19th+Century+British+Literature

//**19th Century British Literature**//

19th Century Britain was a time and place for great growth in literature. The work from this period of time and this place still greatly influences literature today. This time period began early in the 1800's and continued through to the turn of the century. This time period was greatly influenced by the continuation of the decline of the British Empire, the industrial revolution also greatly influenced the literature of this time and place. Poverty was rampant in 19th century Britain and this also greatly influenced the British literary works of this time. Science-Fiction was just starting to gain popularity with the publishing of The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells. Some of the most classic stories that we have all heard from a young age were published during this time, such as The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling and A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Two major themes of 19th century British literature include the idea that idividuallism is bad and innocence in the least suspected places. Both themes are exemplified in many works of the 19th century. The idea of indivisualism being bad is brought to life in //Oliver Twist// by Charles Dickens. This is due to the fact that capitalism was thriving during the industrial revolution. Innocence in the least suspected places is brought to life in //The Jungle Book// by Rudyard Kipling, //Christmas Carol// by Charles Dickens, and //Oliver Twist// by Charles Dicken. Innocence in unsuspected places is a strong them in these works because of the time. It was the poverty stricken era between modern times and colonial times. Not many people would actually be suspected of being good in such a transitional phase, these works showed different situations and showed the innocence of the characters involved. These two themes molded 19th century literature during a time of great growth and the industrial revolution is common in most works of 19th century Britain, It influenced literature heavily because it was such a transitional time and in retrospect was one of the most influential times in history, it still has a hand in almost everything today. If the industrial revolution never happened things would not be nearly as modernized as they are today. Some minor recurring things in 19th century British literature could be monsters and transition. It could be said that monsters are a recurring theme in 19th century British literature because almost every work had a bad guy. Wheter it be Fagin in //Oliver Twist//, Scrooge at the beginning of a //Christmad Carol,// Dracula in //Dracula,// or the aliens in //War of the Worlds.// They may not all have been "monsters" but their attiudes makes it alright to call them that because they were such horrible, hateful people. Transition was also a valid theme because in all these works there is change going on. Scrooge becomes a decent human being by the end of //A Christmas Carol, Oliver Twist// exemplifies change during the industrial revolution. Major authors include Charles Dickens, H.G. Wells, Robert Browning, Rudyard Kipling, Bram Stoker, Charlotte Bronte, John Henry Newman Elizabeth Browning Dickens, Charles. //Oliver Twist.// Charles Dickens was significant because of his explorations into the human mind the need for actual thought when it came to his works.(Hollington) In this novel Dickens shows the innocence of people in a terrible place.
 * //Overview://**
 * //Major Themes://**
 * //Minor Themes://**
 * //Major Authors://**
 * //Annotated Bibliography for 19th Century British Literature://**

Dickens, Charles. //Tale of Two Cities.// Charles Dickens was significant because of his explorations into the human mind the need for actual thought when it came to his works.(Hollington)

Newman, John Henry. //Apology For His Life.// Newman's work was significant due to his deep thoughts on the expansion of religion. Newman became a Cardinal later in life.

Browning, Robert, //Dramatic Romances and Lyrics//. Browning was significant because of his innovativeness with respect to poetic form and attempting to vindicate the grotesque elements in his work.(Chesterton)

Browning, Robert. //Men and Women//. Browning was significant because of his innovativeness with respect to poetic form and attempting to vindicate the grotesque elements in his work.(Chesterton)

Browning, Elizabeth. //Sonnets From the Portugese// Browning was significant due to her use of victorian religion and ideals in her work.(Stone)

Bronte, Charlotte. //Jane Eyre//. Bronte's work set off a watershed year that revolutionized the Victorian novel.(Kaye)

Bronte, Charlotte. //Shirley.// Bronte's work set off a watershed year that revolutionized the Victorian novel.(Kaye)

Stoker, Bram. //Dracula//. Dracula is one of the most popular works of monster literature of all time. Dracula is the basis for countless monster movies and probably just as many works of literature.

Wells, HG. //The War of the Worlds//. Wells is significant because in the early 20th century, a reading of War of the Worlds set the nation into a wideset panic in fear of alien invasion. His work was also some of the earliest Science Fiction.

Kipling, Rudyard. //The Jungle Book//. Kipling is significant due to the widespread popularity of his work.

Dickens, Charles. //Christmas Carrol//. Charles Dickens was significant because of his explorations into the human mind the need for actual thought when it came to his works.(Hollington) This work is significant due to its popularity and the fact that it is a timeless Christmas classic. Hollington, Mike.// Time in Little Dorrit. // Chesterton, G.K. //An excerpt from his Robert Browning.// Kaye, Richard. A good woman on five thousand pounds: Jane Eyre, Vanity Fair, and literary rivalry. Stone, Marjorie. Victorian Poetry.
 * //Works Cited://**