Victorian Synthesis

Claire West

Danny Shapiro

Ivy Arbolado

Edward Tyler

The Victorian Era Synthesis Question

The Victorian era, ranging from 1837-1901, was a time period focused on prudery and propriety. The obvious cause of this change came from their ruler Queen Victoria. Queen Victoria transformed common thought and morals from imaginative and dreamy from the Romantic period and replaced them with social and sexual restraint. Aside from her influence on the era though, the main cause for this drastic change was the peoples’ reaction from the previous period, the Romantic era.

The most profound difference between the two eras is the advancement of technology. During the Romantic era, technology and communication was very limited. In order to solve this inconvenient problem, the people during this time period worked hard and invented stagecoaches, canals, steamships, and railways to transport goods and people. Also, with time, Public Health Acts were passed encouraging better hygiene and cleanliness. These changes in technology and development promoted and supported the general public in becoming more clean, pure, and proper.

Another example of how the Victorian period was a reaction to the Romantic era was relapse back into Gothic design. This could be seen in the architecture and buildings, which had the classic pointed roofs, arches, and strong shapes. The people from the Victorian era respected and appreciated both the effectiveness and the beauty in houses built in the Gothic style.

Overall, the idea of abandoning rationalism, formality, and reason became too uncivilized and thus Queen Victoria brought her people into a new era, with stricter morals and beliefs. She was the catalyst that caused the anxious and unorganized people to evolve into the time period referred to as the Victorian era.

Wylie Team 4 Period 1