Literary Characteristics of Victorian Age

 Assignment: literary Characteristics of Victorian Age 

Paper No  : 105 History of English literature form 1350 - 1900

 Topic : literary Characteristics of Victorian Age 

Name : Sangita Kantariya 

Roll No : 20 

Enrollment No: 4069206420210015

Semester : 01

Year : 2021-22 

Submitted by : S.B. gardi 

   Department of English, MKBU 

Introduction

Victorian period is one of the remarkable periods of English literature.  It is named according to Queen Victoria. It is said that the Victorian period is the second Renaissance of England.  We get sundry Characteristics of this era such as the conflict between science and Religion, imperialism, industrialization, materialistic  outlooking, adventure, presence of women in all sectors, the domination of novels but fluency of poetry, and so on. 

Literary Characteristics of Victorian Age 

The Conflict Between Science and Religion 

Main features of this era that is the  Conflict between science and Religion.  In this period, science was expanded so much. All men of this era were moving away from Religion.  At that time Charles Robert Darwin wrote a scientific book, "On the Origin of Special."  Darwin suggested that men are originated from monkey.  This kind of theory and scientific  invention moved away from the faith of people from religion to other sides. 

Imperialism 

Imperialism was expanded in the Victorian Age. Imperialism means a policy of extending a country  power and influence through  colonization.  Asia and Africa were ruled by the force of Imperialism.  We get its description in "Heart of Darkness " (1899)  by Joseph Conrad . In this novel, the dark sides of Imperialism have been described. 

Industrialization 

Industrialization is a feature of the victorian period.  In this era, the industry was expanded by the hand of scientific invention.  Many factories were rapidly created in this age.  Victorian society was attracted by Industrialization.  Industrialization  created social classes like Lower class, middle class, and upper class in society.  All the figures of the victorian era express their opinion about  Industrialization.  Alfred, lord Tennyson  pointed out it in "Locksley Hall." Charles Dickens  pointed out it in "Oliver Twist ", " Hard times " , "A Christmas Carol." 

Excessive Meterialism 

Materialistic outlooking is a feature of the victorian period. In this period, all men were groaning toward collecting wealth. We get its description in contemporary writers writing.  Alfred, lord Tennyson pointed out it in "Locksley Hall." George Eliot  pointed out it in " Silas marner." Charles Dickens pointed out it in "Great Expectations."

Adventurous life

Adventure is a feature of the victorian period.  Adventure means an unusual, exciting, or daring experience.  In this period, all men loved adventure.  We get its description in  Alfred, lord Tennyson  poem , "Ulysses " , Matthew Arnold's poem, " The scholar gypsy" , Lewis Caroll's novel , "Alice's Adventure in wonderland."

Contribution of women in all sectors 

Women position in all sectors is a feature of the victorian period.  In this period, women were active in literature.  They wrote some prominent novels, essays, poems, etc like male figures. According to critics, Charles Dickens is the king of the Victorian novels. But a female novelist surpasses the popularity of Charles Dickens.  Her name is Ellen wood and her famous work is "East Lynn."  She was a very popular figure because of her sensation novel. It means melodramatic representation. 

Domination of novels 

Domination of novels but fluency of poetry is also a feature of the Victorian period.  This age is Dominated by novelist but poets are not less than novelists. According to critics, the  Victorian Age is the age of novels.

Achievement 

The Oxford movement 

This movement took place in the nineteenth century.  It was an outcome of a long controversy and ideological conflict amongst different Christian sects and churches and therefore it may be called a religious movement.  It's name was Oxford movement as it was centered at the University of Oxford that sought a renewal of catholic or Roman catholic, thought and practice within the Church of England in opposition to the protestant tendencies of the church.  This movement is also called Tractarianism movement as it was carried throughout the tracts and pamphlets. The origin of the Oxford movement can be traced to the opposition of the scientific discoveries against age old religious beliefs and faiths. The aim of the movement was to rehabilitate the dignity of the church, to defend the church against the interference of the state, to fight against rationalism.

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