The Victorian Age—critical realism in English literature.ppt

The Victorian Age — critical realism in English literature Historical background Critical realists Historical Background1836-1901 The thirties and forties The fifties and sixties The last three decades The thirties and forties Rapid economic development and serious social problems economic development: workshop of the world a world power Social problems widespread poverty and wretchedness working conditions unimaginably brutal The Chartist Movement 宪章运动 1836-1848 The fifties and sixties A time of prosperity and relative stability Characterized by prosperity, respectability and material progress A national spirit of earnestness, respectability, modesty and domesticity—Victorian values The last three decades Decline of the British Empire and the Victorian values Two challenges: Germany: industry and military America: trade and commerce Ideological background People’s religious convictions are shaken rapid development of science and technology, new inventions and new discoveries Darwin’s The Origin of Species (1859) Victorian values of earnestness, respectability and modesty Utilitarianism (功利主义) Victorian literature Novels: critical realism Prose: Thomas Charlyle, Matthew Arnold Poetry: Robert Browning, Alfred Tennyson IV. Some Characteristics of Realism 1. Realism can be defined as the depiction of real life as most people live and know it. ◆ concerned with the actual, the average, the ordinary, and the typical ◆ dealing with factories and slums, workmen, bosses, corrupt politicians, petty criminals, and social outcasts ◆ writing about reformers, political agitators, shopkeepers, businessmen, the rising middle class and slum dwellers Critical realism (realist)(批判现实主义) Charles Dickens, William Makepeace Thackeray, Bronte sisters, George Eliot Give a truthful picture of the capitalist England Critical of the social reality of their day (social injustices and vices, money