The Victorian Age which was started in 1837 with the succession of the crown of queen Victoria, was the age of duality and contradictions. Duality in literature, science, religion, society and life surrounded the period. In one hand, there were a strict perception of religion and moral on the other hand there were prostitutes and child laborers. The economical contradiction was also at the top of its age. While the industrial revolution was actualizing, the class structure of England capsized.
This caused a problem for Parliament, because before the Industrial revolution people were generally evenly spread across the country. Yet, the rapid population growth in these cities had led to misrepresentation in parliament. Despite voting rights, and misrepresentation being serious issues, the fear of revolution is truly what forced parliaments hand. As a result of the French Revolution, the British government feared public unrest could lead to a revolution of their own. In the end, the 1832 Reform Act was eventually passed in the interests of British Parliament, and the existing voters, who all maintained power as a result.
During the nineteenth century, the authors of the time exposed major flaws of their society. Moreover, this made a huge impact on the English life and their beliefs. Furthermore, this period was known as the Victorian Era; its name came from the royal mother of England, Queen Victoria. Queen Victoria’s reign began in 1837 and ended in 1901. In addition, preceding this period was the Romantic Movement, which makes it hard for people to know when it is that the Victorian era starts and where the Romantic Movement ends, this is due to how much they had in common.
The prime difficulty during this time was not only the constant struggles between the gap of the rich and the poor, but also the extreme fights towards power and wealth. In 1873 Mark Twain and Charles Dudley Warner wrote a novel which was based on the satirization of the nations political corruption during post-Civil War. Mark and Charles then named the novel “The Gilded Age” Which is now the name of that specific era. Their inspiration for the name “Gilded Age” came from the procedure of applying gold leaf to stone, wood, or any substance that didn't have much value to it in order make it look more deluxe or elegant like. Twain and Warner felt that the name symbolized their idea of the late 19th century to be only golden on the surface, but when one would dig
The Second Revolution, or “Gilded Age” was an age where the high social class rose higher and higher, and the low class stayed low; this was aided by the idea of Social Darwinism epitomized by Andrew Carnegie and John D. Rockefeller, and their integration strategies forced the rest of American citizens through economic depressions. To begin, the Second Industrial Revolution altered the course of industry and the economy forever. It was a movement from America being a self-sufficient producer, such as a farmer, to
The cost of poor relief rose and critics of the established poor relief system felt it favoured idleness and that outdoor relief was influencing wages. It was viewed that as a result of relief, independent labourers had poorer living conditions that that of people in receipt of assistance. (3) Liberalist ideology underpinned the creation of Poor Laws and their implementation in Ireland. This ideology
INTRODUCTION “I’d rather see myself dead then with your family.” A mean old mister named scrooge doesn't like any holiday that is joyful. Especially this one holiday that everyone loves to celebrate called christmas. “ They owe me money and i will collect it, i will have them jailed if i have too. They owe me money and i will collect what is due me. If i could work my will every idiot who goes about with Merry Christmas on his lips should be boiled with his own pudding and buried with a stake of holly through his heart.” In a Christmas Carol Ebenezer Scrooge showed he didn't care about anyone or anything.
Wuthering Heights is a symbol of the dangers of social and gender hierarchy in Victorian England. Multiple characters over the course of the novel are often looked as inferior due to their race or gender. Heathcliff, the main character was repeatedly called racial slurs such as “gypsy.” These vile acts caused him to be consumed by hate in his later life and seek revenge instead of happiness that was offered to him. Proving that prejudice and injustice can negatively influence the rest of someone’s life. This drives many of the characters to reach for a higher standing in society and to reject their past identities.
The Victorian Age has been a period of great contradictions. In fact, even if people witnessed to one of the most progressive age in history (intellectually and technologically speaking), society was still characterized by bigot conventions. George Eliot captures this complex age, by describing the way of life of the emerging middle class. Particularly interesting, is the way she portrays gender roles and stereotypes. While men find freedom and power in economic success, women become even more subjected and alienated.
It’s a tale of crime and guilt, revenge and reward. Mr. Dickens could be considered one of the most important authors in the 19th century. His influence goes far beyond literature. Among the things he left us he gave us a white Christmas concept along with Prince Albert’s Christmas tree, and a description of England’s poverty. Also, modern character comedies and the way he used to do live readings fill with humor and performance, a big influence in the cinema industry, the development of the meaningful names of the characters, and his particular view of the law against the poor.