THE VICTORIAN AGE

(1850-1900)
 HISTORICAL SUMMARY

1. Democracy finally settled.

2. Age of popular education, religious tolerance and

social unrest.

3. Comparative peace.

4. Rapid progress in arts, sciences and mechanical

inventions.
 LITERARY CHARACTERISTICS

• Number of readers
increased.
PROSE • Newspaper, magazine,
modern novel.

• Not purely artistic.

MORAL • Truth to uplift humanity.
PURPOSE • Realism rather than
romance.
THE NOVELISTS
 THE BRONTË SISTERS

 Anne, Emily and Charlotte.

 Forced to become
governesses.
 Published under masculine
pseudonyms.
 CHARLOTTE BRONTË (1816 –
1854)

 “Jane Eyre” (1847)

 Denunciation of boarding
schools.
“Do you think I am an automaton? — a machine without
feelings? and can bear to have my morsel of bread
snatched from my lips, and my drop of living water
dashed from my cup? Do you think, because I am poor,
obscure, plain, and little, I am soulless and heartless? You
think wrong! — I have as much soul as you — and full as
much heart! And if God had gifted me with some beauty
and much wealth, I should have made it as hard for you
to leave me, as it is now for me to leave you. I am not
talking to you now through the medium of custom,
conventionalities, nor even of mortal flesh: it is my spirit
that addresses your spirit; just as if both had passed
through the grave, and we stood at God's feet, equal —
as we are!”
 EMILY BRONTË (1818 – 1848)

“Wuthering Heights”
(1847)

Controversy because of
depiction of mental and
physical cruelty.
“He entered, vociferating oaths dreadful to hear; (…)

'There, I've found it out at last!' cried Hindley, pulling me back by the
skin of my neck, like a dog. (…) I shall make you swallow the carving-
knife, Nelly! (…)

'But I don't like the carving-knife, Mr. Hindley,' I answered; 'it has been
cutting red herrings. I'd rather be shot, if you please.‘

'You'd rather be damned!' he said; 'and so you shall. No law in England

can hinder a man from keeping his house decent, and mine's
abominable! Open your mouth.' He held the knife in his hand, and
pushed its point between my teeth: but, for my part, I was never much
afraid of his vagaries. I spat out, and affirmed it tasted detestably - I
would not take it on any account.”
Why did you betray your own heart Cathy? I have not one
word of comfort. You deserve this. You have killed yourself.
… You loved me – then what right had you to leave me?
Because … nothing God or Satan could inflict would have
parted us, you, of your own will, did it.

I have not broken your heart – you have broken it; and in
breaking it, you have broken mine. So much the worse for me
that I am strong. Do I want to live? What kind of living will it be
when you – oh God! would you like to live with your soul in
the grave? […] I forgive what you have done to me. I love my
murderer – but yours! How can I?
CHARLES DICKENS (1812 – 1870)

Poor and suffering child.

Worked in blacking
factory.

Worked as a reporter.
 WORKS BY CHARLES DICKENS

 The Pickwick Papers 1836

 Oliver Twist 1837
 Nicholas Nickleby 1838
 The Old Curiosity Shop 1840
 David Copperfield 1849
 Bleak House 1852
 A Tale of Two Cities 1859
 Great Expectations 1860
 The Mystery of Edwin Drood 1870
 LITERATY CHARACTERISTICS

1. Literature close to daily life.

2. Tendency strongly ethical.

3. Influence of science over truth and imagination.

4. Materialism.
 Plots

 Who is the main character?

 What are his origins?

 What kind of difficulties does he face?

 Who helps him?

 How does the story end?