RIASSUNTO INGLESE THE VICTORIAN AGE

The Victorian age refers to the period of Queen Victoria's reign as the monarch of the United Kingdom. It lasted from June 1837 to January 1901 and it's one of the longest reigns in the history of England. It was a time of significant change and transformation in the United Kingdom, marked by industrialization, urbanization, and the expansion of the British Empire. The Victorian era is known for its strict social norms and moral values, as well as for its cultural developments in literature, art, and architecture. It was also a time of great economic prosperity and political stability, although it also saw significant poverty and social inequality.

In 1837, Queen Victoria succeeded William the IV on the throne of Great Britain and Ireland. This period is marked by many important social and historical changes that affected people and nation in many ways. The population   nearly doubled and the British Empire expanded. The period saw the British Empire grow to become the first global industrial power, producing much of the world's coal, iron, steel and textiles.  

This period is known for economic progress, poverty and exploitation. The gap between the rich and the poor grew wide. 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. 

LITERATURE

The following are the main characteristics of Victorian Age literature:

Realism: Literature of this age comes closer to daily life which reflects its practical problems and interests. It becomes a powerful instrument for human progress.  

Moral Purpose: The Victorian literature seems to assert its moral purpose. Tennyson, Browning, Carlyle, Ruskin-all were the teachers of England with the faith in their moral message to instruct the world. 

Doubts or Contradictory faiths and philosophies: It is often considered as an age of doubt and contradictory faiths and philosophies. The influence of science is felt here. Browning the optimist and Hardy the pessimist are regarded as most popular writers of the age. There is realistic literature with Pre-Raphaelite poetry that believes in “art for art’s sake”. 

Idealism: Though, the age is characterized as practical and materialistic, most of the writers suggest a purely ideal life. It is an idealistic age where the great ideals like truth, justice, love, brotherhood are emphasized by poets, essayists and novelists of the age.