Literature of the Victorian Era - 4 General Characteristics of Victorian Literature

The literature of the Victorian age entered in adoubt and pessimism. The influence of science is
new period after the romantic revival. Thefelt here. The whole age seems to be caught in
literature of this era expressed the fusion of purethe conception of man in relation to the universe
romance to gross realism. Though, the Victorianwith the idea of evolution. Tennyson's some
Age produced two great poets Tennyson andimmature works seem holding doubtful and
Browning, the age is also remarkable for thedespairing stains but his In Memoriam comes out
excellence of its prose.as a hope after despair.
The discoveries of science have particular effects4. Though, the age is characterized as practical
upon the literature of the age. If you study all theand materialistic, most of the writers exalt a
great writers of this period, you will mark fourpurely ideal life. It is an idealistic age where the
general characteristics:great ideals like truth, justice, love, brotherhood
1. Literature of this age tends to come closer toare emphasized by poets, essayists and novelists
daily life which reflects its practical problems andof the age.
interests. It becomes a powerful instrument forIf you wish to read the literature of the Victorian
human progress.age, the names of Tennyson, Browning, Dickens,
2. Moral Purpose: The Victorian literature seems toThackeray, Macaulay, Arnold, Carlyle and Ruskin
deviate from "art for art's sake" and asserts itswill come before your mind's eye. Tennyson, like
moral purpose. Tennyson, Browning, Carlyle,Chaucer, was a national poet whose reading will
Ruskin - all were the teachers of England with theplease you by his employment of melody in
faith in their moral message to instruct the world.expression.
3. Idealism: It is often considered as an age of