Social Class of the Mid-Victorian Period and its Values

Dossier / Travail , 2007 , 14 Pages , Note: Sehr gut

Philologie Anglaise - Culture et Études de pays

The term “Victorian” remains a living concept in our daily society. The term is related to the reign of Queen Victoria of England from 1837 to 1901. Since it covers a wide time span, the era has been divided into the early-Victorian period (1837-1851), the mid-Victorian period (1851-1875) and the late-Victorian period (1875-1901). “Victorian” is also used today to describe British furniture and architecture made during the greater part of the 19th century. Additionally it refers to British literary works which were written, for instance by Wilkie Collins or Charles Dickens. Furthermore specific social and moral attitudes are associated with the word “Victorian.”
The Victorian age was an age of transition. England was transformed from a feudal and agricultural society into an industrial democracy. Nevertheless the process of the industrial revolution did not only create progress but also problems. One drawback was the hierarchy which was created in the British society leading to a division of people into distinctive social classes. In order to analyze the class distinctions more precisely this term paper concentrates on the specific class divisions that arose especially between the middle class and the working class and on how these differences were characterized. In addition, the three well known Victorian values of the middle and working class, family life, respectability and self-help, are defined and discussed.
Due to the fact that it is not possible to discuss the whole Victorian period as one homogenous era, the discussion of the social classes and their values is restricted to the mid-Victorian period. In order to understand the society in the Victorian era it is necessary to depict a brief overview of the historical circumstances concerning the Victorian society.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Introduction
• Historical Context
• Social Class and Class Distinctions
  • The Aristocracy
  • The Middle Class
  • The Working Class
• Victorian Values
  • The Family
  • Respectability and Self-Help

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This term paper aims to analyze the social class distinctions that arose in mid-Victorian England, particularly between the middle class and the working class, and how these differences were characterized. It also explores three prominent Victorian values of the middle and working class: family life, respectability, and self-help.

• Social class distinctions in mid-Victorian England
• Characteristics of the middle class and working class
• Victorian values of family life, respectability, and self-help
• The impact of industrialization on social structures
• The role of social class in shaping Victorian society

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

The introduction provides an overview of the term "Victorian" and its significance in various contexts, including social, moral, and literary aspects. It highlights the Victorian age as a period of transition marked by the industrial revolution and its consequences, including the emergence of class distinctions. The paper focuses specifically on the mid-Victorian period to analyze these divisions and their associated values.

The chapter on historical context delves into the early, mid, and late Victorian periods, highlighting key events and developments that shaped the social landscape. It explores the impact of industrialization, political reforms, and social changes on the Victorian society. This chapter lays the foundation for understanding the social class distinctions that are discussed in subsequent sections.

The chapter on social class and class distinctions defines the concept of social class and examines the hierarchy that existed in Victorian England. It emphasizes the role of manners, speech, clothing, education, and values in identifying one's social class. The chapter also explores the separation of social classes in terms of their geographical locations, political attitudes, and religious beliefs.

The chapter on Victorian values focuses on three prominent values of the middle and working class: family life, respectability, and self-help. It examines the importance of these values in shaping Victorian society and individual behavior. The chapter also explores the influence of these values on social interactions, moral standards, and personal aspirations.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The main keywords and focus topics of this term paper include social class, class distinctions, Victorian values, family life, respectability, self-help, industrialization, mid-Victorian period, and the impact of social class on Victorian society.

• Université: University of Osnabrück
• Cours: Seminar
• Note: Sehr gut
• Auteur: Alexandra Köhler (Auteur)
• Année de publication: 2007
• Pages: 14
• N° de catalogue: V116639
• ISBN (ebook): 9783640185535
• ISBN (Livre): 9783640185566
• Langue: anglais
• mots-clé: Social, Class, Mid-Victorian, Period, Values, Seminar