Concetti Chiave
- The Victorian Compromise was rooted in utilitarian philosophy, emphasizing material happiness but concealed societal negatives under a guise of respectability.
- In the 19th century, women began gaining access to higher education and professions, supported by influential works advocating for women's rights.
- Significant progress for women during the Victorian age included the establishment of women's colleges and property rights post-marriage.
- By the end of the 19th century, women entered fields like nursing, medicine, and journalism, and gained the right to vote in 1918.
- "Frankenstein" is a gothic novel marked by suspense and danger, critiquing the misuse of science as illustrated through Dr. Frankenstein's regret.
The Victorian Compromise
During the Victorian age, there was the so-called ‘’Victorian compromise’’, that came from the utilitarian philosophy; it was introduced by some philosophers, in particular by Bentham, who claimed that everything had to be judged according to its utility; the aim of this philosophy was to create a material happiness. In fact, it brought competition and explotation in society. However, the Victorian establishment refused to accept the existence of a materialistic philosophy, so it tried to cover the negative aspects of society under a veil of respectability. In fact, there was a deep strictness of a moral standards and behavior, in appearance.
What was the Condition of Women in the 19th Century?
During the 19th century, the woman condition started to improve. In particular, in the middle of this century, women started to have access to colleges and professions and they also influenced the society with their philantrophic work, thanks to the single voices of protest of Mary Wollstonecraft’s ‘’A Vindication of the Rights of woman’’ and Stuart Mill’s ‘’The Subjection of woman’’. During the Victorian age, two important steps were taken: the first colleges or women and the law, that allowed women to have a property after their marriage. At the end of the 19th century, women started to take a degree and work like nurses, doctors, or journalists. They could vote in 1918 for the first time.
Frankenstein: A Gothic and Purposeful Novel
‘’Frankenstein’’ can be defined a gothic novel, because it is characterized by an atmosphere of suspense and danger, expressed, for example, at the beginning of the text ‘’The creation of the monster’’, when Mary Shelley describes the setting and the time; they are mysterious and frightening. ‘’Frankenstein’’ can be also defined a purpose novel, because it is written to diffuse a particular idea: the criticism of the wrong use of the science; in fact sometimes it can cause horrible damages. In the text ‘’The creation of the monster’’ this is expressed by Dr. Frankenstein, who regretted he ever created a terrible corpse.
Domande da interrogazione
- What was the Victorian Compromise and its impact on society?
- Why is "Frankenstein" considered both a gothic and purposeful novel?
The Victorian Compromise was rooted in utilitarian philosophy, particularly advocated by Bentham, which emphasized judging everything by its utility to create material happiness. This led to competition and exploitation in society. However, the Victorian establishment masked these negative aspects with a facade of strict moral standards and respectability.
"Frankenstein" is deemed a gothic novel due to its suspenseful and dangerous atmosphere, exemplified in the mysterious and frightening setting of "The creation of the monster." It is also a purposeful novel, as it critiques the misuse of science, highlighting the potential for horrific consequences, as expressed through Dr. Frankenstein's regret over creating the monster.
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