Life inVictorian England

Background Information

on the Setting for Novels of this Era

from Create ‘n Time

A Christmas Carol and other novels by Charles Dickens

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

The Sally Lockhart Trilogy by Phillip Pullman

Some novels set in the

Victorian era

include:

Time– the

Victorian

Era Place–

England

A novel’s

setting

includes the

time and

place in

which the

novel occurs.

The Victorian Era is the time in history when England was ruled by Queen Victoria.

Queen Victoria ruled England from 1830 to 1901.

England is one of the countries that make up the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

England is located on an island off the coast of Europe in the North Atlantic Ocean.

What was

life like in

Victoria

n England

?

The Victorian Era was a time of great change in England and the world.

During this time, London became the largest city in the world, with a population of 6 million people.

Literacy became widespread, and, with technological advances, a wide variety of literary materials became available. Many people became very wealthy.

With the invention and development of the steam locomotive, transportation opportunities increased rapidly. By 1850, railway lines connected England’s major cities, easing travel and supporting the growth of commerce.

Many factories were built in London and other cities.

The shift to an industrial economy began.

With the growth of factories, slums, poverty, and unemployment also grew.

Working conditions for women and children were terrible.

Laws passed during this time improved the role of women. • Women could retain

control of their own property after marriage.

• Women could seek custody of minor children.

• Women could secure a divorce.

• Beginning in 1848, women could attend college.

• Women still could not vote.

By 1850, England was a very powerful imperial nation.

An imperial nation conquers and rules other lands. The conquered lands are colonies.

By 1870, England was in a time of great prosperity, as the greatest, most powerful nation in the world.• England’s factories produced more goods than any other nation.• The powerful British navy guarded the oceans so goods could be shipped anywhere.• British banks loaned the money needed to build factories, mines, and railroads worldwide.• English became the language of business, law, and government.

By 1870--• 25% of the world’s population was part of the British Empire.• 458 million people were ruled by Queen Victoria and her nation.• The British Empire covered 14.2 million square miles, about one-fourth of the earth’s total land area.• English became the language of business, law, and government.

“The sun never sets on the British Empire” became a popular saying.

“The sun never sets on the British Empire.”

Look at the map below and decide what you think that saying means. Territory claimed

by the British is in red.

India became “the Crown Jewel” of the British Empire.• India was extremely profitable for England.• Opium, cotton, and tea were the most profitable crops sold to markets in China and other parts of the British Empire.• The British East India Company controlled much of India, using sepoys (private mercenary police).• Between 1853 and 1880, many English people moved to India, seeking their fortunes.• Native peoples of India did not voluntarily accept British rule, but fighting among themselves enabled the British to take over India’s government.• In 1857, Queen Victoria added the title “Empress of India.”

In summary, the Victorian Era (1830-1901) was a time of great change for England and its citizens. During this time. . .• Growth in population, advances in literacy, improvements in transportation, and technological inventions sent more people to live in cities and to work in factories.• London became the largest city in the world.• Many people became very wealthy, but poverty also grew.• The role of women was slowly changing as some women entered the workforce and as women became permitted a college education.• England became the greatest and most powerful nation in the world.• England was also a vast imperial nation, with India as its “crown jewel” colony.

Transition Activities:Reflect on the information about what life was like in Victorian England.

How does this information enhance your understanding of the setting for a novel set in the Victorian Age?

What information is reflected in the setting (time and place) of the novel you are reading?

Write a paragraph describing the setting of a Victorian novel..