Understanding Victorian Literature: Context & Concepts

In this video, I provide an overview of the historical context and key concepts of Victorian English Literature, which pretty much every English Lit student will encounter at some point in their studies. Think Dickens, (George) Eliot, Hardy, Tennyson, the Brownings and the Rossettis.
If the Renaissance was the golden age of English drama, and the Romantic era that of English poetry, then the Victorian period is when the English novel really came into its own. But the reasons for why literature flourished during this time may be quite surprising and... non-literary.
Make sure you watch through the whole video, as I'll also be illustrating many of the ideas with close reference to some of the most famous, widely studied Victorian works.
00:50 - Context of Victorian Literature: Pax Britannica, rise of the middle-class & mass readership
04:17 - Concept #1: Realism
10:24 - Concept #2: Public vs private selves
16:24 - Concept #3: Faith vs doubt
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[@hamnaali4977]

Thank you so much for taking your effort and time to help students around the world! This was very informative, and I learned so much from this video.

[@JenChan]

You are so welcome - thank you for watching, and for taking the time out to share your feedback. I appreciate you :)

[@giuliatoffoli9271]

Hi Jen!!!! I love your videos so much they are so interesting and i wanted to say absolutely thank you for helping me get 128/130 and a 9 in english literature despite it being my least favourite subject - you definitely helped me like it a lot more than i did before: THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!

[@JenChan]

Oh my! So chuffed to hear this - you've absolutely made my day. Thank you so much for letting me know that the videos have been helpful. And well done on doing so well, Giulia - you should be massively proud of yourself 🥰

[@juliejulie4931]

Quite informative and helpful!!!Thanks a lot!!!

[@JenChan]

Glad to hear it - thanks for watching!

[@shirleyy511]

Watching this the day before my literature exam - really helped me with Wildes the importance of being earnest too! Tysm for your amazing videos these helped me sooooo much❤❤❤❤

[@JenChan]

Yay love to hear it - thanks for letting me know girl! ❤️

[@dsfsddsfdfsfsdcoolkid]

Hi miss!! It's the day before my first english literature exam and I just wanted to say how much you've helped with your videos, they are really the best english videos on youtube!! They're also fun to watch when I don't have exams so thank you :)

[@JenChan]

Love love love to hear that and thanks for making my day! Best of luck with your exams xxx