The Victorians
1831-1901
AN ERA OF RAPID CHANGE
Queen Victoria
Queen Victoria ruled for 63 years.
Queen Victoria and
Prince Albert
Alice in Wonderland
The Queen of Hearts
Prince Albert in a Can
Under Victoria’s Rule
 The role of the monarchy changes from giving orders
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to parliament to advising it.
Proper behavior is insisted upon.
British Imperialism spreads around the world.
Industrial Revolution continues and creates middle
class.
Wealth and prosperity grow, but so does suffering.
Under Queen Victoria
 Middle class enjoyed vast new wealth and became
educated.
 Literature shifted from romanticism to realism
Gothic Fiction
Role of Architecture
English Gothic writers often associated medieval
buildings with what they saw as a dark and
terrifying period, characterized by harsh laws
enforced by torture, and with mysterious, fantastic,
and superstitious rituals.
Under Queen Victoria
Romanticism
 Romantics influenced early Victorian writers.
 Early Victorian poets focused on “poetic” subjects.
 Readers turned to novels that combined elements
from both eras.
Family Tree
Yorkshire Moors
Rocky Terrain
Poor Soil
North Yorkshire Moors From Space
Wuthering Heights
Thrushcross Grange
Under Queen Victoria
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Realism
Fiction was considered light
entertainment.
Realism captured everyday life.
Realist writers exposed social
problems and pretensions.
Psychological realism focused on
internal realities of the mind.
Novels were long and often
published serially.
Gothic Fiction
Setting
The setting of the Gothic Novel is a character in itself. The
plot is usually set in a castle, an abbey, a monastery, or
some other, usually religious edifice, and it is acknowledged
that this building has secrets of its own. It is this gloomy
and frightening scenery, which sets the scene for what the
audience should expect.
Characteristics of Gothic Fiction
 Virginal Maiden
 Older, Foolish Woman
 Hero
Stupid Servant
Clowns
Bandits/Ruffians
 Tyrant/Villain
Clergy