Concetti Chiave
- The Victorian Age spanned from 1832 to 1901, marked by both progress and social unrest, with Victorian values emphasizing hard work and respectability.
- Victorians dealt with social issues like poverty and prostitution through a mix of philanthropy and repressed sexuality, supported by Evangelical ideals.
- Key ideologies influencing the Victorian era included Utilitarianism, Darwinism, and Empiricism, shaping public opinion and societal norms.
- The American Civil War (1861-1865) was pivotal, leading to the abolition of slavery but not full equality, amidst rapid technological and industrial growth.
- The New England Renaissance (1830-1865) in literature emphasized unity, nature, and a connecting over-soul, reflecting societal diversity.
The Victorian Age
The Victorian Age began in 1832 (whit the “First reform act”) and ended in 1901; it was a composite age: there were progress and stability, but also injustice and social rest. The Victorians encouraged a code of values based on hard work, respectability, severity and prudery. Then philanthropy was a wide phenomenon, while sexuality was largely repressed, prostitution and poverty were social evils, so the Victorian made a “compromise”: they followed the Evangelicalism and they had an idealized vision of their society. The public opinion was influenced by Utilitarianism (“the greatest good for the greatest number”), Darwinism (the man is the result of a process of evolution) and Empiricism (progress comes from mental energy).
The Political Situation in America
The political situation in America was tense because of the division between the North and the South, especially about the question of slavery. In this context, the Civil War broke out in 1861, ending in 1865 with the abolition of slavery, even if it didn’t grant the blacks equality. 
Then, in the second half of the eighteenth century there was an exceptional technological and industrial development and America became the most modern country in the world.
The New England Renaissance
In the 19th century in literature developed a movement called the “new England Renaissance” (1830-1865). The main values of the period were: the unity between oneness and multiplicity (like the melting pot in the society), the contact with nature, the over-soul that linked everything together.
Domande da interrogazione
- What were the key values and social issues during the Victorian Age?
- How did the political situation in America evolve during the 19th century?
- What were the main themes of the New England Renaissance in literature?
The Victorian Age, spanning from 1832 to 1901, was marked by values such as hard work, respectability, severity, and prudery. Despite progress and stability, the era faced social issues like injustice, poverty, and prostitution. Victorians often made compromises by adhering to Evangelicalism and maintaining an idealized vision of society.
The political situation in America was characterized by tension between the North and South, primarily over slavery, leading to the Civil War from 1861 to 1865. The war ended with the abolition of slavery, although it did not ensure equality for Black people. The latter half of the century saw significant technological and industrial advancements, establishing America as a modern nation.
The New England Renaissance, occurring from 1830 to 1865, emphasized themes such as the unity between oneness and multiplicity, akin to the societal melting pot, a deep connection with nature, and the concept of an over-soul that interconnected all things.
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