Masculinity In The Victorian Period

2. Introduction The purpose of this graduation thesis is to give a survey on how the image of gentleman has developed since the beginning of Victorian Era until its sunset. Uncountable examples of male characters are often seen in English literature, but the aim of choosing this period is because the concept of masculinity has always been of great importance and it gives an idea of how a man should look and behave and what are the prerequisites to become a distinguished representative of Victorian society. If the poetry and drama had been capitalized in the previous ages, the nineteenth’s century is more concerned on the importance of the novel. The novel is “the best suited literary form to express the feelings, problems and conflicts of …show more content…
But for some of them Victorianism was associated with cultural decline and anarchy of spirit (…). To our contemporaries, Victorianism signifies a far greater complexity, resulting from interaction of a number of polarities that make up cultural history of the age”.
2.2. Family and gender roles Times have changed since Victorian period as the twenty-first century is defined by a trend toward egalitarianism. The women’s rights and work’s opportunities were limited in the nineteenth century and while the upper class ladies were supposed to stay at home and to get married, the lower class women had to do something for a living but they could only be governess, housekeepers or servants and they received lower wedges than their male counterparts. Women were considered the angel of the house that had to give their man moral support when he needed and he expected to find a well-organized home, ready to answer to his orders. The stereotypical woman had to be loving, caring and …show more content…
It was the beginning of the Feminist Movement and as in other countries, The Feminism in the United Kingdom “seeks to establish political, social and economic equality for women” . Women were leaving their usual place in order to support their man.
3. The concept of gentleman in Victorian England “The perfect English gentleman is the Phoenix of the human species” , says Francis Lieber, he “”never follows solely his impulses and never lower himself. He carries conscientiousness and the remembrance of his dignity into the smallest details of life. His temper never betrays him for it is the same character with his exterior; his house might be of glass; every one of his acts can bear the broadest light and defy criticism” .
The description of Francis Lieber represents the image of a role model, but in Victorian literature things are not so easy to classify. The term “gentleman” has such a long history and has been present in so many places that it developed different