《英国文学史》课程作品选读（PPT讲稿，英文版）Chapter 9 The Victorian Age（1832-1901）

Chapter IX The Victorian Age 1832-1901 2021/2/23

2021/2/23 1 Chapter Ⅸ The Victorian Age 1832-1901

1. Historical background The victorian age can be roughly divided into three periods: (1)1832-1848: a time of social unrest (2)1848-1870: a period of economic prosperity and religious controversy (3)1870-1901: a period of decay of Victorian values 2021/2/23 2

2021/2/23 2 1. Historical background: The Victorian age can be roughly divided into three periods: (1) 1832-1848: a time of social unrest; (2) 1848-1870: a period of economic prosperity and religious controversy; (3) 1870-1901: a period of decay of Victorian values

2 The victorian poets Lord alfred Tennyson(1809-1892); Robert browning(1812-1889) Matthew arnold( 1822-1888) 2021/2/23 3

2021/2/23 3 2. The Victorian Poets ◼ Lord Alfred Tennyson (1809-1892); ◼ Robert Browning (1812-1889); ◼ Matthew Arnold (1822-1888)

2.1 Lord Alfred Tennyson Poet Laureate. He wrote many lyrics in memory of his friend arthur Hallam including "Break Break, Break 2021/2/23

2021/2/23 4 2.1 Lord Alfred Tennyson ◼ Poet Laureate. He wrote many lyrics in memory of his friend Arthur Hallam, including “Break, Break, Break

2.2 Robert Browning (1812-1889= “ My Last duchess” Duke of epigraph ferrara was an actual man In the 16th century the duke of this italian city arranged to marry a second after the mysterious death of his very young first wife questions: 1. What do you think happened to the duchess? 2 To whom is the duke addressing his remarks about the duchess in this poem? What is ironic about the situation 3. Why was the duke unhappy with his first Wife? What does this reveal about the duke? What does the poem's title suggest about his attitude toward women in general? 2021/2/23

2021/2/23 5 2.2 Robert Browning (1812-1889): “My Last Duchess” ◼ Duke of Epigraph Ferrara was an actual man. In the 16th century, the duke of this Italian city arranged to marry a second after the mysterious death of his very young first wife. ◼ Questions: 1. What do you think happened to the Duchess? 2. To whom is the duke addressing his remarks about the duchess in this poem? What is ironic about the situation? 3. Why was the duke unhappy with his first wife? What does this reveal about the duke? What does the poem’s title suggest about his attitude toward women in general?

3. The victorian novelists Charles dickens William Makepeace Thackeray Emily Bronte Thomas Hardy Oscar wilde 2021/2/23

2021/2/23 6 3. The Victorian novelists: ◼ Charles Dickens ◼ William Makepeace Thackeray ◼ Emily Bronte ◼ Thomas Hardy ◼ Oscar Wilde

3.1 Charles Dickens (1812-1870): Dombey and Son (1847-1848) Through the portrayal of Mr Dombey, Dickens shows the pride of the upper strata of the british bourgeoisie in the mid-19th century who considered themselves the elite of the world Dickens saw that the expansion of capitalism instead of bringing benevolence and equality of human society, produced of handful of commercial and industrial magnates And their pride of wealth, or"purse-pride, is the theme of the novel 2021/2/23

2021/2/23 7 3.1 Charles Dickens (1812-1870): ◼ Dombey and Son (1847-1848) Through the portrayal of Mr. Dombey, Dickens shows the pride of the upper strata of the British bourgeoisie in the mid-19th century, who considered themselves the elite of the world. ◼ Dickens saw that the expansion of capitalism instead of bringing benevolence and equality of human society, produced of handful of commercial and industrial magnates. ◼ And their pride of wealth, or “purse-pride”, is the theme of the novel

3.2 William Makepeace Thackeray (1811-1863) Born in Calcutta, india; the son of a collector in the east India Companys service Father died when he was three sent home to england in 1817 Educated at Charterhouse Trinity College, Cambridge. Left in 1830 without taking a degree In 1831, he entered the middle temple to learn laws, showing little interest 1833, lost all his fortune due to the collapse of the indian agency-houses 1834-1837: lived in Paris, making a meagre living from journalism During the 1840s, Thackeray began to make his name as a writer. 2021/2/23

2021/2/23 8 3.2 William Makepeace Thackeray (1811-1863) ◼ Life: ◼ Born in Calcutta, India; the son of a Collector in the East India Company’s service. ◼ Father died when he was three; sent home to England in 1817. ◼ Educated at Charterhouse, Trinity College, Cambridge. Left in 1830 without taking a degree. ◼ In 1831, he entered the Middle Temple to learn laws, showing little interest. ◼ 1833, lost all his fortune due to the collapse of the Indian agency-houses ◼ 1834-1837: lived in Paris, making a meagre living from journalism. ◼ During the 1840s, Thackeray began to make his name as a writer

Thackeray Vanity Fair, A Nove/without a Hero a classic social satire a The writer 's intention was not to portray individuals, but the bourgeois and aristocratic society as a whole a Bunyan: a fair, wherein should be sold all sorts of vanity. Therefore at this fair are all such merchandise sold as 2021/2/23

2021/2/23 9 Thackerary: Vanity Fair: A Novel without a Hero ◼ A classic social satire; ◼ The writer’s intention was not to portray individuals, but the bourgeois and aristocratic society as a whole. ◼ Bunyan: “a fair, wherein should be sold all sorts of vanity… Therefore at this fair are all such merchandise sold, as…

3.3 The bronte sisters Emily Bronte: Wuthering Heights Emily' s only novel, which was published in December of 1847 under the pseudonym ellis Bell. It did not gain immediate success, Emily Bronte died of tuberculosis a year after Wuthering Heights was published, on December 19, 1848 Theme: Race/Class/Education i Revenger Supernatural 2021/2/23

2021/2/23 10 3.3 The Bronte Sisters ◼ Emily Bronte: Wuthering Heights ◼ Emily’s only novel, which was published in December of 1847 under the pseudonym Ellis Bell. It did not gain immediate success, Emily Brontëdied of tuberculosis a year after Wuthering Heights was published, on December 19, 1848, ◼ Theme: Race/Class/Education ; Revenge; Supernatural