A Time of Great Change

The Victorian Age, what do you know or believe about this time period from 1837 to 1901? Do you believe as most that it is a time of poofy dresses and men in capri pants, dancing through fields laden with spring wildflowers?

I think most of us believe or have a similar view of this time. However, if you look more closely, you might see something different, something more. Read this article and you'll see why I say this. It really opened my eyes to the reality of truth of this very important age.

While most associate this time period with the reign of Queen Victoria, there is so much more that defines this age as uniquely its own. This was a time of increased wealth and productivity. The industrial revolution occurred to boost the economies of Europe and the lives of everyone who lived during this time. Even today, the idea that people can create solutions to their own problems and the problems of others continues. This idea sprang from this era.

Romantic elements continued on into the modern period we enjoy today along with emphasis on emotions and imagination. However, this age incorporated doubt and self-examination; literature especially mixed these ideas in the shadow of this re-evaluation of self and societal beliefs. There was a struggle between the fantasy of romanticism and modern realism.

Personally, I see this era as a bridge between the ideals of the romantic period and the modern era; what we are today. Change is always a struggle, a fight to evolve and grow as human beings. I don’t think there was more change in any era than this one. One explanation for this could be the extreme diversity between romanticism and the modern era. To make the transition, it would be natural for human beings to experience a huge amount of change and to resist such change. However, it also appears that much of society embrace these changes in light of the promise of improved standards of living.

One last and most important aspects of the Victorian Era, is their emphasis on social issues. Improving one’s life and the lives of others was a major focal point. Where the romantic era focused inward and was mostly concerned with one’s own ambitions, Victorians looked outward and focused on others and their wellbeing.

Next week, we are reading Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations, written in 1860. It is part of this great chunk of time called the Victorian Era. To read more about this time, visit The Victorian Web. Enjoy!