate, social constraints, and rural life ("Tess of the d'Urbervilles")

What is critical realism, and which authors were known for it?

IT aimed to portray life and society truthfully, focusing on socio-economic realities and social issues such as class disparity and gender inequality. Notable authors include Charles Dickens ("Oliver Twist"), George Eliot ("Middlemarch"), and Elizabeth Gaskell ("North and South").

How did Victorian poetry develop in relation to Romanticism?

heavily influenced by Romanticism but moved away from its idealization of imagination. Poets like Tennyson and Browning dealt with contemporary issues and focused on individual and societal struggles, reflecting the changing times.

Who were some of the prominent poets of the Victorian era?

• Alfred, Lord Tennyson: Nature, loss, heroism ("In Memoriam")

• Robert Browning: Human psychology, dramatic monologues ("My Last Duchess")

• Elizabeth Barrett Browning: Love, social injustice, women's rights ("Sonnets from the Portuguese")

• Christina Rossetti: Religion, love, and death ("Goblin Market")

What characterized Victorian drama and its transformation in the late Victorian period?

Early Victorian drama was more about entertainment, with melodramas and comedies, but in the late 19th century, playwrights like Oscar Wilde and George Bernard Shaw introduced sophisticated social critiques, addressing moral, political, and social issues through drama.

What role did Pre-Raphaelitism play in Victorian literature?

Pre-Raphaelitism, starting in 1848, opposed the conventional art and literature of the time. It focused on vivid detail, rich symbolism, and themes of beauty, often experimenting with forms like Christina Rossetti's "Goblin Market."

How did the novel serve society in the Victorian era?

was both a form of entertainment and a tool for social sympathy. It addressed almost every social topic, including poverty, class struggle, and the working conditions, aiming to spark social reform through its portrayal of real-life issues.

What social issues were commonly addressed in Victorian literature?

often highlighted the social issues of the time, including class disparity, industrialization, gender inequality, child labor, and poverty. Authors like Dickens and Gaskell used their novels to advocate for social reforms.

What was the significance of "three-decker" novels in the Victorian period?

novels were often published in a "three-decker" format (three-volume editions), allowing readers to experience a serialized version of the novel. This method contributed to the novel’s accessibility, and helped authors gain popularity while being a major economic model for publishers.

How did Victorian novelists approach the portrayal of women in society?

Many Victorian novelists, particularly female authors, used the novel to explore the constraints placed on women in a patriarchal society. The struggles of women for self-realization and independence, such as in "Jane Eyre" and "Middlemarch," were central to many works, reflecting both societal limitations and potential for social mobility

What are the defining features of the Byronic hero, as seen in Lord Byron's works?

The Byronic hero, first seen in "Childe Harold's Pilgrimage," is a complex, rebellious figure characterized by arrogance, cynicism, and emotional isolation. He rejects societal norms, often exhibits self-destructive tendencies, and feels misunderstood or outcast from society.

How did Victorian literature evolve from Romanticism?

Victorian literature evolved from the emotional exuberance of Romanticism to a more practical, critical realism. While still influenced by Romantic themes like nature and individualism, Victorian writers emphasized social realities, moral dilemmas, and the complexities of human life in an industrialized society

How did Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest" critique Victorian society?

Wilde's play "The Importance of Being Earnest" satirizes the social conventions, pretensions, and hypocrisies of the Victorian upper class. It uses humor, wit, and absurd situations to highlight the superficiality of societal norms, particularly concerning marriage and identity.

What is the significance of social class in Victorian literature?

Social class plays a central role in Victorian literature, often influencing characters' opportunities, relationships, and aspirations. Authors like Trollope and Hardy explored the rigidity of class structures and the possibility (or impossibility) of upward mobility, revealing the deep divisions in Victorian society.

What is the role of "sensation novels" in Victorian literature?

Sensation novels, popularized by authors like Wilkie Collins, were characterized by suspense, shocking plots, and mystery. They often dealt with crime, scandals, and sensational topics like madness and the supernatural, reflecting a fascination with the darker aspects of human nature and society.