The Victorian Age
Charlotte Bronte
Though English history spanned nearly 2,000 years, more happened in the years of Queen Victoria’s reign that would change the face of Britain forever. Industrialism, women’s liberties, and imperialism were some of the topics written about during this time.
Read the introduction to the Victorian Age here.
Read Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s The Cry of the Children here
(exerpt)
Do ye hear the children weeping, O my brothers,
Ere the sorrow comes with years?
They are leaning their young heads against their mothers,
And that cannot stop their tears.
The young lambs are bleating in the meadows,
The young birds are chirping in the nest,
The young fawns are playing with the shadows,
The young flowers are blowing toward the west —
But the young, young children, O my brothers,
They are weeping bitterly!
They are weeping in the playtime of the others,
In the country of the free.
Read Elizabeth Eastlake’s “Lady Travellers” here
Read Henry Mayhew’s “The Life of a Coster Girl” here
Read J.J. Thomas’ “Froudacity” here
Watch Charlotte Bronte’s “Jane Eyre.” This is a typical example of both the Woman Question, as well as colonialism and gender ideas of the era.
Take the multiple choice quiz 10 questions for this section.
