Victorian novels were a mirror of their society. In 'Jane Eyre', the position of women was explored. Jane, as an independent - minded woman, faced many challenges in a male - dominated society. 'Middlemarch' by George Eliot delved deep into the social fabric of provincial life. It showed how gossip, small - town politics, and the expectations placed on individuals, especially women in marriage, were all part of the Victorian social landscape. These novels often had characters from different social strata, and through their interactions, the readers could understand the values, prejudices, and power dynamics of Victorian society.
Famous Victorian novels reflected the society of the time in various ways. For example, in 'Oliver Twist', Dickens showed the harshness of the workhouse system and the extreme poverty that many faced. The class differences were also evident, like in 'Great Expectations' where Pip's journey from a poor boy to a gentleman - in - training exposed the rigid class structure.
Many famous Victorian novels, such as 'Wuthering Heights', showed the influence of the rural and industrial divide. The wild and desolate moors in the novel can be seen as a contrast to the emerging industrial areas. The family structures and the concept of inheritance, which were very important in Victorian society, were also prominent in these novels. In 'The Picture of Dorian Gray', the moral and social decadence that was perhaps lurking beneath the seemingly proper Victorian facade was explored. The novels were not just stories but a way to comment on and understand the complex and changing Victorian society.
The economic aspects were reflected too. Marriages were often seen as economic arrangements. In the context of 'Romance of Lust', a character's lust might be intertwined with the idea of marrying into wealth or a better social position. So, lust was not just a matter of personal desire but also related to the economic and social survival and advancement within the Victorian social structure.
Classic Victorian romance novels were like a mirror of the society. The class differences were a big part of it. In 'North and South', the divide between the industrial north and the genteel south was a major factor in the relationship between the main characters. The Victorian era was also a time of moral values, and these were portrayed in the novels. Love was often intertwined with ideas of duty and respectability, as can be seen in many of the classic Victorian romance novels.
The reading habits of male characters in Victorian novels were also related to class. Upper - class men had access to a wider range of books and could afford to read for pleasure. Middle - class men were more likely to read for self - improvement. This reflects the hierarchical structure of Victorian society and how different classes had different priorities regarding reading and knowledge acquisition.
Victorian wife discipline stories were a mirror of the society's values at that time. The society placed great importance on propriety and respectability. Wives were seen as the keepers of the home's moral tone. So, in these stories, when a wife deviated from the expected norms, whether it was in her speech, actions, or associations, the husband's discipline was a way to bring her back in line with what society deemed appropriate. It also showed the lack of agency women had in a legal and social sense compared to men. They were often at the mercy of their husbands' decisions regarding discipline, which was just an extension of the overall gender inequality in Victorian society.
These love stories also showed the role of women in society. Women in Victorian love stories were usually expected to be demure and proper. Their love was often influenced by the need to find a suitable husband for financial and social stability. For instance, in many novels, a woman's marriage was seen as a way to secure her family's future or her own social standing. This was clearly seen in the way female characters made decisions regarding love.
Arabella reflects Victorian society in several ways. Her behavior and values are shaped by the strict social norms. For example, she adheres to the gender roles of the time. Women in Victorian society were expected to be submissive and domestic, and Arabella would likely exhibit these traits. Also, her social interactions, like attending balls and social gatherings, show the importance of social hierarchy and class distinction in Victorian times.
In 'The Canterbury Tales', the different stories told by the pilgrims reflect various aspects of medieval society like the social hierarchy. The knight represents the chivalric class, while the miller shows the working - class with their own set of values. 'Don Quixote' also reflects society. It shows the contrast between the idealized world in Don Quixote's mind and the real, often harsh world of 17th - century Spain, highlighting the gap between dreams and reality.
1926 novels often reflected the post - war disillusionment. For example, in 'The Sun Also Rises', the characters' hedonistic lifestyle and lack of clear purpose showed the lost feeling of the generation. They were trying to find meaning after the destruction of the war.
Victorian arranged marriages in novels also reflect the limited role of women in that society. Women often had little say in their marriages and were expected to be submissive. In these novels, we can see the female characters either conforming to or struggling against these expectations. For instance, in some novels, the female protagonist may initially resist an arranged marriage but then come to accept it due to social pressure.
They often reflected the post - Civil War society. For instance, issues like race and slavery were likely to be themes. Novels might have shown the struggles of newly freed slaves or the tensions between different racial groups.