Characteristics of Victorian Novel

Q. What are the characteristics of a Victorian novel? Discuss.

In the mid-19th century, Victorian literature emerged during the reign of Queen Victoria in Britain, spanning from 1837 to 1901. A unique set of characteristics marked this literary era, reflecting the social, political, and cultural changes of the time.

Characteristics of Victorian Novel

1. Realism
2. Morality and Didacticism
3. Social Critique
4. Idealism vs. Realism
5. Industrialization and Its Discontents
6. Psychological Character Development
7. The Woman Question
8. Narrative Experimentation
9. The Supernatural and Gothic
10. Attention to Detail

1- Realism

Victorian literature often shows real people and real-life situations. Writers like Charles Dickens did not shy away from the grim parts of city life and the struggles of people experiencing poverty.

The stories reflected the enormous gap between the wealthy and the people with low incomes and the often harsh realities of living in an industrial society. The characters were complex, and their problems were those that ordinary people faced.

It made the stories relatable. The focus was on making everything seem as true to life as possible, from the dialogue to the settings. This realism helped to highlight the social issues of the time, pushing readers to see the need for change.

2- Morality and Didacticism

Victorian novels are often aimed at teaching readers right from wrong. The stories were like lessons on how to live a good life. The writers of that time believed books could make people better.

They filled their stories with clear morals to guide readers towards good behavior. For example, Charles Dickens’ novel A Christmas Carol shows the character Ebenezer Scrooge undergoing a transformation from a miserly, selfish man to a generous and compassionate one.

The story highlights a moral lesson about the importance of kindness, empathy, and generosity, especially during the Christmas season. This teaching side of writing was significant back then.

It reflected the era’s values where society expected everyone to know and show good morals. Books were not just for entertainment; they were tools to help build character and reinforce society’s rules on proper behavior.

3- Social Critique

Victorian literature often used stories to point out what was wrong with society. Authors like Thomas Hardy and Elizabeth Gaskell wrote about how unfair life was for people experiencing poverty, how children had to work, and how the class system stopped people from moving up in the world.

These books opened people’s eyes to the problems around them and made them think about change. The writers were not afraid to show the ugly side of their world, and they hoped their books would make people want to fix these issues.

This way, literature was not just for reading pleasure but also a mirror showing society its flaws, hoping to push for a better future for everyone. The following writers were doing this.

Charles Dickens: His novels, including “Oliver Twist” and “Hard Times,” highlight social injustices and the plight of people experiencing poverty in the Industrial Age.

Charlotte Brontë:  Her novel “Jane Eyre” addresses the constraints on women and class inequalities, offering insights into the status of governesses and the limited autonomy of women.

George Eliot: Through works like “Middlemarch,” she explores issues such as the role of women in society and the need for social reform.

Elizabeth Gaskell: Her novels, like “North and South,” examine the class divide and the impact of industrialization on workers and their communities.

Thomas Hardy: In novels such as “Tess of the d’Urbervilles,” Hardy critiques societal norms and the injustices faced by individuals, particularly women, in rural England.

4- Idealism vs. Realism

Victorian novels often mixed real life with a touch of hope. Writers showed the world as it was, with all its problems, but they also liked to add some idealism.

They wrote about the truth – the harsh lives of people, the unfairness they faced – but they also believed things could improve. Many stories ended with the good guys winning or feeling that justice would be served.

This mix made the books not just a mirror to the real world but also a picture of what could be. Readers got to see life’s hardships but also walked away, hoping that things could improve.

5- Industrialization and Its Discontents

Victorian literature often reflected on the significant changes brought by industrialization. Factories sprang up, cities swelled, and life sped up. This new world made some people rich, but others suffered in poor working conditions and crowded slums.

Writers like Charles Dickens in “Hard Times” showed how this progress could harm people and the environment.

Others, like Elizabeth Gaskell in “North and South,” looked at the tension between old ways and new industry. Some writers saw the good in these changes, like the new jobs and goods.

However, they also worried about what was lost: green fields turned to smokestacks, and simple village life faded away. They used their stories to ask if all this progress was worth the cost.

6- Psychological Character Development

Victorian novels often took readers deep into the minds of their characters. These characters grow and change throughout the story, making them feel like real people.

A character might start selfish and learn to be kind, or might be timid and become brave. Writers like Charlotte Brontë in “Jane Eyre” showed how a lonely girl becomes a strong woman.

George Eliot, in “Middlemarch,” traced the inner lives of a whole town, showing how people’s hopes and mistakes shape their lives.

These stories did not just tell what happened on the outside; they also explored what was going on inside people’s heads. This way, readers understand the characters’ thoughts and feelings, making the stories more meaningful.

7- The Woman Question

In Victorian times, writers started to question the role of women in society. They asked if women should have the same rights as men, like voting, owning property, or getting an education.

Novels from this time often show women trying to find their place in a world that limits them. For example, in “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen, the heroine, Elizabeth Bennet, fights for her right to marry for love, not just money.

George Eliot’s characters, like Dorothea in “Middlemarch,” look for more than just a good marriage; they want to make a difference in the world. These books opened people’s eyes to the idea that women have their minds and should be able to use them, just like men.

8- Narrative Experimentation

Victorian writers were creative with how they told stories. They did not just go from start to finish. They mixed things up. Some used letters or diary entries to build the tale, like Bram Stoker in “Dracula.”

Others, like Wilkie Collins in “The Moonstone,” had different people take turns to tell their version of the story. This way, readers get many angles on the same event.

Authors like Charles Dickens in “Great Expectations” sometimes gave us narrators who hid things or were unreliable, making us question what was going on. These methods made reading more engaging, like a mystery where pieces must fit together to see the whole story.

9- The Supernatural and Gothic

Victorian novels often mixed in spooky, mysterious elements. This style is called Gothic. It includes old, dark houses, ghosts, and strange happenings.

Books like “Dracula” by Bram Stoker had vampires and castles, which were creepy and exciting. These stories used the supernatural to explore human fears and the unknown.

Gothic tales were not just about frightening readers; they also made them think about life, death, and what it means to be human. They were popular because they were thrilling, but they made people consider big questions through their chilling adventures.

10- Attention to Detail

Victorian literature is known for its meticulous attention to detail. Writers of this era painted vivid pictures of people, places, and things in their stories.

They described everything in great detail, from the characters’ appearances and emotions to the settings and even the most miniature objects. This level of detail made the stories come alive for readers, allowing them to immerse themselves in the fictional world.

Authors like Charles Dickens and George Eliot were masters at creating rich and immersive narratives through their careful attention to even the minutest aspects of their storytelling, making the Victorian literary experience incredibly vivid and captivating.