The Victorian Age as an Age of Doubt, Conflict, and Resilience

The Victorian Age: A Rapid Transition

Hugh Walker commended the Victorian age as ‘the age of property, balance and order’ in "The Literature of the Victorian Era", and few would question the validity of this statement. The Victorian reign had given England political peace and this was conducive to social progress. After a penetrating study of the state of men’s mind would reveal the painful feeling of doubt, conflict and dissatisfaction that seethed beneath the veneer of ‘democracy’ and ‘prosperity’. Indeed the spate of social reform may have been only a consequence of such dissatisfaction. Today British Historian Arnold Joseph Toynbee’s phrase for the Victorian Age 'an age of conflict and doubt’- has attained the status of a final statement.

In fact, the Victorian Age, spanning from 1837 to 1901, was a period of profound transformation and transition in various aspects of British society. It was also a period of resilience in the face of these challenges. Throughout this era, the prevailing tensions and uncertainties gave rise to conflicts and internal struggles within Victorian society. However, it is important to acknowledge the resilience demonstrated by individuals and movements that emerged during this time, as they sought to address these doubts and conflicts and bring about positive change.

Social Inequality and Industrialization

Queen Victoria

The social inequality brought about by industrialization created immense challenges and conflicts in Victorian society. However, it also prompted acts of resilience as individuals and reform movements fought for social justice and equality. Activists such as Robert Owen and Annie Besant championed workers' rights and advocated for fairer working conditions. The collective resilience demonstrated by these movements led to important social reforms and improvements in the lives of the working class.

The Victorian concept of happiness, at least in the initial stages, hinged upon material prosperity by industrial revolutions. Ever since Adam Smith had landed such materialism in his "Wealth of Nations", and men like Mill and  Jeremy Bentham had rounded its rough edges by their concepts of’ utilitarianism’, this capitalist nation had gained currency. Capitalism was the driving force so long as it catered to ‘the greatest good of the greatest number’, But this complete materialism was not totally acceptable to most, and three eminent personalities in particular ----- Carlyle, Ruskin and Arnold ------ raised their representative voice of protest against such gross materialism.

Carlyle launched the assault against such commercial goals as the sole and of life. So disgusted was he with the present that’s in his "On Heroes and Hero – Worship" and "Past and Present".  he would hurlk back to the heroic past rather than remain the timidly mercantile present. Even the ‘Dark of the Medieval times' was better than such scientific and commercial enlightenment. John Ruskin, famous art critic and social thinker criticized the of Mammon, not only because he felt like Carlyle that ‘cash – nexus’ was harming the spiritual nation between men, but also because he realized deadening effect on art. Co – operation and at completion was his watchword. Basically a socialist not only Escape rejected the accepted theism of day but in unto thus last also pointed out that ‘wealth is not life’.  This was a direct refutation of Adam Smith. The third of the triumvirate was the poet and reformer Mathew Arnold- How he lay emphasis on’ culture’ as ‘sweetness and light’! He felt that material progress and prosperity was inimical to such ‘sweetness’ for materialism made man vulgar, selfish and unimaginative, in "Culture and Anarchy" he criticized the lowest classes as the ‘populace’, the middle classes as the ‘Philistines’ and the upper classes as ‘Barbarians’. He felt that the unnatural desire for money was the only evil. 

Scientific Advancements and Religious Challenges

The clash between scientific advancements and religious beliefs during the Victorian Age was undoubtedly a source of doubt and conflict. However, it also sparked resilience as individuals and communities worked to reconcile these seemingly opposing forces. Some religious thinkers sought to reinterpret religious texts in light of new scientific knowledge, while others found ways to integrate scientific discoveries into their faith. The resilience displayed by those who sought a harmonious coexistence between science and religion contributed to the intellectual and spiritual development of Victorian society.

Now, the Victorian Age may appear to have been assured of religions steadfastness, there were a considerable number of replies. Evangelism came to the forefront with the rise of the middle classes. These Evangelists regarded self – seeking and money – making as against the spirit of Christianity. It later led to the great oxford also against were Evangelism, although less concerned with social questions, Cardinal Newman, one of the of the Oxford Movement, condemned the uncouples of the existing liberal political economy as ‘a categorical contradiction of our Lord’, this movement, too, created, deep influences in Victorian society. For the first time, also, Christianity took on a socialistic hue.

