Welcome! I’m delighted you’ve found your way to my blog, where I share insights into Victorian literature and the moral values that influenced it. The purpose of this space is to celebrate this unique time in history and the writers who immortalised it in their literary creations.
Many of us are familiar with Victorian characters, such as Sherlock Holmes or Oliver Twist, thanks to modern screen adaptations. Maybe it is the love of these films or series that has led you here. These characters are no less popular today than they were at the time of publication. Something about them transcends time, and they continue to fascinate us.
The Victorian era itself is captivating with its imagery of smoke, factories, workhouses, strict morality, dark clothing, and Jack the Ripper. What’s not to like?
However, Victorian literature presents significant challenges to us contemporary readers because of its sentence structure, narrative style, and different values.
My goal in this post is to delve into this intriguing period and make some sense out of its writing. This blog is not intended as a comprehensive academic analysis. It is instead a friendly invitation to dive into this enthralling world, explore it, and maybe give its literature a go. Perhaps my musings might spark your curiosity to learn more. I encourage you to enter this fascinating world—it’s a worthwhile experience.
When?
So, what timeframe are we talking about? Views on this vary. In short, the Victorian era corresponds to Queen Victoria’s reign, and her rule lasted from 1837 to 1901. However, some believe it started a bit earlier with the Reform Act of 1832. Prior to the Reform Act, suffrage had been limited to the upper class, who owned property. With this act, the vote was extended to a significant part of the middle-class as well, who consequently got more power. They also became more economically powerful during this period. The Reform Act is thus widely seen as the beginning of the Victorian era due to its impact on societal change.
The Victorian era differs from the preceding Georgian (King George IV and William IV) and succeeding Edwardian (King Edward VII) eras. We aren’t merely talking about a change in leadership; Victoria’s reign meant a deep societal shift in values.
What Distinguishes this Era?
So what’s characteristic about this period? We can observe changes both visually and internally in society. Consider Jane Austen’s novels and the screen adaptations of them. Notice the difference in dress between women of that time and Victorian women.
The image to the left shows a high waist so typical of the Regency period, in contrast to the low waists to the right from the Victorian era. The corset stressed a thin waist, and flouncy dresses created the illusion of curves. The crinoline and the bustle were immensely popular during this time. You might remember the dresses featured in Gone with the Wind. In addition, the Victorian era was characterised by dark clothes, as they were an outward sign of respectability.
Mid-1840s dress
An 1823 engraving of a ball dress
If you’ve been watching TV series set during the Regency era, you might have noticed that horses and carriages were the main forms of transportation, even for long distances. The Victorian era, on the other hand, saw major changes in transportation with the construction of canals and the expansion of the railway. The invention of the telegraph (1837) and then the telephone (1878) further improved communication.
This was not only an era of inventions but also of discoveries, such as Darwin’s theory of the evolution of species (1859). This theory fundamentally shifted how people viewed God, themselves, and their position within the world.
A number of other changes took place as well. Listed below are a few of the most significant.
The Industrial Revolution
This era saw rapid societal change driven by invention and development. Trains and boats could now move at unparalleled speeds thanks to the steam engine. New inventions and factories made it possible to produce goods at an unprecedented rate and low cost. This was especially a time of growth for the textile sector.
Industrialization changed almost every aspect of life. Modern tools meant more food could be produced for more people, and with the advent of the railway, it could be transported to all parts of the country. The railway not only enabled transport of goods but also of people.
However, industrialisation had its downsides. Working conditions in the factories were generally terrible. Often the workers had to endure 12-hour long shifts for a very meagre wage. Children were forced to work in the factories too, to help their families. It wasn’t uncommon to start as early as the age of 5, especially for children in low-income families. A common profession for kids was that of a chimney sweeper, as they had tiny bodies that could enter spaces an adult couldn’t.
Gentleman with two telephones, 1880.
However, the factory owners also set up schools for the children. More schools in general also started opening throughout the country. This meant a great increase in literacy in Britain. With more people reading, more literature was needed. Mechanisation and transport meant that books became more easily accessible. Nevertheless, they were still expensive, so circulating libraries began to emerge.
From Rural to Urban
At the beginning of this era, Britain was a predominantly rural society. But at the end of this period, more than a third of the population lived in cities. Harsh conditions in rural areas forced agricultural workers to seek better lives in towns and factories. Factory work created many new opportunities, leading to mass migration to industrial cities. The towns grew exponentially, and they were inter-connected by the ever-expanding railway.
The cities were overwhelmed by the massive influx of people. New red-brick buildings sprang up to accommodate the new working classes. Once-elegant, large houses were subdivided into tenements. Urban centres became crowded and filthy. They were also filled with smog and lacked sufficient sewage and garbage disposal systems. As a result, sanitation issues and diseases were widespread. Cholera, typhoid, and tuberculosis were rampant, and infant mortality was high. Slums are a common feature in Victorian literature, and with good reason. They were scenes of horror; not only diseases but also high crime rates.
