The Reign of Queen Victoria and the Victorian novel

In a nutshell

The Reign of Queen Victoria started in 1837 and finished in 1901 and it was the longest in England's history. During her reign, England solidified as a powerful, wealthy, and politically stable country. In addition, the Victorian Age gave rise to the development and popularity of literature, especially the British novel. Authors such as Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, and Oscar Wilde are icons of Victorian novels.

Queen Victoria's Reign

Queen Victoria ascended to the throne in 1837 and her reign is associated with England's expansion, social reforms, and growth, for example, the Ten Hours Act of 1847, which limited working hours to ten a day for all workers. She was strongly supported by the Nation since people shared her religious and moral views.

The reign of Queen Victoria was so successful because she reigned constitutionally, avoided the wave of revolution in 1848, and maintained a balance with the Parliament and political parties. The two main political parties during her reign were the Liberals (ex-Whigs) and the Conservatives. 

Queen Victoria's rule also witnessed working-class movements such as 'People's Charter' in 1838, which promoted the extension of the right to vote to all male adults and called for social reforms. However, its demands were refused by the House of Commons, and the movement slowly disappeared. On the other hand, Britain was also prepared to protect its trading routes, the First Opium War against China (1839-1842) gained Britain access to five Chinese ports and the control of Hong Kong. Britain was also supportive during the Crimean War and dealt with a dangerous crisis in India in 1857.

LIFE UNDER THE VICTORIAN RULE

By the middle of the 19th century Britain had become mostly an urban environment. The cities were crowded and housing was generally accompanied by crime, disease, pollution, and terrible working conditions which had terrible consequences on children's health. Despite the effort of The Common Lodging Houses Act and Labouring Classes Lodging Houses Act (1851) to clean up the towns that were affected by cholera and tuberculosis epidemics, the changes were slow and gradual. For every grand public building built by the Victorians, just around the corner, there were terraced houses and ghettos. 

Other significant changes during this period were the construction of new and modern hospitals and the regulation of medical research and education. Other services were also introduced, such as water, gas, paved roads, places for entertainment, and lighting. In 1829, Prime Minister Robert Peel established the Metropolitan Police to keep cities under control and prevent urban problems.

The Victorian Novel

The Victorian Age gave rise to literature in a significant way, a great deal of Victorian literature was published in periodicals which allowed the sensation of a connection between the writer and the reader. The novel became the most famous form of literature and entertainment since novels were read aloud within the family. 

Novelists felt they had the social and moral responsibility to depict the social changes that occurred during the time, such as the Industrial Revolution, the struggle for democracy, and the growth of towns. Additionally, denounce and criticize the evil and injustices of society to make people aware of social unfairness. 

It is important to highlight that many Victorian novels were published by women. This output is surprising due to women's subjection during that time, but, it is not surprising considering most novel-buyers and readers were women, since they spent more time at home than men. Though, it was not so simple to publish since creative writing, art, and public activities were considered 'masculine', therefore, some women used a male pseudonym to see their work in print. 

Part of the Victorian writing themes began with the exploration of daily life and values of women within society in the works of Jane Austen and George Elliot. Then, social and humanitarian novels, whose main representative was Charles Dicken, to psychological novels with the works of Emily and Charlotte Brönte. The late-Victorian novel was closer to the development of 'Naturalism', a more scientific view at human behavior, represented by writers such as Thomas Hardy, Robert Louis Stevenson, and Oscar Wilde.

LITERARY ELEMENTS

The main features of the Victorian novel are the following: