19C - Culture in the Nineteenth Century Lesson

Culture in the Nineteenth Century The Victorian Age, named after Queen Victoria, spanned from 1837 until her death in 1901. Many historians coined the mid-victorian age (1850-1870) as Britain’s Golden Years due to economic prosperity and political peace.

The Beginnings of the Victorian Age

Towards the end of the Eighteenth Century, there was a clear change in the social structure of Great Britain. Both the Agricultural and Industrial Revolution occurred and influenced society in major ways throughout the 19th century. Similarly, British Imperialism continued to corrupt various nations around the world, such as in India and South Africa.

King George III continued to reign through the early 19th century with William Pitt the Younger as Prime Minister for the majority of George III's rule. Although England did lose the American Colonies under his reign, King George III was known as a family man and remained a popular King among the people, and during his rule, England saw advancements in science and technology that led to the Agricultural Revolution in England; the implementation of crop rotation and the use of the plow increased productivity and crop output. George III died a mentally ill man, and his son, George IV became King following his father's death in 1820.

King George IV lived an extravagant lifestyle and angered his ministers by spending money on frivolous items while the Britons fought in the Napoleanic Wars as the French attempted to expand. Known for his lavish clothing and fashion statements, King George IV lived an unhealthy lifestyle and spent much of his later life secluded from the public. He died only ten years after his coronation in 1830 with no surviving heir.

Upon King George IV's death, King George III's third son, William IV, became King at the age of 64 in 1830. With the growing Industrial Revolution, several societal issues occurred during the 19th century, and William IV's reign saw several reforms: new child labor laws, new welfare laws, and new laws against slavery throughout the British Empire. When William IV died in 1837, his niece, Queen Victoria started her reign.

The Victorian Age, named after Queen Victoria, spanned from 1837 until her death in 1901. Many historians coined the mid-Victorian age (1850-1870) as Britain's Golden Years due to economic prosperity and political peace. At this time, as a constitutional monarchy, the sovereign did not exercise direct political power, but Victoria attempted to influence policy as needed. Above all, it was an age of paradox and power.

Nineteenth Century Language, Literature, and Culture

 The 19th century includes two different literary genres: Romantic and Victorian.   The Romantic period continued from the 18th century and focuses on nature and emotion. The term " Victorian," which literally describes the reign of Queen Victoria (1837-1901), has connotations of "prudish," "repressed," and "old fashioned." Although such associations have some basis in fact, they do not adequately indicate the nature of this complex, paradoxical age that some consider a second English Renaissance. Like Elizabethan England, Victorian England saw the rise of England as an empire with a great expansion of wealth, power, and culture.

Read about the empire in the "Empire." Links to an external site.

However, the Victorian age was neither simple nor unified as a time period. England made many powerful economic moves due to advancements in technology and architecture.

The creation of the Crystal Palace to house the exposition symbolized the architectural advancements of the age.

Read about the building in the "Crystal Palace" handout. Links to an external site.

Then, study the information below pertaining to language, literature, and culture during 19th century England.  

Poetry Analysis Review

Before we experience 18th century poetry, let's review the TPCASTT method for analyzing poetry. Remember, the TPCASTT method is applicable to any kind of poetry.
T- TITLE Look at the title before reading the poem. Attempt to predict the significance
of the title. This will help you gauge the meaning of the poem as you read. Occasionally,
poems will not have titles. If this is the case, skip the "title" part of the TPCASTT
technique.
P-PARAPHRASE: Translate the plot of the poem into your own words. Make sure you
understand what every word means and that you can see every image being
used.
C- CONNOTATION: Contemplate the meaning of the poem beyond the literal-the figurative.
Look for all poetic devices and see how they contribute to the meaning of
poem. Connotative devices include all figurative language and sound devices (similes,
metaphors, eto)
the
A- ATTITUDE: Identify and describe the persona. Observe the speaker's attitude, the tone.
S- SHIFT: Determine the stanza type and whether there are shifts in the tone/attitude.
Sometimes a change in stanzas will indicate a shift in attitude.
T- TITLE (again): Reexamine the title. Try to see how the title fits with the work as a
whole
T- THEME: Determine what the poet is saying. This does not have to be a "moral" or a
"cute saying." Instead, you should think about how the human experience is presented in
the poem. The theme should be a universal truth, not applicable only to the poem.
Review of Literary Terms Links to an external site.

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