Victorian Era and Its Social Dynamics

Victorian Era

Period during Queen Victoria's reign (1837-1901).

Queen Victoria

Reigned from 1837 to 1901; born May 24, 1819.

Prince Albert

Queen Victoria's husband; died of typhoid in 1861.

Victorian Invention

Concept of creating solutions to societal problems.

Romantic Courtship

Social practice focused on marriage and propriety.

Coming Out

Debut of young women into society for marriage.

Chaperone

Older companion ensuring propriety during social events.

Courtship Phases

Stages include speaking, walking out, and keeping company.

Social Events

Upper classes held events from April to July.

Public Behavior

Strict rules against staring and impure topics.

Pre-marital Conduct

No sexual contact; innocence was essential.

Marriage Age

Legal age: 21; women could marry at 12.

Marriage as Business

Marriages often negotiated for financial and social gain.

Engagement Duration

Lasted from six months to two years.

Breach of Promise

Legal action for ending an engagement prematurely.

Secrecy of Engagements

Engagements often kept secret to avoid scrutiny.

Romance in Marriage

True love often developed despite arranged marriages.

Facebook Satire Tag

Marks satire sites to distinguish from real news.

Keystone Pipeline

Pipeline expansion transporting oil from Canada.

Public Affairs

Conduct taken seriously to avoid offending suitors.

Upper Class Daily Routine

Day starts late; includes concerts and parties.

Introduction Protocol

Single women required introductions to address men.

Social Circles

Women controlled social interactions and gossip.

Marital Proposals

Must be granted by the bride's father.

Engagement Ring

Symbolizes commitment; size reflects groom's finances.

Legal Restrictions

Illegal to marry deceased wife's sister.

Education for Women

Discouraged intelligence and political interest.

Satire

A genre that critiques flaws and vices.

Satura

Latin origin of 'satire', meaning poetic medley.

Critical Thinking

Skill developed by analyzing satire's contradictions.

The Importance of Being Earnest

A 1895 comedy satirizing Victorian social norms.

Oscar Wilde

Author known for wit and societal critique.

Victorian Period

Era marked by strict moral and social values.

Paradox

Contradictory statements revealing deeper truths.

Bunburying

Deceptive practice of creating fictitious personas.

Epic

A long narrative poem about heroic deeds.

Epic Hero

Larger-than-life figure performing extraordinary feats.

City-States

Independent regions with their own governments in Greece.

Mythological Allusions

References to myths in literature and art.

Mount Olympus

Home of the Greek gods, symbolizing divine authority.

Polytheism

Belief in multiple gods, characteristic of ancient Greece.

Human Characteristics of Gods

Gods depicted with human traits for relatability.

Gwendolen and Cecily

Characters embodying elegance and inner pettiness.

Social Commentary

Critique of societal norms through satire.

Irony

Use of language that signifies the opposite.

Exaggeration

Overstating for emphasis or comedic effect.

Victorian Manners

Strict social etiquette emphasizing decorum.

Art for Art's Sake

Belief that art should exist independently of politics.

Redemption

The possibility of recovery from flaws.

Cultural Values

Societal beliefs reflected in myths and literature.

Algernon's Line

Contradicts traditional marriage views on infidelity.

Flaws and Redemption

Characters' imperfections lead to their ultimate salvation.

Epic Journey

A significant adventure often involving supernatural elements.

Moral Expectations

Societal standards dictating behavior and reputation.

Themes of Epics

Include courage, loyalty, and life and death.

Homer

Blind poet who lived 900-700 BC.

The Iliad

Prequel to the Odyssey, set during Trojan War.

The Odyssey

Follows Odysseus' adventures post-Trojan War.

Invocation of the Muse

Call for divine inspiration in writing.

Epithet

Descriptive phrase renaming a character.

Trojan War

Conflict sparked by Paris' choice of Aphrodite.

Achilles

Hero who killed Hector; vulnerable at heel.

Odysseus

King of Ithaca, main character of the Odyssey.

Trojan Horse

Deceptive wooden horse used to enter Troy.

Hero's Journey

Narrative structure outlining a hero's adventure.

Call to Adventure

Initial challenge prompting the hero's journey.

Refusal of the Call

Hero's initial reluctance to embark on adventure.

Meeting With the Mentor

Hero receives guidance before the journey.

The Ordeal

Major life-or-death crisis faced by the hero.

The Reward

Hero gains treasure after surviving the ordeal.

Resurrection

Final test where hero applies learned lessons.

Return with the Elixir

Hero shares newfound wisdom with the ordinary world.

Poseidon

God of the sea, antagonist to Odysseus.

Polyphemus

Cyclops blinded by Odysseus.

Helen of Troy

Her abduction sparked the Trojan War.

Agamemnon

King of Argos, leader of Greek forces.

Telemachus

Son of Odysseus, seeks his father.

Circe

Enchantress who detains Odysseus on Aeaea.

Lotus Eaters

Inhabitants who offer Odysseus' crew intoxicating plants.

Cicones

Allies of Trojans, attacked by Odysseus' crew.