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16/10/2007 Istituto Cattaneo-Dall’Aglio – 2003/2004 – Prof.AG

THE VICTORIAN AGETHE VICTORIAN AGE

An age of contradictions under a cover of respectability

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Homeless Boys

Chimney Sweeper

Victoria

Telegraph Boy

Teatime

Match Factory

workers

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OUTLINE OF THE OUTLINE OF THE PRESENTATIONPRESENTATION

Multiple interpretationsHistoricalSocio HistoricalPolitical and economical

Legislation and ReformsValuesContradictionsLiterary production

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HISTORICAL HISTORICAL INTERPRETATIONINTERPRETATION

Reference to a historical period

1837 - 1901

Reference to a person who reigned in Britainb. 1819 - d. 1901

Queen Victoria

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THE INDUSTRIAL THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTIONREVOLUTION

Application of steam power to textile machines from work done by hand to work done by machine

Transformation of Britain into an industrial countryCutting of new canalsBuilding of new roads and railwaysPoor urban infrastructureHigh incidence of disease, crime, alcoholism, prostitution

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POLITICAL AND ECONOMICALPOLITICAL AND ECONOMICALINTERPRETATIONINTERPRETATION

Increase of foreign tradeColonization and expansion of the colonial empire

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LEGISLATION AND LEGISLATION AND SOCIAL REFORMSSOCIAL REFORMS

Repeal of Corn Laws (1846)Factory Acts (1847)Education act (1870)Trade Union Act (1871)Foundation of Labour party (1893)

Innovators and Reformers

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INNOVATORS AND INNOVATORS AND REFORMERSREFORMERS

Charles Darwin1801 - 1882

Karl Marx1818 - 1883

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MIDDLE CLASS MORAL MIDDLE CLASS MORAL VALUESVALUES

LiberalismFaith in the power of menFaith in material progressRespectability, good manners, thrift, dutyBelief in the family

Impact of middle class moral values

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IMPACT OF MIDDLE CLASS IMPACT OF MIDDLE CLASS MORAL VALUESMORAL VALUES

Intolerant social atmosphereHypocrisyFear of the unexpectedFear of ambiguityConnotations of immorality with anything pleasant

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CONTRADICTIONSCONTRADICTIONS

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LITERARY PRODUCTIONLITERARY PRODUCTION

Victorian Novel: C.DickensVictorian Poetry: Browning

Christina RossettiVictorian Drama: WildeAnti-Victorian reaction (late century production)Two different opinions on the Victorian Age: Macaulay and Carlyle