Victorian Social History
Altick, Richard D. Victorian People and Ideas: A Companion for the Modern Reader of Victorian Literature. New York: W. W. Norton & Company. 1973. Print. http://www.consuls.org:80/record=b2850829~S16
Altick’s book analyzes the social and cultural crises affecting the Victorian period that writers such as Carlyle, Dickens and Arnold grappled with. This includes ideas of utilitarianism, changing class structure, and the rapidly evolving discourse and ideas surrounding religion, science, marriage and gender. Although this book was written about the British Victorians, it is invaluable for providing the background history that incited the Progressive movements for reform on both sides of the Atlantic. Specific issues related to our class include women’s rights and suffrage, problems with marriage, women’s property laws and general social reform that affected both Britain and America.
Altick’s book analyzes the social and cultural crises affecting the Victorian period that writers such as Carlyle, Dickens and Arnold grappled with. This includes ideas of utilitarianism, changing class structure, and the rapidly evolving discourse and ideas surrounding religion, science, marriage and gender. Although this book was written about the British Victorians, it is invaluable for providing the background history that incited the Progressive movements for reform on both sides of the Atlantic. Specific issues related to our class include women’s rights and suffrage, problems with marriage, women’s property laws and general social reform that affected both Britain and America.