Further, the doubt lingering in the Victorian mind was further aggravated by Darwin’s On the Origin of the Species(1859). Darwin propounded that man was created not by a miraculous act of God as depicted in the Biblical Genesis but by a process of gradual evolution. This biological theory thoroughly subverted the tenets of Christianity and engineered those Christians who did not attended logic. The evidence of provided by Darwin woeful and the sense of religious faith was gravely shame .The theory that Christ was born to redeem man’s Fall was patently false since according to this theory there could have been no Fall.

Imperialism and Colonialism

The era of imperialism and colonialism presented numerous doubts and conflicts regarding the ethical implications of empire. However, it also saw acts of resilience as individuals and organizations worked towards a more equitable and compassionate approach to imperialism. Figures like Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore in the later halves in the colony advocated for peaceful resistance and promoted dialogue between colonizers and the colonized. Their resilience in the face of oppressive colonial systems laid the foundation for decolonization movements and ultimately shaped the course of history.

As the imperialism and colonialism benefit capitalist,  the final blow came  from Marx may be the final of the crucifixion. His "Communist Manifesto" (1848) asked all workless to unite against their masters since they were mere exploiters. The capitalists, through their control of men, money and management reaped profits which properly belonged to the works. The workless were next only at a substance level to increase the profits and also to keep the worked perpetually dependent upon their masters. The theory was very logically given in his "Das Capital" (1568). Further, Marx preached not a gradual change but revolution armed violence was the only means of ridding socially of a monstrous capitalism. It spots the capitalists out of all complacent.

Thus, the material prosperity and democratic reforms only enhanced the statesmen lingering in the Victorian mind. Democracy never reached the necessary level of adult franchise for all, and the Victorian materialism was proved to take ‘not enough’ with religion, politics, and economy in question, the Victorian had nothing to hold on to it.

Gender Roles and Women's Rights

The restrictive gender roles imposed during the Victorian era were undoubtedly a source of doubt and conflict. However, pioneering women challenged societal norms and fought for their rights. Figures like Florence Nightingale, Elizabeth Garrett Anderson, and Emmeline Pankhurst exhibited remarkable resilience as they pushed for advancements in education, healthcare, and suffrage. Their tenacity and determination paved the way for significant progress in women's rights, leaving a lasting impact on Victorian society and beyond.

Moral and Social Hypocrisy

The pervasive moral hypocrisy of Victorian society created internal conflicts and doubts. However, it also prompted acts of resilience as writers, artists, and thinkers critically examined and challenged these contradictions. Authors such as Charles Dickens, Elizabeth Gaskell, and Oscar Wilde used their literary works to expose societal hypocrisies and advocate for social change. Their resilience in confronting and questioning the prevailing moral standards contributed to a more nuanced understanding of Victorian society.

Conclusion

In summary, while the Victorian Age was undoubtedly an age of doubt and conflict, it was also an era marked by resilience. Individuals, movements, and thinkers demonstrated remarkable strength in the face of these challenges, seeking to reconcile conflicting ideologies, fight for social justice, challenge gender norms, advocate for decolonization, and expose societal hypocrisies. The resilience exhibited during this period not only shaped the trajectory of Victorian society but also continues to inspire and inform contemporary discussions on social, cultural, and intellectual transformation.

Ardhendu De

Ref:

1. Neilson, F. (1955). Arnold Toynbee’s “Study of History.” The American Journal of Economics and Sociology, 14, 1–77. http://www.jstor.org/stable/3484491   

2. The Literature Of The Victorian Era : Hugh Walker : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive. (n.d.). Internet Archive. https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.274246

 3. ALBERT. (2000). History of English Literature (Fifth Edition) [English]. OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS.
4. A history of English literature : Compton-Rickett, Arthur, 1869-1937 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive. (n.d.). Internet Archive. https://archive.org/details/historyofenglish00comprich