The Reflection of Victorian Britain in Literature
Queen Victoria reigned in Britain between 1937-1901. During this time in British history a large degree of change occurred. The writers of the time often reflected these substantial changes in their literature focusing on the interests of society.
I have studied a variety of literature from the Victorian period and have chosen to write about three particular pieces; 'The Signalman' by
Charles Dickens (a short story), the novel 'Frankenstein' by Mary
Shelley and another short story called 'The Tell Tale Heart' by Edgar
Allen Poe.
At the point when these stories were written, there were a wide range of issues touching society. However, for the benefit of this essay I am only
…show more content…
However Dr Frankenstein wasn't prepared for the result he achieved, `It's unearthly ugliness rendered it almost too horrible for human eyes`. Without giving the monster a chance, Dr Frankenstein flees, abandoning his creation, leaving it to fend for itself. When the monster goes out into society, people attack him with knives and dogs, they won't give him a chance either.
Underneath his ugly exterior features was a `Soul glowing with love and humanity`.
The monster is forced to take refuge in the mountains nearby because he is scared of society. `What hope can I gather from your fellow-creatures, who owe me nothing? They spurn and hate me`. The monster has committed no evil; `The desert mountains and dreary glaciers are my refuge. I have wandered here many days; the caves of ice, which I only do not fear are a dwelling to me, and the only one which man does not grudge. The monster lives a solitary life until he meets a blind person, who obviously can't judge him on his looks but purely on his personality, of which is `Benevolent and good`. The monster found some love, something he had been looking for, for a long time. Perhaps he could begin to lead a fairly normal, happy life. His newly found happiness and security, however doesn't last long. A member of the public discovers his place of hiding and believes he will try to harm the blind person. Once again society turns against him. He is left with no-one, no-one wants him, and no-one cares.
The world today consists of children roaming the streets, technology taking over the world, and being able to work wherever you'd like but, could you imagine a life without all these things? Believe it or not there was a time in life where these things were very uncommon to see. This would be known as the victorian era. This time period was between 1837 and 1901. Daily life was very different from now. Health, social classes, and fashion are just three examples of how daily life was different in the victorian era.
As the new world struggled to gain impendence from its mother country, Britain, native authors also try to develop their own style of writings. It quickly became evident that the search for a native literature became a national obsession. Then with the triumph of American independence, many at the time saw this as a divine sign that America and her people were destined for greatness. Greatness came with a strong nation and thousands of poems and stories that still shape our nation. The recent revolution greatly expressed the heart of the American people. However, it would take another fifty years of development throughout American before it produced the first great generation of American writers such as, Washington Irving, Ralph
When I think of America, I think of freedom. We live in a country where we can do what we choose. We can express our opinions and live our own lives. Individuals can form their own individual beliefs and they can do what they want and pursue what they wish. They can play basketball, go to school, get a job, have a family, buy a house, or go to church. We are free. We have opportunity to be whatever we want to make ourselves. When you ask, what is an American? I find it no different to ask, what is freedom? America and freedom are intertwined and this relationship is evident in American literature.
This essay originally titled Studying Literature in Grade 12, has an abundance of information regarding and convincing the readers that the grade twelve English course should be composed of Canadian literature. The grammar in this essay however, was weak. The subject did not agree to their pronouns, making many sentences awkward. Overall, improvements could have been made. Some of these include MLA format, the title, introduction paragraph, grammar, punctuation and the citation format.
“During my first experiment, a kind of enthusiastic frenzy had blinded me to the horror of my employment; my mind was intently fixed on the consummation of my labour, and my eyes were shut to the horror of my proceedings. But now I went to it in cold blood, and my heart often sickened at the work of my hands.” (Shelley, 178) The Romantic Movement began in the 1970’s and ended in the 1850’s. One of the key ideas shared by Romantics was that a literal and metaphorical return to nature was necessary. They believed that the individual was the most important part of society. Romantics rejected the Scientific and Industrial Revolution. They believed that cities prevented individuals from discovering the sublime. Mary Shelley’s Romantic and Gothic novel, Frankenstein, opens with a series of letters from Robert Walton, an explorer, to his sister. Throughout these letters, Victor Frankenstein’s story is told. He was born into a wealthy family, and studies at a well-known school, where he develops an interest in biology. Eventually, Frankenstein is able to bring corpse back to life. He is horrified by his creation and abandons the monster. The monster eventually kills everyone that Frankenstein loves and in doing so, he also indirectly kills Victor. The monster then feels guilty and kills himself. Frankenstein reflects the Romantic views of Mary Shelly. There are many Romantic elements in Frankenstein. There is the evident dehumanization of the Industrial Revolution. Shelley also
Literature in the 1920's reflected the uncertainty of the period. Literature in the 1920's reflected the uncertainty of the period in two major ways. This major ways are that the writers reflected society's concerns and thinkers reacted to the uncertainties.
The most memorable gothic novels of the Victorian era are impressive due to their appealing characters and eerie plotlines. The memorable Gothic story of Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley, greatly emphasizes the incredible creation of Victor Frankenstein’s monster, which greatly distinguishes her publication from others of its generation due to the monster’s unique characteristics and expressions of personality. The monster is known to cause destruction within the lives of Victor and his family, but these actions seem to have a justified cause. Within Shelly’s exceptional novel, the horrific monster is intentionally displayed as the victim with a troubled past in order for readers to sympathize with the circumstances of the monster’s creation,
Trapped in the depths of an arctic winter, there’s more to fear than just the cold.
William Wordsworth’s poem, “Composed A Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey, On Revisiting The Banks Of The Wye During A Tour. July 13, 1798” (also known as simply, “Tintern Abbey”), was included in the book Lyrical Ballads, with a Few Other Poems. This was a joint effort between himself and author Samuel Taylor Coleridge. “Tintern Abbey” remains one of Wadsworth’s most famous poems, and at its printing, the book was completely sold out in two years. The name of the poem reflects the inspiration Wadsworth felt upon visiting the ruins of an old church called Tintern Abbey, with his sister Dorothy.
“A Tale Intended to be After the Fact…” is how Stephan Crane introduced his harrowing story, “The Open Boat,” but this statement also shows that history influences American Literature. Throughout history, there has been a connection among literary works from different periods. The connection is that History, current events, and social events have influenced American Literature. Authors, their literary works, and the specific writing styles; are affected and influenced by the world around them. Authors have long used experiences they have lived through and/or taken out of history to help shape and express in their works. Writing styles are also affected by the current trends and opinions of the period they represent. By reading American
To permit the ice to remain would mean sore feet. It did not know this. It merely obeyed the mysterious prompting that arose from the deep crypts of its being.” The dog is able to quickly recover from the fall
There is a physical response to your fear, call the Fight or Flight response. These reactions exist in all humans, activated by stress. But a third response, esoteric and known to few, the Freeze. In Chinua Achebe’s Things
The blizzard is coming. The blizzard is coming, and it will freeze everything in its path. The blizzard is coming, and it will blind everyone in its way.
The portrayal of men and women has varied in different stories throughout history. Many portray women as beautiful, deceptive, manipulative, and smart, while men are portrayed as being strong, masculine, and easily tricked. In many of the works covered in the course “Major British Writers to 1800,” men are advised to refrain from acting lustful, believed that it would harm their overall ability to succeed in whatever the characters aimed to do. An example of this is seen in “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight” when Gawain is deceived by Lady Bertilak in an effort to prove that Sir Gawain is imperfect. The depictions of men and women are very similar in Fantomina by Eliza Haywood, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, and Phyllis and Aristotle. .