The major literatures written in english outside the british isles are treated separately under american literature, australian literature, canadian literature, and new zealand literature. Our study of victorian literature includes 1 the life and works of the two greater poets of the age, tennyson and browning. Nearly all observers of the victorian age are struck by its extreme deference to the conventions. Nov 09, 2014 the victorian age the victorian era of british history was the period of queen victorias reign from 1837 until her death in 1901. Historians, philosophers, and scientists were all beginning to apply the idea of evolution to new areas of study of the human experience. It was preceded by romanticism and followed by the edwardian era 19011910. The norton anthology of english literature is an anthology of english literature published by the w. Historical background of victorian age english literature essay. Adam mickiewicz published his first collection of poems ballads and romances marking the beginning of romanticism in polish literature. The anglosaxon period the earliest time 1066 social background. England was moving steadily in the direction of becoming europe. Poets of this time include robert and elizabeth barrett browning, christina rossetti, alfred lord tennyson, and matthew arnold, among others. The victorian age began with the first reform act 1832, a great social achievement una grande conquista sociale.
Victorian literature 4 science, philosophy and discovery charles darwins work on the origin of species affected society and thought in the victoria era, and still does today. The novel as a genre was initially seen as feminine literature and as the literacy rate among women increased, a new need for women writers catering to this segment was answered by these writers. The first is to create or to encourage in every student the desire to read the best books, and to know literature itself rather than what has been written about literature. Victorian literature an overview ap english literature.
Beowulf, the earliest literature, the national epic of. In this article on the history of english literature. The renaissance period in english literature is also called the elizabethan period or the age of shakespeare. This period is marked by the imitation of virgil and horaces literature in english letters. Victorian era although queen victoria did not ascend to the throne until 1837, it is common to refer to the victorian era as beginning in 1832, the year of both the first reform bill and the death of sir walter scott, a major writer of the romantic era.
Grundy the oxford illustrated history of english literature, oup, 1987. The victorian age represents the final stage of what a number of scholars have come to call middle modernity. The movement roughly comprises the years from 1830 to 1900, though there is ample disagreement regarding even this simple point. The middle ages in europe were followed by the renaissance. The old english language or anglosaxon is the earliest form of english. A history of victorian literature wiley online books. Literary study involves not only the reading of books and the consideration of them on abstract aesthetic grounds, but also a study of the outward manifestations of the spirit of the ages. English literature seemed to have entered upon a period of lean years. When victoria came on the throne of england in 1837, english literature seemed to have. History of english literature notes english summary. Beowulf, the earliest literature, the national epic of the anglosaxon,one of the striking features the use of alliteration. Hindi lecture on restoration age and neoclassical age fornta net, dsssb,tgt, pgt, kv, lt grade exams duration.
You have been asked by your schools history club to write an article about the living conditions in. English literature, the body of written works produced in the english language by inhabitants of the british isles including ireland from the 7th century to the present day. Queen victorias reign 18371901 was the longest in the history of england. Our study of victorian literature includes 1 the life and works of the two greater poets of the age. Historical background of victorian age english literature. Her own sense of duty made her the ideal head of a constitutional monarchy. Victorian age in history of english literature youtube. The cambridge history of victorian literature edited by. She is succeeded by edward vii, her eldest son, who reigned until his death in 1910. Victorian age from the palgrave guide to english literature and its contexts, 15002000. Its grandeur does not consist in one thing, but in the unique assemblage of all things.
Know different ages in history of english literature all. This book, which presents the whole splendid history of english literature from anglosaxon times to the close of the victorian era, has three specific aims. Jul 05, 2010 this slideshow introduces the history of english literature. After the second of several visits to the exhibition, she reported to her father. Victorian age 18371901 edwardian age english literature since 1901 modernism 19011939 post modernism 194021st century in this post, all the major ages are focused on. Renaissance means the revival of learning, and it denotes in its broadest sense the gradual enlightenment of the human mind after the darkness of the middle ages. The victorian age and the victorian societyin inglese. Victorian literature literature chegg tutors youtube. Thackeray was born in calcutta, india and was also an important writer but one who expressed his age very differently from dickens and other writers. Victorian women in literature university of craiova.
