Victorian America

A Bell Jar The notion of ideal gender roles that have been brought up by the post-world war two era are self-evident in the novel, The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath. The title of the novel itself represents how the protagonist, Esther, feels about the pressure of holding up to proper feminine decorum put into place by society. This is obvious when Esther begins to explain about her life choices, as represented by the fig tree, where each fig is a path that Esther can choose to live, however choosing…

In literature, there were not many examples of women that refused to adhere to the status quo. We have plenty of men and women who wrote for the continuation of the male hierarchy. There were some, however, that decided to write in opposition to the norm. Christina Rossetti, for example, wrote a poem titled “No, Thank You, John” which criticizes the marriage system and indirectly becomes a proponent to the concept of the new woman. A new woman is considered to be independent, educated, and…

During the late 19th century Victorian era, women’s roles and positions are portrayed as dependent, devoted to families, and home-loving. As time goes on, the term “New Woman” was introduced. This “New Woman” moved away from the stereotypical woman during the Victorian era. “New Woman” was educated, intelligent, and independent. One novel that represents these two types of women is Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Two female characters in the novel are Mina Murray Harker and Lucy Westenra. Both Mina and…

The ideology behind the Victorian Era is vast and extensive. When it comes to mind, most people conjure up images of elegant balls, fancy carriages, and romance. This might have been the case for some, but the vast majority didn’t get to bask in that picture. For the lower class, they were projected to make an annual income of only 25 pounds, while the aristocrats made up to 30,000 (English.uwosh.edu). The Victorian Era began in 1837 when King William IV died, and Victoria took over the throne.…

poor in Disraeli’s Sybil. Hugh McLeod states that class hierarchy is important in the Victorian Era, generally recognized status-groups being the ‘working class, middle class and gentry – each with some degree of common identity and limited mobility from one to another’. Although some may claim that Charles Dickens’s writing exaggerated, others say that his works can truly portray the society of the Victorian Era. In Household Words, Dickens presents class through his use of characters,…

in a new era in terms of ideas, politics, art, music, and everyday life. In the Victorian Period, many poets would write about ideas, the current attitudes toward women, and the resisting temptation, from a new viewpoint, which lead to changing thoughts and morals among the masses (Khanna and Landow). Although the word ‘Victorian’ brings to mind conformity, the Victorian Era of poetry is anything but typical (Victorian Poets). These poets wrote with almost no bounds, no topic being too taboo,…

movies, plays and comic books. Lewis Carroll’s classic novel, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, portrays direct correlations between the author’s life and the Victorian era. Lewis Carroll was born January 27, 1832 in Cheshire, England to Charles Dodgson and Frances Jane Ludwidge. His father was a clergyman…

The Victorian era is a time of promise and change under Queen Victoria’s rule. During this time of change, there were numerous advancements in both science and social aspects. When Robert Louis Stevenson published Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Victorians saw a glimpse of these advancements and behaviors. Dr. Jekyll, a promising doctor, believes he is making medical strides and therefore, improving the world with his medicine. However, the deeper readers get into the story, they begin…

Gatsby is as a victim of the values of a pretentious, narcissistic society, however, at his core, he desires something richer and sincere. Similarly, Elizabeth Barrett Browning is initially suppressed by the rigid ideals of the Victorian era, however, she undergoes a metamorphosis and gains the courage to defy the conservative values of the 19th century. Through reviewing F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby” and Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s “Sonnets from the Portuguese” it is apparent that…

Amelia Sedley is presented as the ideal Victorian woman which may be perceived differently to today’s values. Thackeray’s lengthy introduction to Amelia signifies her merit, deeming her worthy to be talked about. The direct contrast against the non-existent positive adjectives about Becky is prominent due to the endless list describing Amelia and how she has a “delightful sweetness” as well as Miss Pinkerton’s “happiness and honour” in presenting her. This positive portrayal from Miss Pinkerton…