Victorian Era

Definition

The Victorian Era refers to the period of Queen Victoria's reign from 1837 to 1901 in the United Kingdom, characterized by significant industrial, cultural, political, scientific, and military changes. This time saw the rise of the British Empire, the expansion of the middle class, and notable developments in art and literature, all of which influenced storytelling and narrative forms in film and television.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Victorian Era saw unprecedented industrial growth that transformed Britain into the world's leading industrial power, leading to urbanization and changes in social structures.
2. This period is known for its distinct moral values, with strict social codes and expectations around gender roles and family life.
3. Literature flourished during this time, with authors like Charles Dickens, George Eliot, and the Brontë sisters exploring social issues through their novels.
4. The Victorian Era was marked by an expansion of the British Empire, with colonies established across Africa, Asia, and the Americas.
5. Technological advancements like the steam engine and telegraph revolutionized communication and transportation, profoundly impacting everyday life.

Review Questions

• How did the Industrial Revolution shape the social landscape during the Victorian Era?
  • The Industrial Revolution fundamentally transformed the social landscape during the Victorian Era by shifting populations from rural areas to cities as people sought jobs in factories. This migration led to rapid urbanization and significant changes in living conditions. New social classes emerged, particularly a growing middle class that influenced cultural norms and values. The era's literature often reflected these changes, highlighting the struggles of industrial workers and the complexities of urban life.
• Discuss how Victorian values influenced literature and storytelling during this time.
  • Victorian values deeply influenced literature and storytelling by promoting themes such as morality, respectability, and social responsibility. Writers like Charles Dickens used their works to critique societal issues while upholding moral lessons. The emphasis on propriety and domesticity also shaped character development and plotlines, often focusing on family dynamics and social reform. These elements laid a foundation for modern narrative forms that still resonate today.
• Evaluate how advancements in technology during the Victorian Era impacted communication and its effects on society.
  • Advancements in technology during the Victorian Era had a profound impact on communication by making information dissemination faster and more accessible. The invention of the telegraph revolutionized long-distance communication, allowing news to travel rapidly across vast distances. This not only fostered a sense of connectedness among people but also played a crucial role in shaping public opinion on various social issues. As a result, these technological changes laid the groundwork for modern media and influenced political movements by enabling quicker organization and mobilization.

Related terms

Industrial Revolution: A major turning point in history that began in the late 18th century and continued into the 19th century, marking the transition to new manufacturing processes and technologies.

Romanticism:

An artistic and intellectual movement that emphasized emotion, nature, and individualism, often reacting against the rationalism of the Enlightenment, prominent during the early Victorian Era.

Social Reform: A series of movements aimed at improving society through changes in laws and policies, focusing on issues like labor rights, education, and women's suffrage during the Victorian Era.