From the readers guide to british history the victorian period occupies a significant place in the national history curriculum in england. Victorian age 18371901 the victorian era was one of the most important eras in the history of english literature. Wellknown scholars introduce readers to their particular fields, discuss influential critical debates and offer illuminating contextual detail to situate authors and works in their wider cultural and historical contexts. Defining victorian literature in any satisfactory and comprehensive manner has. Nov 28, 2017 victorian age 18371901 the victorian era was one of the most important eras in the history of english literature. Abraham, we find that the period between 1850 1900 is regarded as the victorian period, which is also known as the age of compromise and the age of peace and prosperity. The principal english writers include addison, steele, swift, and alexander pope. It forms a link and transition between the writers of the romantic period and the very different literature of the 20th century. Home history of english literature notes introduction victorian poetry refers to the verses composed during the reign of queen victoria in english 18371901. Longs presentation on the history of english literature from anglosaxon times to the close of the victorian era. The novels of charles dickens, full to overflowing with drama, humor, and an endless variety of vivid characters and plot complications. English language until this time, no real conception of. Jul 18, 2018 this is the most abridged notes on history of english literature. The victorian era was the great age of the english novelrealistic, thickly plotted, crowded with characters, and long.
The victorian age was a time of great prosperity in the history of english literature. Victorian literature an overview victorian literature is the literature produced during the reign of queen victoria 18371901 and corresponds to the victorian era. The victorian era was an important time for the development of science and the victorians had a mission to describe and classify the entire natural world. What are the salient features of the victorian age in english. The sixty years commonly included under the name of the victorian age present many dissimilar features. If you continue browsing the site, you agree to the use of cookies on this website. Since the exam requires candidates to have a wordforword knowledge of certain sources, a thorough. Click download or read online button to get a brief history of english literature book now. Old english literature, or anglosaxon literature, encompasses the surviving literature written in old english in anglosaxon england, in the period after the settlement of the saxons and other germanic tribes in england jutes and the angles c.
During this time, england was undergoing a cultural upheaval read this article to know about the characteristic features of victorian age, characteristics of the victorian era society, victorian age characteristics. While in the preceding romantic period, poetry had been the conquerors, novels were the emperors of the victorian period. Introduction the modern period of progress and unrest when victoria become queen in 1837, english literature seemed to have entered upon a period of lean years, in marked contrast with the poetic fruitfulness of the romantic age which we have just studied. A brief history of english literature download ebook pdf.
Romantic period was the time where the englishmen perpetuated movement for literature, characterized by reliance on the imagination and subjectivity of. It was a long period of peace, prosperity, refined culture, great advancements in technology, and national selfconfidence for britain. This collaborative history aims to become the standard work on victorian literature for the twentyfirst century. English literature late victorian literature britannica.
In 1859 charles darwin had published on the origin of species by means of natural selection. This period was marked by tremendous cultural upheaval. Essay 65 george bernard shaw 24 history of english literature essay 104 history of english literature short questions 142 indian english 56 key facts 1 literary essays 18 literary terms 30 men that keep attention 14 middle english 14 model question 50 modern period 287 neoclassical age 37 new literature 11 novel 3 old english. But the victorian era the 63year period from 18371901 that marked the reign of englands queen victoriaalso saw a demise of rural life as. Small towns were beginning to swell into smoky centres of mnaufacturing industry. Victorian women in literature may hasan srayisah abstract many authors began to write about the sufferings and endurances of women in the victorian age. The norton anthology of english literature wikipedia. Mar 29, 2016 literature that emerged in england during the reign of queen victoria 18371901 was diverse in many ways, and defined to a large extent by the historical era rather than any other. Introduction to victorian and twentiethcentury literature. Pdf a brief introduction into the branches of victorian literature.
