The Victorian Age

THE VICTORIAN AGE AND ITS
IMPORTANCE
INTRODUCTION
The Victorian Era is an age of British history spanning the 64-year
reign of Queen Victoria (1837-1901). It is one of the longest reigns in
the history of England. In the year 1837, Queen Victoria succeeded
William the IV on the throne of Great Britain and Ireland. The period
is marked by many important social and historical changes that
altered the nation in many ways. This era saw advancements in
technology, like the steam engine, which fueled urbanization and
altered daily life. Social class structures were prominent, but the
period also initiated reforms in labor laws, public health, and
education. Literature, too, flourished, with authors like Charles
Dickens, the Brontë sisters, and Thomas Hardy highlighting social
issues and complexities of human nature. The Victorian Age laid
foundations for modern Britain, influencing art, architecture,
science, and societal norms across the world.
Historical Perspective of the Victorian Period

The period is known for economic progress, poverty and
exploitation. The gap between the rich and the poor grew wide and
with drive for material and commercial success there appeared a
kind of a moral decay in the society. The Victorian era saw a wild
growth of industries and factories. One very important factor of the
age was its stress on morality. A feminine code of conduct was
imposed on them which described every aspect of their being from
the proper apparels to how to converse, everything had rules. The
role of the women was mostly that of being angels of the house and
restricted to domestic confines. They were financially dependent on
their husbands and fathers and it led to a commercialization of the
institution of marriage.
Growth of Victorian Age:

After the romantic revival, the literature of the Victorian age entered
in a new period. The Literature of this period express the fusion of
romanticism to realism. The Victorian age is rich in literature. It
produced two great poets like Tennyson and Browning; dramatists
like Shaw and Galsworthy; novelists like Charles Dickens and Hardy
and essayist like Carlyle and Stevenson. The age is remarkable for
the excellence of its literature.
Victorian Poetry:
The Victorian Period produced many great poets. These include
Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Robert Browning, and Alfred Tennyson.
ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING
Elizabeth Barrett Browning is celebrated as one of the most

prominent English poets of the Victorian era. Her fame stems from
her deeply emotive, socially aware poetry, as well as her
contributions to the feminist and abolitionist movements.
Browning’s work is known for its exploration of love, faith, and social
justice. Some of her most famous poems include:
1. "Sonnet 43" (Sonnets from the Portuguese) – Also known by its first
line, "How do I love thee? Let me count the ways," this sonnet is one of
her most iconic love poems and remains a popular expression of love
today.
2. "The Cry of the Children" – This powerful poem denounces the
exploitation of child labor and expresses her deep concern for social
reform.
Victorian Novel:
The most prominent novelists of the period are Charles Dickens and
Thomas Hardy. Dickens is the great novelist. He makes the minute
study of the whole mankind. He presents lively picture of human
society. Dickens, “David Copperfield” is a representative novel in
the sense that it throws light on the prevailing conditions of
Victorian society. It is a social document that brings to light
miserable condition of boarding-houses, women education, child
labor and social injustice. Dickens is a social thinker working in the
line of a social reformer.
Thomas Hardy published this novel in 1891 with subtitle-a pure
woman. Tess of the d’Urbervilles is a young girl, who is raped by
Alec D’Urbervilles. She gets pregnant, but the baby dies. It raises a
question how such a woman may be called a pure woman. But
Hardy proves it. She later falls in love with Angel Clare, but he
deserts her. Alec assures her that Angel would not come back. Her
family starves and she becomes a mistress to Alec. But Angel
comes back and Tess murders Alec and spends a few moments of
love with Angel before she is arrested to be hanged.
Early Feminism and Women’s
Rights
• Victorian women were largely confined to the domestic
sphere and were denied the same legal rights as men.
The early feminist movement sought to challenge these
constraints and improve women's social, legal, and
economic status.
• Legal Rights: The Married Women’s Property Acts of
1870 and 1882 were major victories, allowing married
women to own and control property and wages
independently of their husbands.
• The Suffrage Movement: Although the right to vote
wasn’t fully won until the 20th century, Victorian-era
feminists like Lydia Becker and Millicent Fawcett began
laying the groundwork for women’s suffrage. The
National Society for Women’s Suffrage was established
in 1867, marking the beginning of organized efforts for
voting rights.
IMPORTANCE
The Victorian Age was immensely important because it
shaped many aspects of modern society, from social values
and political structures to technological progress and
cultural developments. Here’s why this period remains
significant:
1. Industrialization and Technological

Advancements
• The Victorian Age was a high point in the Industrial Revolution,
transforming economies from agrarian to industrialized.
Factories, steam engines, railways, and telegraphs
revolutionized production, communication, and
transportation.
• These advancements established the foundations of the
modern industrialized world, creating a shift that influences
today’s global economy, manufacturing practices, and
technological growth.
2. Development of Modern Institutions

• Many modern institutions, such as organized police forces,
public schools, and health services, were formalized or
expanded during the Victorian Age. The development of these
institutions reflects the era’s commitment to social order,
education, and public welfare.
In sum, the Victorian Age was a transformative period that
shaped much of the modern world. Its technological,
cultural, and social innovations continue to influence
contemporary society, while its literature, moral ideals, and
reforms provide a lasting legacy in areas ranging from urban
planning and gender equality to public health and popular
culture

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THE VICTORIAN AGE AND ITS

Historical Perspective of the Victorian Period

Growth of Victorian Age:

ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING

Elizabeth Barrett Browning is celebrated as one of the most

1. Industrialization and Technological

2. Development of Modern Institutions

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