A sense of lingering despair is also common. The buildings themselves are often described as gloomy and haunted. The ghosts might be heard crying or moaning, which represents the unhappiness that once filled the workhouse. For instance, the sound of chains dragging could be a sign of a former inmate who was chained for misbehaving. Another common thing is the cold spots. It's believed that the ghosts draw the heat from the area, creating cold spots in the old workhouse buildings.
One common theme is exploitation. Workers were made to work long hours for very little pay. Another is the inhumane living conditions. They had to live in cramped, unhygienic spaces.
Well, I know a workhouse ghost story where a young girl who was separated from her family in the workhouse passed away from illness. Her ghost is said to be seen in the courtyard, looking for her family. People claim to have seen a faint figure of a girl in a tattered dress, with a sad look on her face. It's a very poignant story that reflects the harshness of the workhouse environment.
There were workhouses where the food was barely enough to keep the workers alive. It was often of very low quality, like watery gruel day in and day out. The workers had no choice but to consume it as they were not allowed to leave to find other sources of food. And on top of that, the long working hours in harsh conditions made their lives a living hell.
Victorian society influenced the ghost story in many ways. The strict social norms and moral codes of the time were often reflected in the stories. For example, if someone broke a moral code, they might be haunted. Also, the class differences were shown, with the wealthy often having their own secrets and the poor being more in touch with the supernatural due to their lack of education.
Yes. Dracula is a classic example of a Victorian novel. It incorporates elements such as Gothic horror, moral ambiguity, and exploration of social norms, which were common in Victorian-era writing.
Yes, Frankenstein is considered a Victorian novel. It was written during the Victorian era and reflects many of the social and cultural themes of that time.
Yes, it is. Villette is set in the Victorian era and showcases elements such as moral and social issues, complex characters, and a detailed exploration of human emotions, which are common in Victorian novels.
It reflects the Victorian era through its settings. The use of decaying mansions and dark alleys in the city reflects the contrast between the wealthy and the poor in Victorian society. Also, the fog - covered landscapes were a common feature of Victorian cities, which added to the sense of mystery in the Gothic fiction.
Victorian literature often features complex moral and social themes. For example, many works explored the class differences and the struggles of the poor. Dickens' 'Oliver Twist' is a great example, showing the harsh life of orphans in a Victorian society.