The period is a long one and it is generally considered that old english was spoken from about a. English literature english literature late victorian literature. An introduction to the history of english literature. A brief introduction to victorian literature a brief. History of english literature pdf included periods of. The victorian age 18301901 sambourne house, london. Pdf version by solitude among the most important works of this period is the poem beowulf, which has achieved national epic status in britain. Queen victoria, at the age of 18 ruled england continuously for 64 years until her death. Shewastorule for almost 64 years and gave her name to an age of economic and scientiic progress and social reforms. Victorian literature at the university of edinburgh.
History of english literature timeline knowledge merger. The modern age in english literature started from the beginning of the twentieth century, and opposed the socalled hypocritical attitude of the victorian society. The modern spirit, matthew arnold observed in 1865, is now awake. The victorian era the dates of the victorian era 18361901 coincide with queen victorias ascension to the throne and her death.
Introduction to victorian and twentiethcentury literature xxxiii impressions of the spectacle. Victorian period, which encompasses the optimism and progress of englishmen, was the perpetuation of the romantic period s success in fulfilling its aim to obtain change and transformation. A brief history of english literature literary theory and. There were a drastic change and development in the form of literature, art and music. It is a wonderful place vast, strange, new and impossible to describe. If there is one transcending aspect to victorian england life and society, that. Slideshare uses cookies to improve functionality and performance, and to provide you with relevant advertising. He is most noted for his satirical work vanity fair that portrays the many myriads of english society. The following list follows the widespread practice of listing. The victorian era of british history was the period of queen victorias reign from 20. Victorian literature is literature, mainly written in english, during the reign of queen victoria 18371901 the victorian era. The anglosaxon chronicle otherwise proves significant to study of the era, preserving a chronology of early english.
Victorian literature is the literature produced during the reign of queen victoria 18371901 a. The industrial revolution, the railway age, steam engines were being used in mines, factories and ships. It was the ideal form to describe contemporary life and to entertain the middle class. This site is like a library, use search box in the widget to get ebook that you want. Thus in order to appreciate properly the various phases of english literature, knowledge of english social and political history is essential. The biggest social change in english history is the transfer, between 1750 and 1850. A short history of english literature linkedin slideshare. Youll know about the main characteristics of the age of history of english literature. For better understanding and better study, many historians have categorised the entire history of english literature in certain periods. More and more novels focused heavily on traditional, typical victorian female characters and their interactions. It was preceded by romanticism and followed by the edwardian era 19011910 while in the preceding romantic period, poetry had been the conquerors, novels were the emperors of the victorian period. The development of a canon of english literature soon after his death in october 1400 the body of geoffrey chaucer was placed in a modest tomb in the eastern aisle of the north transept of westminster abbey, the coronation church of the english kings. Because the victorian era covers so many years, 1830 1900, it is usually broken down into the early victorian, mid victorian, and late victorian, each of which displays its own characteristics. The victorian era the dates of the victorian era 18361901.
As literature is the reflection of society, the various changes which have come about in english society, from the earliest to the modern time, have left their stamp on english literature. Yes they may vary in terms of dates, names and periods. Victorian poetry refers to the verses composed during the reign of queen victoria in english 18371901. First published in 1962, it has gone through ten editions. The british aristocracy suspected any social reform, because of the. Pdf a brief history of english literature download read.
To download the content in pdf click on the following link. Victorian age and its famous novelists hindi easy explaination and analysis english literature duration. The cambridge history of victorian literature edited by kate. The victorian period is in strong contention with the romantic period for being the most popular, influential, and prolific period in all of english and world literature. Defining victorian literature in any satisfactory and comprehensive manner has proven troublesome for critics ever since the nineteenth century came to a close. The workhouse system in england and wales a workhouse, colloquially known as a spike, was a place where those unable to support themselves were offered accommodation. Victorian era literature characteristics english summary.
1514 392 789 223 729 797 237 952 260 1423 1345 969 228 1001 576 536 1281 1440 96 1120 764 1510 1435 911 447 834 381 523 449 1513 185 1490 1384 1305 1466 862 919 1129 585 95 1399 1120 960 1143 28 580