Reading the headlines of today’s newspapers, one will nearly always come across an article focusing on a fight for equal rights between genders or races, the race and revolutions of countries in becoming a democracy and the uprising of societies against constricting governments. However during the Victorian Era, a structured hierarchical environment was not only accepted but was considered to be of the upmost importance in society’s continuous survival.Victorian Literature allows readers to gain a critical insight into the class and social hierarchy of the era, by outlining the extensive amount of guidelines and restrictions applicable to each class and therefore how these affected their attitudes and general existence. The poems ‘Rules and Regulations’ (1845) and ‘A Boys Poem’(1857) both reveal the restrictions applicable to children in particular, and the manner in which they were forced to conduct themselves, essentially defeating the essence of childhood.Oscar Wilde satirically exposes through his legendary, ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’ (1899) the structure of classes and the attitudes of those who sought to rebel against the societal norms.
‘Rules and Regulations’, published in 1845, outlines the importance of what was considered ‘proper’ social etiquette within the Victorian Era. It lists the extensive amount of rules forced upon children in order to guide them upon what was considered a socially approved yet rather stringent way of life.Lewis Carroll remarks on the many rules and restrictions that were enforced upon the children of the Victorian Era. Although this poem may have been very well used by parents as a rhyme to teach children about certain social situations and conventions, there is definitely an underlying tone of sarcasm used by Carroll, commenting on how frivolous and insignificant these rules are when looking at the entire perspective. These rules and regulations are presented in a child-like manner, with the invited reading being the education of beginners in the ways of the upper class.
Carroll is also reflecting upon how adults of the time, belonging to these upper classes, so often thought themselves above the rules, despite the fact their everyday routine was completely dominated by them, and that occasionally they needed reminding of the rules also. The phrase “starve your canaries, believe in fairies” looks somewhat out of place in a poem specifically designed to educate oneself strictly and seriously. Although this phrase oes not seem to conform at all to the poem’s purpose, the reader can deduce Carroll’s motives, to remind society on the importance of occasional carelessness and make believe, in an era where childhood was stolen from all classes. While the children of poverty suffered from a different loss of youth, the children of the higher classes were often swept away into a world of strict social structure, before any were able to enjoy these crucial stages of development. Alexander Smith also reflects upon the often missing childhood of the Victorian Age.
He reveals through ‘A boys poem’, published in 1857, the occasional pleasures of his own working-class childhood, dispersed amongst the usual poverty, depression, sickness and rigorous working conditions that most of the lower classes endured by the power of the restrictions placed upon them. Smith, with the use of visual imagery, paints a vivid picture of a working class neighborhood, in which its inhabitants very rarely have reason to be happy or cheerful of anything. Smith is able to find beauty even in his rather depressing situation and very effectively writes about this, giving us an insight into his view of the world around him.This to an extent reveals a certain amount about the attitudes of the lower or working classes, who despite life’s troubles and complications, continued to plough on and appreciate the little things, the occasional bright glimpses of happiness or hope. Not only does the content of this poem disclose the aspects of a working class life, but when reading from an author centered approach, Smith himself reveals the restrictions placed upon his class were occasionally broken to allow someone of a lower class to intellectually succeed and eventually achieve a higher status.
Being born into the working class, usually meant poor or no education, which then in turn meant the child was forced to work as part of the laboring class. This would commence from a young age and then continue into adulthood, most people probably receiving little or no pay. What began was a constant and continuous cycle of poverty that for most was impossible to break. Despite deriving from the lower classes, Smith has been fortunate enough to not only be educated but also knowledgeable enough to know not to waste it.This autobiographical piece was presumably quite purposeful during its time, a tribute by Smith to those of the working classes and an almost rebellion against the system that enveloped society. It continues to be relevant today, serving to prove just how difficult the situations were of the lower class, as a result of the restrictions and confines enforced upon them.
It demonstrates how rarely someone was able to break through this structure and succeed despite their upbringing and origins, but also the ability it gave them to appreciate the joy and beauty around them in life.Oscar Wilde’s, ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’, published in 1899, is a further example of a detailed, complicated and meticulously structured social environment, in which every character understands his/her place, responsibilities and limitations. He presents the upper classes as proud, pretentious and obsessed completely with maintaining their status, so much so they will essentially do anything in order to suppress signs of rebellion.They are absorbed in their own shallow views and restrictions, but will so often contradict them, in order to suit themselves and their situation. This can be seen by the act of Bunburying, something both Algernon and Jack utilize in order to excuse themselves from tiresome social commitments. Wilde also delves into the attitudes held by the upper classes towards those of a lower social status.
They do not see any value or worth of the classes beneath them, other than to make their own lives easier or set the perfect example of the social and political views of the era.Algernon comments, “…Really, if the lower orders don’t set us a good example, what on earth is the use of them? They seem, as a class, to have absolutely no sense of moral responsibility. ” The restrictions of Algernon’s class have appeared to not constrict him entirely, as he feels perfectly able to ‘speak his mind’ about societal norms and the structure in which he feels to be useful for only his beneficiary purposes. The views of the upper classes varied, but some were so extreme in their differences, tension and serious clashes arose.
Cecily: Sugar? Gwendolen: No thank you. Sugar is not fashionable any more. (Cecily ignores her and puts four sugars into her cup). ”Cecily and Gwendolyn represent many binary opposites, while also both belonging to the same class, a true uniqueness rarely seen in a society whose inhabitants were so strictly confined. Cecily lacking a traditional family, and far less worldly, happens to be far more passionate and educated of the world around her. She represents a true binary opposition to the onsensical yet considered sophisticated Gwendolyn, who is far more educated in the manipulative ways of society.
Both women have been confined by the class structure to certain extents; however their attitude greatly differs as does their general approach to the confines placed upon them, Gwendolyn being far more accepting of her situation and class than Cecily.Oscar Wilde once remarked, “I suppose society is wonderfully delightful. To be in it is merely a bore. But to be out of it is simply a tragedy.
Wilde has quite succinctly summarized the essence of Victorian society, its class structure and the attitudes of those fortunate enough to be included in the higher classes and the utter misfortune of those belonging to the working classes. Wilde, Carroll and Smith are only a fraction of those authors who have not only contributed to literary history but have also provided perhaps unintentionally an essential first hand insight into the Victorian Era. One can read literature and take almost nothing away from it, continuing as they were with the same perspective on life.In the case of Victorian Literature however, it would seem quite near impossible to read anything without newfound knowledge being gained. While being witty, subtle and occasionally hard to comprehend, the class structure of the era will always be present within the text. As readers, a comparison can easily be made, to the continuing fight countries face today for social justice, the restrictions applicable to the classes of society and to question, how have our attitudes truly changed?
