Clair Fuller
Yee-Lum Mak
Alex Tranquada
Laurel Kitada
Jodi Shou
Victorian Synthesis
In the Victorian Period, the tone and content of literature shifted from romanticism and the fantastic to realism that depicted ordinary circumstances, with examples including the works of Charles Dickens, in sharp contrast to the literature of the Romantic Era, which frequently presented supernatural, fantastic, or gothic subjects, such as Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. Because of the climate of change that so pervaded the era, much of the literature was concerned with social matters like reform, the success of the country, or providing a realistic and factually accurate depiction of life at the time. Though Romantic influences existed, such as in an enduring interest in the supernatural, themes of otherworldliness were then viewed as entertainment and sport instead of an acknowledged aspect of life on which significant symbolic and enlightening value was placed, as was the reverent view held during the Romantic Era. In addition, poetry like that of Alfred, Lord Tennyson formed a connection between the emotional expression of the Romantic era and the utilitarian zeitgeist engendered by the second wave of the Industrial Revolution. While Romantic thinkers and artists saw inherent value in the human condition and expression of emotions, the popular view during the Victorian Era was that worth should come from function and usefulness, creating an emphasis on efficiency and production despite the feelings of the people involved. In art, the subjects of paintings moved away from the supernatural or subjects that offered a reflective view of the human condition, clearly demonstrated the strict, almost Puritanical morality and sensibilities of the time. Examples include Richard Redgrave's The Outcast or William Holman Hunt's The Awakening Conscience, both violently denouncing sexual sin.
The Victorian Period in its entirety was a period well-known for its refined culture, its attention to high morals, as well as modesty and proper decorum. As it is well known for these traits, it is also the longest running reign to date. It is known that eras are usually reactions of the era before it and the Victorian Era’s reaction to Romanticism was to embrace realism. Like your examples from Frankenstein to The Awakening Conscience. As a group, we agreed that your response to the synthesis question was a solid, thoroughly made response. As your references to different authors shows that your group actually knows what it is talking about.
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Marc Yu. Hyrum Judkins, Michael Abelev, Misael Rivera
Good insight and point made about the sharp contrast and turn that the victorian period took in terms of deviating away from the literature in the Romantic Era.
ReplyDeleteIt is also good that you noted that many of the patterns in literature did stay the same - especially writing that deals with the differences in the social "caste" at the time.