Poverty and Moral Values
Unfortunately, industrialism didn’t bring prosperity to everyone. While factory owners grew in wealth, the factory workers faced harsh conditions. Typical workdays lasted twelve hours, and it was rough, hazardous work in a loud and unclean environment. The working class faced harsh conditions not only at work but also at home. Their meager wages were insufficient to pay for decent accommodation. Often families lived together with others in tenement buildings, where several families were cramped together in one room. The slums were notorious at this time, and they were places where diseases such as cholera, dysentery, typhus, and tuberculosis flourished.
The poorest faced even harder conditions and were often sent to workhouses. This was especially the case after the New Poor Law of 1834, which emphasised the use of workhouses, where the poor had to be made useful in order to earn their keep. These establishments replaced the earlier poorhouses and were horrible institutions, where those capable were subjected to harsh labour. Food portions were often insufficient, and the buildings themselves dirty and unsanitary.
The general attitude towards poverty during this time was not one of compassion. The poor lacked thrift and were idle, and had to learn to be useful. The law separated the poor into those who deserved help (widows, elderly, children, infirm) and those who didn’t (beggars, vagrants, the unwise).
Halfpenny dinners for poor children in East London. Illustration for The Illustrated London News, 26 March 1870.
Efforts to alleviate the suffering were made, with differing degrees of success. Numerous charitable organisations emerged over this time, partly due to the growth of Evangelicalism. One example of such an organisation was The Salvation Army. Religion played a big part in the attitude towards charity, which increasingly became regarded as a duty and a ‘woman’s occupation’.
The situation of the poor and the working class wasn’t made better by the rising food prices – a direct result of the Corn Laws, which restricted grain imports. This era also saw the devastating Irish potato famine (1845-1852), which resulted in the death of approximately one million people and massive emigration (more than a million) to countries such as the United States, Canada and Australia.
Self-help
During Victoria’s reign, the belief that hard work could lift people out of poverty and improve their social standing gained popularity. The bestseller Self-Help by Samuel Smiles stressed the idea that a man’s success was up to himself. Smiles’ book resonated with Victorian readers due to its focus on discipline and diligence. It was an immense success and sold 20,000 copies during its first year of publication. People realised that social mobility was indeed possible. Smiles stressed individual effort and thought excessive government intervention would create dependent, incompetent citizens. The best assistance is the one that teaches self-sufficiency. His opinion was that if people only applied themselves and exercised diligence, they could succeed – in all areas of life.
Strict Moral Values
If there is anything the Victorian era is known for, it is its strict morals. Society took a huge turn during this time. The debauchery of the aristocrats so characteristic of the beginning of the 19th century gave way to reserve and prudery. Gambling decreased during this time, and so did the visits to brothels.
Multiple factors contributed to this. The Queen’s behaviour served as an example of mourning and restraint. Another factor was the spread of Evangelicalism. Evangelicals believed in a literal interpretation of the Bible and emphasised temperance, spiritual discipline, family life, and marital fidelity. The rising influence of the middle class was also significant. They (the middle class) regarded themselves as highly respectable citizens who had an obligation to educate the lower and upper classes. Soon, these values spread to other groups in society. Britain also grew increasingly eager to show themselves as a dignified and civilised nation, and to export this fine comportment and values to the rest of the world, especially the dark corners of the Empire.
The Home
Home and family life were central to Victorians. Queen Victoria had a large family, and she became a role-model for society. During the nineteenth century, the home became something of a symbol of happiness and harmony. It was an escape from noisy and dirty cities. The ideal was the man as the sole breadwinner and the woman as the caregiver – ‘the angel of the house’. This woman was pure, decent, caring, and diligent. However, this ideal was not possible for working-class families, who couldn’t survive on only one income. Many middle-class women also worked. Another problem with this ideal was single women and widows, who had no husbands who provided for them, nor did they have anyone they could care for.
The Gentleman and Propriety
The concept of the gentleman was important to Victorians, who associated it above all with respectability. There was a strong emphasis on character. An individual needed to be strong, resilient, and useful. Discipline became the instrument for achieving this goal.
Closely tied to the idea of discipline was the Christian faith and its emphasis on endurance and suffering. For character development, upper-class boys were sent to boarding schools, where suffering was expected. Severe punishments were carried out. Bullying was common, and the teachers viewed it as an essential part of life, so they didn’t try to stop it.
A boy’s weaknesses, such as introversion, gentleness and compassion, were seen as effeminate and in need of check. Sports became immensely popular in a society that valued the triumph over difficulties.
