Understanding Victorian Literature: Context & Concepts

Summary

This video explores the context and key concepts of Victorian literature, highlighting the era's socio-economic and scientific shifts. It delves into themes of realism, naturalism, and the tension between public morality and private behavior, exemplified by authors like Charles Dickens, George Eliot, and Thomas Hardy. The video also examines the impact of scientific advancements like Darwinism on religion, the crisis of faith among Victorians, and the moral dilemmas posed in works such as *Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde* and *Middlemarch*. A compelling overview for students seeking to understand the complexities of 19th-century literature.

Takeaways

• 😀 Victorian literature was deeply influenced by the social, economic, and intellectual changes of the 19th century, including the rise of the middle class and British imperialism.
• 😀 Realism, a key literary style of the period, aimed to portray life as it truly was, with authors like George Eliot focusing on minute social details to reflect broader societal truths.
• 😀 Naturalism, a more pessimistic branch of realism, highlighted the forces of fate and the helplessness of individuals in the face of uncontrollable circumstances, as seen in Thomas Hardy’s works.
• 😀 Victorian authors often explored the tension between public morality and private immorality, depicting characters who maintained a facade of respectability while hiding moral failings.
• 😀 Works like Robert Louis Stevenson’s *Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde* and Browning’s *My Last Duchess* illustrate the sharp contrast between outward appearances and the darker inner lives of their characters.
• 😀 The Victorian era saw a growing sense of religious doubt, especially with the rise of scientific theories like Darwinism, which challenged traditional religious beliefs.
• 😀 Writers like Matthew Arnold suggested that while science lacked emotional depth, literature and culture could offer a new source of spiritual solace, challenging the authority of religion.
• 😀 The moral and social conflicts of the period often centered around the hypocrisy of Victorian values, as individuals struggled to maintain their reputation while concealing their private actions.
• 😀 Victorian poetry, as exemplified by poets like Alfred Lord Tennyson and Robert Browning, explored themes of loss, faith, and the complex nature of morality.
• 😀 The crisis of faith during the Victorian era was mirrored in both poetry and prose, with many writers, including Gerard Manley Hopkins and Christina Rossetti, grappling with religious skepticism and personal loss.
• 😀 The influence of the Victorian era extended beyond literature, with significant cultural shifts toward capitalism, industrialization, and the growing influence of the middle class.

Q & A

What is the significance of the Victorian era in the context of literature?

The Victorian era (1837–1901) is significant because it produced some of the greatest works in English literature. It was a time of economic prosperity, social change, and rapid industrialization, which influenced the themes and styles of the literature produced during this period. The rise of the middle class and the spread of literacy also created a thriving literary marketplace.

How did the Victorian era contribute to the rise of the novel?

The Victorian era saw the rise of the novel due to a combination of factors, including increased literacy among the middle class, the growth of circulating libraries, and the rise of serialized fiction in magazines. This made novels more accessible and popular with the public, turning books into a major commercial enterprise.

What is realism in Victorian literature, and how is it exemplified by George Eliot?

Realism in Victorian literature refers to the accurate depiction of everyday life, focusing on ordinary people and situations. George Eliot's *Middlemarch* exemplifies this with detailed descriptions of characters and settings, such as Dorothea Brooke's bonnet, which symbolizes her independent nature. Realist narrators often include detailed, self-conscious commentary to ensure the truth of the representation.

What is the difference between realism and naturalism in Victorian literature?

Realism focuses on accurately depicting life as it is, emphasizing ordinary experiences, while naturalism takes this further by emphasizing the grim, deterministic aspects of life, such as fate and environment. Naturalism often portrays characters as victims of forces beyond their control, as seen in Thomas Hardy's novels like *Tess of the d'Urbervilles*, where characters face tragic, uncontrollable events.

How did Charles Dickens use social realism in his works?

Charles Dickens used social realism to highlight the exploitation and mistreatment of the poor, often through vivid, exaggerated characters that symbolize social issues. For example, in *Hard Times*, the character of Mr. Gradgrind represents the cold, utilitarian mindset that neglects the emotional and educational needs of children, criticizing the dehumanizing effects of industrialization.

What themes are explored in the works of Thomas Hardy, particularly in *Tess of the d'Urbervilles*?

Thomas Hardy's works, such as *Tess of the d'Urbervilles*, explore themes of fate, fatalism, and the harshness of life. His characters often suffer due to uncontrollable circumstances, such as Tess being ruined by a single immoral act. Hardy’s naturalistic approach emphasizes how individuals are powerless in the face of random, often tragic, events.

What role does Victorian morality play in the literature of the era?

Victorian morality, which emphasized prudence, restraint, and public respectability, is often critiqued in literature for its hypocrisy. Writers exposed the tension between public virtue and private vice, as seen in works like *Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde* and *My Last Duchess*, where outwardly respectable characters are revealed to have dark, immoral secrets.

How does *Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde* explore the theme of duality in Victorian society?

*Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde* explores the theme of duality by presenting the character of Dr. Jekyll, who outwardly represents moral respectability, and his alter ego, Mr. Hyde, who embodies the darker, more immoral aspects of his personality. This reflects the Victorian anxiety over the potential for hidden depravity beneath the veneer of respectability.

What was the impact of Darwinism on religious belief during the Victorian era?

Darwinism, particularly the theory of evolution, challenged traditional religious beliefs about creation and humanity’s origins, leading to a rise in religious skepticism. Many Victorians struggled to reconcile scientific explanations with their faith, resulting in a broader crisis of belief, which is reflected in the works of poets like Gerard Manley Hopkins and Tennyson.

How did the crisis of faith affect Victorian writers like Gerard Manley Hopkins and Matthew Arnold?

The crisis of faith, exacerbated by the rise of scientific theories like Darwinism, deeply affected writers like Gerard Manley Hopkins and Matthew Arnold. Hopkins explored spiritual doubt and abandonment by God in his poetry, while Arnold believed that culture, rather than religion, could provide the emotional depth that science lacked. This period saw a shift from traditional religious beliefs toward a more secular worldview in literature.