Realism/Naturalism

The Victorian Era

The Victoria Era is defined by the reign of Victoria, Queen of

the United Kingdom of Britain and Ireland. However, she

ruled over the vast, worldwide British Empire. She ascended

the throne in June 1837 and ruled until her death on January

22, 1901. According to “Remembering The Victorian Era,”

“scholars include years as far back as 1830 when

contemplating this time period” (para. 1).

The period is important to American literature because the thinking of time influenced life around the

world, not just in the United Kingdom. “Remembering The Victorian Era” goes on to explain that there

was “tremendous scientific progress and ideas” (2), and there was advancement is many areas that

ultimately led to the world we live in today:

Science and Technology:

“Darwin took his Voyage of the Beagle, and posited the Theory of Evolution. The Great

Exhibition of 1851 took place in London, showing off the technical and industrial advances of the

age. Progress in medicine and the physical sciences continued throughout the century” (2).

Furthermore, “the Victorians invented the modern idea of invention -- the notion that one can

create solutions to problems, that man can create new means of bettering himself and his

environment” (6).

Society and Economics:

“The Industrial Revolution created a consumer economy and a

huge middle class with purchasing power. This new middle class

felt that they had arrived at a higher social plane of existence” (3),

and “specialized clubs were forming [as the] Industrial Revolution

brought the possibility of leisure to many and those who could

indulge leisure hobbies did so with great enthusiasm” (4).

Specifically for the United States, the era “was filled with social, economic, and scientific change . . . . The citizens approached those changes in the enthusiastic manner for which Americans were known. They made their decisions and choices based on what they knew, what they expected, and what they hoped for at that time. They were not much different from us today” (7).

Queen Victoria of England, Empress of India, by Alexander Bassano, 1882.

in the National Portrait Gallery, London

Queen Victoria, portrait by George Hayter, 1860

Works Cited

Bassano, Alexander. Queen Victoria. 1882. National Portrait Gallery. London. National Portrait

Gallery. Web. 21 Dec. 2014.

Haytor, George. Queen Victoria. 1860. The National Archives, London. The National Archives,

Government At Collection. Web. 21 Dec. 2014.

“Remembering The Victorian Era.” Mountain Messenger. National Park Service. Summer/Fall

2010. Web. 21 Dec. 2014.