Line engraving of a Victorian lady and gentleman addressing a boy (1888)
Imperialism
By this time, Britain had lost its American colony; however, it continued to expand, and reached its zenith in this period. The British Empire expanded to such an extent during this era that the phrase “the sun never sets on the British Empire” was coined. This expansion was not strategic, and the colonies formed a disjointed collection that emerged from trade activities, explorations, and conflicts like the Indian Mutiny.
The British gained control of India and large portions of Africa during this period. Britain also excelled at shipbuilding and, thanks to their ships, they were able to trade around the world. They competed against other European nations, especially in the ‘scramble for Africa’.
Hodson’s Horse was a new British regiment created during the Indian Mutiny in 1857
The colonies brought tea, spices, and raw materials to Britain, which in turn exported manufactured goods to them. Britain benefited greatly economically from the colonies, and there was a constant movement of people and goods. Britain’s industrialisation continued to advance during this time, and it became known as the workshop of the world.
The Victorians were very proud of their nation and saw their own character and values as superior to everyone else’s. They also thought it their duty to bring their light to the dark corners of the world. Missionary expeditions and explorations increased, and they ventured into hitherto unexplored territories. These men documented their explorations. Men such as Henry Morton Stanley and his exaggerated accounts of his own adventures and bravery paved the way for similar stories, travel writing and adventure fiction towards the end of the century. A new kind of hero started to emerge. This man was a sharp contrast to the dignified gentlemen in armchairs. Those were men who defied a hostile environment and savage people. As well as being good hunters, they were also very brave. People back home approved of the missions and explorations, and they loved to receive news from exotic countries and hear about the ‘savages’.
Victorian Literature
The romanticism – so popular in Georgian times – now gave way to realism. People wanted to read about realistic characters and settings. The novel format became immensely popular during this time. Victorian novels are long – often forty chapters. The reason being that many were originally serialised and published in magazines – like the novels of Charles Dickens. Each chapter ended with a cliffhanger, and people eagerly waited for the next instalment to know what would happen in the story. Once the entire story was out, it was published as a novel. Another reason for these tomes was the preferences of The Circulating libraries, which had become popular during this time. They favoured novels that were long and consisted of three volumes. This allowed them to loan out several volumes, and readers looked forward to the next.
The stories feature highly detailed descriptions of realistic settings. Not much is left to the imagination. This is a stark contrast to contemporary novels, which are sparse in detail, relying on reader imagination. Authors of this era not only wanted to entertain; they also sought to educate the public and make them reflect upon the social injustices of the time.
Towards the end of this era, we see the birth of stories that have developed into the genres so appreciated by modern readers. Examples of these are detective fiction, such as Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle; adventure fiction, such as Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island; and science fiction by H. G. Wells, The War of the Worlds.
Sherlock Holmes & Watson in The Adventure of the Empty House.
During this era, poetry saw experimentation in both its style and subject matter. Poets took inspiration from other forms like fiction and drama. They even drew inspiration from paintings. An example is the pre-Raphaelite Dante Gabriel Rossetti. Their writing covered everything from social injustice and love to philosophy and landscapes. They were also intrigued by older periods, for instance, the Middle Ages and the Italian Renaissance.
Plays written in the first and mid-century part did not stand the test of time, and were passed into oblivion. It was not until the end of the era that we see playwrights of great calibre. Oscar Wilde and George Bernard Shaw wrote humorous plays that also offered social critique.
Conclusion
Many other changes took place, and I have only just scratched the surface. Naturally, this was an era of change and social unrest. This is something worth keeping in mind when you read these authors, who were greatly shaped by their times.
By now, I hope I have convinced you to give Victorian literature a chance. I admit that the writing style is sometimes challenging due to the authors’ love of long descriptive sentences, but it is something you get used to after a while. If you feel their writing style is too elaborate and quirky, there are plenty of contemporary ‘Victorian’ writers out there. For example, you might like my Victorian novelette, set in Manchester. It is a short, heartwarming romance that explores class issues and personality clashes. Check it out here: A Different Kind of Deal
You can learn more about Victorian literature and the Victorians by visiting these blogs and websites:
Photo Attributions:
1823-Ball-Gown-Diaphanous-Overskirt. Unknown 1823 artist, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Mid-1840s Dress. Nicole.c.s.y93, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Gentleman with two telephones, 1880. Benoît Bonnafoux, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Halfpenny dinners for poor children in East London. Illustration for The Illustrated London News, 26 March 1870. The Illustrated London News, CC BY 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
A lady and gentleman stopped and spoke to me (1888). Unsigned, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Hodson’s Horse; Felice Beato (English, born Italy, 1832 – 1909), Henry Hering (British, 1814 – 1893); 1858–1859. The J. Paul Getty Museum, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Sherlock Holmes & Watson in The Adventure of the Empty House. Sidney Paget (1860 – 1908), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
© Elizabeth Kinns 2025. All rights reserved.