Victorian Era Flashcards

Flashcards on the Victorian Era

Victorian Era

Period in British history between approximately 1820 and 1914, marked by rapid industrial, cultural, political, scientific, and social growth.

Reform Bill (1832)

A progressive move towards 'democratizing' parliamentary representation in Britain, though the working class still lacked voting rights.

Prince Albert's Great Exhibition (1851)

International exhibition at the Crystal Palace commemorating Britain's industrial and technological progress.

Charles Darwin's 'On the Origin of Species' (1859)

Publication that challenged traditional religious views by proposing that man had evolved from the ape, sparking religious controversy.

Late Victorian Period (1870-1901)

Marked by the decay of Victorian values, the rise of the trade union movement, and Britain's relative decline as a global power.

Victorian Novel Growth

The novel saw unprecedented growth due to the spread of education, the emergence of the middle class, and affordable reading materials.

Serialization

Novelists like Dickens, Thackeray, and Eliot published their works in a series of installments, often ending on cliffhangers.

Realism (Victorian Novels)

Writers aimed to depict the world realistically, showcasing its complexities rather than idealizing it.

Social Criticism (Victorian Novels)

Novels addressed social and moral problems of the time to raise awareness and encourage change.

Complex Narratives (Victorian Novels)

Novels often contained many characters, subplots, and diverse genres, making them long and detailed.

Moralising Tone (Victorian Novels)

Writers often had a moral purpose, portraying characters as examples of appropriate behavior and teaching readers about values.

Charles Dickens

British novelist and social critic known for his vivid characters, social commentary, and critique of Victorian society's injustices.

William Thackeray

British novelist and satirist, best known for 'Vanity Fair,' a satirical portrayal of 19th-century British society.

George Eliot

Pen-name of Mary Ann Evans, an English novelist known for realism, intricate character development, and psychological insights, with 'Middlemarch' as her masterpiece.

The Brontë Sisters

A trio of talented writers including Charlotte (Jane Eyre) and Emily (Wuthering Heights) who left an enduring legacy of English literature.

Thomas Hardy

English novelist and poet known for his pessimistic views, rural settings, social criticism, and tragic narratives, exemplified by 'Tess of the D'Urbervilles.'

Elizabeth Gaskell

English novelist known for works of social realism exploring the lives of working-class people during the Victorian era.

Anthony Trollope

English novelist known for the 'Chronicles of Barsetshire,' depicting life in the rural English countryside.

Wilkie Collins

Prolific writer known for mystery and suspense novels like 'The Woman in White' and 'The Moonstone,' considered early examples of detective fiction.