The Victorian age in England is generally defined by the reign of Queen Victoria
from 1837 to 1901. Since the queen´s rulership was for such a long time, it is not
possible to discuss the whole period as one homogen part. There were so many
changes during the different phases of Victorias´s reign that the 64 years of her
rulership may be seperated into 3 different periods: the first period which lastet
until 1851 is a period of growth; England´s manufacturing and trading forces grew
more and more. In 1851 the Great Exhibition in London started the second and for
this paper most important period. Now England was the leading industrial country
in the world; the period of supremacy had begun.The late Victorian period covers
the last quarter of the century. During this phase England lost its supremacy and
the society had a more critical look on the earlier periods.1
The Victorian values which were developed by the middle class were most
influential during the second third of Victoria´s reign. During this time the middle
class grew significantly and became very important (for example through the
Reform Bills which enlarged the voting population as well as through their
growing wealth). Because of their new role in society middle-class opinions,
behavior and values were adopted by the other classes above and below.2
Therefore, it can be said that from its beginning onwards the mid-Victorian era
was and is of a special influence on the British society in past and present: “The
opening of the Great Exhibition was also the opening of the Golden Age of
Victorianism,...”.3 This “Golden Age” even has been recognized at the end of the
20th century when the British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher stated: “Victorian
Values were the values when our country became great.”4 Therefore, this term
paper will discuss the famous “Victorian Values” which were developed in one
class and later characterized a whole society.
How did the people of the middle class live in the middle of the 19th
century? How did they practise their morals and values? What were their morals
and ideals? [...]
1 David Thomson, England in the Nineteenth Century: 1815-1914 (Harmondsworth: Penguin Books 1991)
221-224.
2 Gottfried Niedhart, Geschichte Englands im 19. und 20. Jahrhundert, 3 Bände (München: Verlag C.H. Beck
1987) 39-49.
3 Thomson, England 19th Century, 100.
4 Asa Briggs, A Social History of England, 2nd edition (London: Weidenfeld and Nicolson, 1994) 249.
Table of Contents
- I. Introduction
- II. Historical Context of the Victorian Society
- III. Class Distinction
- 3.1 Aristocracy
- 3.2 Middle Class
- 3.3 Working Class
- IV. Victorian Values
- 4.1 The Family
- 4.2 The Middle-Class Man and Husband
- 4.3 The "Angel in the House"
- 4.4 Self-Help
- 4.5 Respectability
- V. Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to explore daily life within the English middle class during the mid-Victorian era, focusing on the values and morals that shaped their society. It examines how these values were formed and subsequently influenced other social classes.
- The historical context of mid-Victorian England
- The social stratification and class distinctions of Victorian society
- The key values and morals of the Victorian middle class
- The role of the family and gender roles in shaping middle-class life
- The impact of the middle class on broader Victorian society
Chapter Summaries
I. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage by defining the Victorian era and its subdivisions, emphasizing the mid-Victorian period (roughly 1851-1875) as the focus due to the significant growth and influence of the middle class. It highlights the lasting impact of "Victorian Values" on British society, posing questions about the daily life, morals, and ideals of the middle class during this time. The introduction lays the groundwork for subsequent chapters by emphasizing the need to understand the historical context and class structure to fully grasp these values.
II. Historical Context: This chapter provides a historical overview of Victorian England, charting the significant population growth and societal transformations from the start of Victoria's reign. It details the differences between the early, mid, and late Victorian periods, contrasting the early period's social and political turmoil with the mid-Victorian era's relative stability and progress. The chapter emphasizes the impact of industrialization and urbanization, the Great Exhibition of 1851, and key social reforms such as the Reform Bills and the Education Act. The narrative also touches upon the Queen's role in shaping social attitudes through her family life and public image.
Keywords
Mid-Victorian England, Middle Class, Victorian Values, Social History, Class Distinction, Family, Gender Roles, Respectability, Self-Help, Industrialization, Urbanization, Social Reform.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview of Mid-Victorian England
What is the focus of this language preview?
This preview provides a structured overview of a text analyzing the daily life of the English middle class during the mid-Victorian era (roughly 1851-1875). It explores the values, morals, and social structures that shaped this period, examining their impact on broader Victorian society.
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The preview includes the title, table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords. It offers a comprehensive glimpse into the text's content, allowing for a thorough understanding of its scope and focus before delving into the complete work.
What are the main objectives of the text?
The text aims to explore daily life within the English middle class during the mid-Victorian era, focusing on the values and morals that shaped their society. It examines how these values were formed and subsequently influenced other social classes. Key themes include the historical context of mid-Victorian England, social stratification, Victorian middle-class values and morals, family and gender roles, and the middle class's impact on broader society.
What is included in the Table of Contents?
The table of contents outlines the following sections: I. Introduction; II. Historical Context of the Victorian Society; III. Class Distinction (including Aristocracy, Middle Class, and Working Class); IV. Victorian Values (including The Family, The Middle-Class Man and Husband, The "Angel in the House," Self-Help, and Respectability); and V. Conclusion.
What is covered in the Chapter Summaries?
The chapter summaries provide concise overviews of each section. The introduction establishes the context and focus on the mid-Victorian period. The historical context chapter details the significant population growth, societal transformations, industrialization, urbanization, and key social reforms. Subsequent chapters delve into class distinctions and the specific values and morals prevalent within the Victorian middle class.
What are the key themes and keywords?
Key themes revolve around mid-Victorian England, the middle class, Victorian values, social history, class distinction, family dynamics, gender roles, respectability, self-help, industrialization, urbanization, and social reform. These keywords accurately represent the core concepts explored in the text.
What time period does the text focus on?
The text primarily focuses on the mid-Victorian era, approximately 1851-1875, a period characterized by significant growth and influence of the middle class.
What is the intended audience for this text?
While not explicitly stated, the structured and professional nature of the preview suggests an academic audience interested in Victorian social history and the study of the middle class.
- Citar trabajo
- Julia Schubert (Autor), 2002, Daily Life in Victorian England: The Middle Class and its Values, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/11739
