Victorian Era (1837-1901)

Art Culture History Human Movie/Serie Sociology

10.04.2021

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The Victorian Era, which made a great transformation in the history of Great Britain, reflects the reign of Queen Victoria between 1837-1901. In this period, with industrialization, England became one of the richest and most powerful countries in the world. In addition to the financial sector that grown with trade, the rail network also grew rapidly. Rapid population growth, one of the indicators of a country’s strength, also coincided with this period due to improved living standards. In addition to the economy revived by scientific discoveries and industrialization, striking social and moral reforms are also the most distinctive features of the period. In this article, I will convey the traces of the Victorian Era reflected in society, daily life and social life in general terms.

Political stability and strict moral norms prevailed in the Victorian Period, one of the cornerstones of British history. Between the years spanning the Victorian Period, other governments of the period changed, but the British Empire was ruled by one ruler for many years – 64 years. In proportion to political stability, strict rules were applied at the base of the society, aiming to ensure the restraint of the order. These norms, which spread to daily life, was accepted on the basis of identity politics, depending on gender, race and class.

In the Victorian Era, racial discrimination included different nations. In this context, the Anglo-Saxon nations were at their peak. Gender played an important role in identity formation. The place of women in society was home. Their job was to raise children and do household chores. Women, with their colourful fabrics and tight corsets, were deemed worthy of sweeping the floor with the tip of their dresses. Men, on the other hand, were busy with difficult realities, business and politics in the outside world. Looking at this table, the impact of gender roles on identity can be clearly understood. Another factor that plays a determining role on identity is the individual’s socio-economic status. In this sense, coming from a wealthy aristocratic family would make you shine in a crowded invitation. The middle class that grew on the basis of the “bourgeoisie” in the 19th century included businessmen. The working class, the lowest stratum, was in a daily struggle for survival. Victorian social norms thus pointed to your place in society based on race, gender and class.

Radical breakthroughs were made in the field of art and science in the Victorian Era. In Britain’s age of medical, scientific and technological advances, the country’s prosperity increased with the economic boom. Although this situation was met with trust and optimism among the world and the society, towards the end of the 19th century, religion, social values and norms were approached with suspicion.

In 19th century Britain, patriarchy dominated family values and an emphasis was placed on religious harmony. Women belonging to aristocratic families acquired a dependent status because of their husbands or fathers. However, middle-class women, deprived of all rights, wanted to avoid house arrest. But the role of the woman in the Victorian era was either to stay at home as a chaste woman or to be called Madonna as a prostitute on the streets. Towards the end of the 1800s, women sought political rights, albeit limited, on the basis of the feminist movement.

In the light of this information, I recommend you to watch the films that I have listed below, displaying both the social norms and concrete appearance of the Victorian Era, which, in its conceptual expression, made the image of “magnificence” in minds.