AN ERA OF RAPID CHANGE

The Victorians 1831-1901

Queen Victoria

Queen Victoria and Prince Albert

Queen Victoria ruled for 63 years.

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 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 ArchitectureEnglish 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

RomanticismRomantics 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 TerrainPoor Soil

North Yorkshire Moors From Space

Wuthering Heights

Thrushcross Grange

Under Queen Victoria

RealismFiction 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

SettingThe 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

Tyrant/Villain

Stupid Servant

Clowns

Bandits/Ruffians

Clergy