The Victorian Era is characterized by prudery and more of a moralistic focus that is a reaction to the Gothic, mysterious and grotesque Romantic Era. During the Romantic Era, arts that reflected connections with nature and unclear themes and motifs were highly stressed. For example, in Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights, the literature has an eerie feel to it and at the end of the novel there is really no author’s message or clear purpose. The Romantic Era was also a time for the grotesque and Gothic arts to flourish; gross mystical creatures, events and unexplained almost “magical” occurrences were often present in paintings, literatures and sculptures. The Victorian Era essentially put a halt to the imagination so to speak, almost as if it were getting “out of hand”. This Era consisted of no connections with nature or inner spirituality whatsoever, no grotesque images—the Era in fact became rather prudish in nature—and logical, proven science became embraced. For example Charles Darwin developed his theory of evolution, completely discarding the Romantic Era’s theories on mystical and unreal happenings (i.e Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein). This Era also stressed moral values and the literature of the time actually had clear messages. Oscar Wilde wrote A Picture of Dorian Grey and The Importance of Being Earnest, both works that exemplified clear moral lessons. This prudishness and stress on moral values was also seen by the attire of the time; women barely exposed skin and often stayed indoors all day, heaven forbid coming in contact with nature or engaging in supernatural experiences. The Victorian Era was certainly quite the overreaction in regards to the previous Romantic Era. But the concern was much needed in order to advance society forward.
-Team Waka
Lillie Moffett, Sooji Hong, Lauren Wakabayashi, Nicole Lussier
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