英国文学史维多利亚时期文学背景及特点.ppt

The Victorian Age  Objectives 1. To have the basic knowledge about the brief history of the Victorian Period. 2. To know something about the critical realist 3. To be familiar with Charles Dickens’ writing styles and major contribution to English literature. Historical Background -- began with the passage of the Reform Bill in 1832 and closed at the end of the Boer War in 1902. Victoria ； the queen Victoria’s accession in 1837 and her death in 1901. She ruled for 63 years, the longest in English history. The period has been generally regarded as one of the most glorious in the English history. Queen Elizabeth (1533-1603) and Queen Victoria (1819-1901). The English people were proud of two queens in their history: Queen Elizabeth (1533-1603) and Queen Victoria (1819-1901). There are similarities between the two queens. First, both queens were on the throne for a long period of time, Queen Elizabeth being on the throne for over forty years (1558-1603) and Queen Victoria more than 60 years (1837-1901). Secondly, during their long reigns England developed rapidly both politically and economically. During the reign of Queen Elizabeth, capitalism first took its shape, and the small island country defeated the strong naval power Spain in 1588. During the long reign of Queen Victoria, England grew the workshop of the world as well as its financial and political center. Thirdly, during their reigns, literature flourished. In the age of Queen Elizabeth drama flourished and with it there was the greatest dramatist William Shakespeare. whereas in the age of Queen Victoria, novel flourished and with it a galaxy of brilliant novelists appeared on the literary scene. The Victorian age can be roughly divided into three periods the early period 1832-1854, a time of social unrest; the middle period 1855-1879, a period of economic prosperity and religious controversy; the last period 1880-1901, a period of decay of Victorian values. It can be divided